Category Archives: WJBC Top Sports

Rough night for Pioneers as Class 4A #1 Sacred Heart Griffin dominates 49-7

Rough night for Pioneers as Class 4A #1 Sacred Heart Griffin dominates 49-7

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – It was a night to forget for the University High Pioneers as Sacred Heart Griffin came to the Twin Cities and picked up a 49-7 win. The number one team in Class 4A shutout the Pioneers 41-0 through the third quarter, before U-High was able to strike for it’s first…MORE

Normal West claims Chili Bowl after blanking Ironmen in Week 3

Normal West claims Chili Bowl after blanking Ironmen in Week 3

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Normal West Wildcats defense has shutout another offense this season, as West pulled off a 21-4 win over Normal Community. West went up early with a 49 yard touchdown pass from Jayden Mangruem to Matthew Marsaglia. Mangruem threw a second touchdown to Marsaglia late in the first to give…MORE

Normal West Wildcats pounce on Purple Raiders in Week 2 of high school football

Normal West Wildcats pounce on Purple Raiders in Week 2 of high school football

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Week 2 of the High School Football season featured blowouts for many local area teams, including intercity foes Normal West and Bloomington. Wildcats quarterback Jayden Mangruem led Normal West’s scoring effort with three touchdowns as the Cats shutout the Purple Raiders 46-0. West’s defense forced a safety late in the…MORE

Normal West Wildcats dismantle Champaign Central in week one of high school football

Normal West Wildcats dismantle Champaign Central in week one of high school football

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-The High School Football Extravaganza on WJBC, sponsored by CEFCU, not a bank, better, featured the Normal Community West Wildcats blanking Champaign Central 42-0. Wildcats Jayden Mangruem led the way with 68 yards through the air, also tallying 3 passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. The defense stifled the Champaign Central Maroons…MORE

ISU women’s basketball program mourns the loss of Simone Goods

ISU women’s basketball program mourns the loss of Simone Goods

By WJBC Staff NORMAL – The Illinois State women’s basketball program is mourning the loss of former Redbird player Simone Goods, who passed away on Saturday after a courageous battle with cancer. “I know I speak for our entire woman’s basketball program, and all of Redbird Nation when I say that I am beyond heartbroken…MORE

ISU women’s basketball reveals non-conference schedule

ISU women’s basketball reveals non-conference schedule

By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Illinois State University women’s basketball has announced its non-conference schedule for the upcoming season. The Redbirds will host Indianapolis in an exhibition game on Nov. 1 before opening the season on the road for the second-straight season at Dayton on Nov. 10. ISU will return to Redbird Arena for its…MORE

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…