College Notes: UIS men's basketball made progress in loss

The University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars’ exhibition men’s basketball game against Illinois-Chicago finished better than it started.

The end result was a 72-59 loss Saturday to UIC, but UIS made progress. After trailing 33-19 at the half, the Stars bounced back and outscored the Flames 40-39 in the second half.

“UIC played a zone the whole night and we didn’t get to see much in our man-to-man offense, which we really worked on,” UIS coach Kevin Gamble said. “We didn’t play bad. We just didn’t make shots."

The team was featured in an November 20, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article:
20091120-SJR-College-Notes-UIS-men.pdf

Win worth the wait for UIS women

The University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars waited and then waited some more for their first women’s basketball game of the season.

After practicing and scrimmaging against each other for more than 34 days, the Stars had their urge to play quenched Wednesday. UIS welcomed the Robert Morris University Eagles to The Recreation and Athletic Center. The end result was a 78-58 non-conference victory for the Stars.

“It felt good to finally get on the floor,” UIS sophomore guard Alex Blair said. “It was a long preseason, but it just gave us time to work harder and prepare.”

The win was featured in an November 19, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article:
20091119-SJR-Win-worth-the-wait-for-UIS.pdf

Washington's Escue Signs with UI-Springfield

Grant Escue likes to be first.

The Washington senior is one of the first recruits for the new baseball program at Illinois-Springfield. Escue signed his National Letter of Intent with UIS Thursday.

"I think I might have been one of the first guys to officially commit to the program which is unique," said Escue. "Not too many guys can say that. I think that's pretty cool. It means a lot."

Escue was featured on November 12, 2009 in a sports report on WMBD-TV in Peoria.

Watch the report online:
http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=86421

If not for Richard, Prairie Stars would be poorer

The University of Illinois Springfield men’s basketball team is depending on Richard Oruche, and the 6-foot-3 senior guard is expecting a lot from himself.

A role player last season, Oruche will look to continue to contribute but in a larger quantity.

“He was more of an energy guy last year because we had some very good players on our ballclub,” UIS coach Kevin Gamble said. “He didn’t get the time he felt he could get, but the time that he got we wanted him to come in with high energy, guard the best player and just be one of those guys that puts it all on the floor when he gets out there.”

Oruche was featured in an November 12, 2009 State Journal-Register article.

Download a PDF of the article:
20091112-SJR-If-not-for-Richard.pdf

UIS student gov't backs athletic fee increase

The University of Illinois Springfield’s move to NCAA Division II athletics got another boost Sunday night when the Student Government Association voted to support a $17 increase in the intercollegiate athletic fee paid by students.

If the increase is approved by the U of I board of trustees, UIS students next fall will be paying an athletic fee of $149 per semester, up 12.9 percent from the 2009-2010 school year.

The increase will be used to help cover equipment and travel costs for the inaugural UIS baseball team, which scheduled to compete in 2010-11.

The fee change was featured in an November 10, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article:
20091110-SJR-UIS-student-government.pdf

Area colleges: UIS volleyball finishes with victory

The University of Illinois Springfield ended the season by beating Kentucky Wesleyan 25-19, 25-14, 25-14 in a Great Lakes Valley Conference match at The Recreation and Athletic Center.

UIS won two of its last three matches to finish 11-20 overall and 2-12 in the GLVC.

Courtnee Brown led UIS with 14 kills and 10 digs, and Cayla Roberts added 10 digs. Carrie Gerberding had 36 assists and four service aces for the Prairie Stars.

The game was featured in an November 8, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article:
20091109-SJR-Area-colleges.pdf

UIS' Glogovsky gets it done on and off basketball court

Erin Glogovsky is a college sophomore, but that didn’t stop her from trick-or-treating last weekend.

It was for a good cause. Glogovsky and her teammates on the University of Illinois Springfield women’s basketball team weren’t going door-to-door wanting candy. The players collected canned goods for a Trick-Or-Eat competition with the products going to a local food bank.

Glogovsky, a 6-foot center from Gurnee, has involved herself with community service for years. At Mundelein Carmel Catholic High School, she dedicated herself to 20 service hours each semester.

Glogovsky was featured in an November 6, 2009 State Journal-Register article.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091106-SJR-UIS-Glogovsky-gets-it-don.pdf

UIS Notebook: It's all new for Gamble's Prairie Stars

Not only will the University of Illinois Springfield men’s basketball team play in a new division and a new conference this season, but the roster will have a new look.

UIS officially will move up from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 2009-10 and from the American Midwest Conference to the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

Nine of coach Kevin Gamble’s 14 players are new to the UIS Prairie Stars program.

“It was a little scary at the beginning, but I like the intensity and the effort that the guys are putting out,” Gamble said.

The team was featured in an October 31, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091031-SJR-UIS-Notebook-Gamble.pdf

Eck ends 31-year career with Prairie Stars

After 31 years, today is the first day Joe Eck is no longer with the Prairie Stars’ men’s soccer program, first with Sangamon State University and, since 1995, with the University of Illinois Springfield.

Eck, 54, announced his retirement earlier this month, citing family and employment reasons. Eck has worked at the university since 1981 and is assistant director for planning at the Department of Facilities and Services.

He said the school’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II status has “drastically increased” the paperwork associated with his part-time job as soccer coach.

Eck's story was featured in an October 26, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091026-SJR-Eck-ends-31-year-career.pdf

Sports complex plan to get national boost

Plans for a new Springfield athletic complex received a boost recently when a letter of intent was signed between organizers of the facility and an as-yet-unidentified national sports group.

The baseball and softball diamonds, soccer fields and 3,000-seat baseball stadium are proposed for 123 acres owned by Calvary Temple near Interstate 72 and Second Street. Both the Springfield Sliders and University of Illinois Springfield baseball teams have expressed preliminary interest in playing at the complex.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091026-SJR-STAR-sports-complex-announ.pdf

UIS soccer team breaks 14-game winless streak

The University of Illinois Springfield slopped its way to its first win since the season opener, beating Millikin 1-0 in a non-conference men’s soccer game Thursday night at Kiwanis Field.

It was also the first lead the Prairie Stars have taken since going ahead 1-0 against Maryville on Sept. 17, a game that ended in a 1-1 tie.

UIS upped its record to 2-13-1 while the Big Blue fell to 5-11-1. The Prairie Stars broke a 14-game winless streak dating to a 5-1 victory over Blackburn on Aug. 28.

The win was featured in an October 23, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091023-SJR-Prairie-Stars-break-14-ga.pdf

Lack of soccer wins doesn't take way Torricelli's enthusiasm

The victories haven’t been numerous in Ryne Torricelli’s collegiate soccer career.

“I’ve been watching the Prairie Stars since I was a kid,” Torricelli said. “I’ve always wanted to play here."

“This was a dream come true to play here. I’m still in Springfield, my family can watch me play, and I’m getting a good education. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Torricelli along with men's soccer coach Joe Eck were featured in an October 19, 2009 State Journal-Register article.

Download the article as a PDF.
20091019-SJR-Lack-of-wins-doesn-t-tak.pdf

UIS volleyball team gets first league win

The University of Illinois Springfield earned the first Great Lakes Valley Conference victory in program history Saturday, downing Maryville 29-27, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22.

UIS (7-13 overall, 1-7 in the GLVC) and Maryville (2-14, 1-8) are both first-year GLVC members. Courtnee Brown led UIS with eight kills and 14 digs, and Kim Bartosiak added six kills. Carrie Gerberding dished out 22 assists and Cayla Roberts chipped in with nine digs.

The win was featured in an October 12, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091011-SJR-Area-colleges-Volleyball.pdf

UIS Notes: Basketball season starts later for Prairie Stars

In past years, basketball season already would have tipped off for the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars.

The program’s move to NCAA Division II from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has pushed the first day of men’s and women’s basketball practice to Thursday.

“It starts a little later than NAIA,” UIS men’s basketball coach Kevin Gamble said. “NAIA started practicing Oct. 1, whereas we’re starting Oct. 15.”

The story was featured in an October 9, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091009-SJR-UIS-Notes-Basketball-sea.pdf

Eck says he'll retire after UIS' season

Joe Eck is retiring as the University of Illinois Springfield men’s soccer coach at the end of this season, leaving a program he has been a part of since 1979.

Eck announced Thursday he’s stepping down after eight seasons as head coach. He’s leaving the coaching ranks, but not college soccer. Both of his children will play for NCAA Division I soccer programs next year and he doesn’t want to miss out on their college experiences.

Eck's announcement was featured in a October 2, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20091002-SJR-Eck-to-retire-as-UIS-soc.pdf

Pep rally kicks off UIS homecoming week

Homecoming activities kick off today (Monday) at the University of Illinois Springfield and later in the week include a parade, a barbecue and varsity soccer games.

UIS Family Weekend also coincides with homecoming events on Saturday and Sunday.

The theme of the 2009 event is “There’s No Place Like Homecoming.”

The homecoming schedule was published in a September 28, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090928-SJR-UIS-homecoming-activiti.pdf

Prairie Stars find 'keeper in Kubal

Kelli Kubal isn’t bothered by an unexpected turn of events — she just goes with the flow.“Things don’t really bother me,” the University of Illinois Springfield sophomore goalkeeper said. “Plans change. It’s not a big deal to me.”

“She’s an upbeat kid,” UIS women’s soccer coach Pete Kowall said. “If you go to a restaurant she doesn’t like, she deals with it. If we don’t buy her the gloves she exactly likes, she deals with it. Last year, she didn’t like the soccer balls I bought, she dealt with it.”

Kubal's story was featured in a September 25, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090925-SJR-Prairie-Stars-find-keepe.pdf

Brown contributes for UIS

Avon native Courtnee Brown, a junior at the University of Illinois Springfield, had 22 kills recently against Christian Brothers University.

“She’s made an immediate impact from day one,” said Prairie Stars coach Angie Riggle, in her first year. “She works hard every day in practice and in every game.”

The story was featured in a September 23, 2009 edition of the Galesburg Register-Mail.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090923-GRM-Brown-contributes.pdf

UIS' Doellman has unfinished business on soccer field

Quincy natives Brian Doellman and Anthony Longo grew up playing soccer together, so when Longo made a commitment to attend the University of Illinois Springfield, Doellman took a campus visit and knew that’s where he wanted to spend his college career.

“Anthony and I have played on traveling teams together since we were about 12, and we’ve known each other longer than that,” Doellman said. “When he came here, I knew it was at least a place I had to look at.

“When I visited, I liked the campus, the town, the academics, and the tradition, so the decision wasn’t too difficult. I felt comfortable here. This was the right place for me.”

Doellman's comments were featured in a September 19, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090919-SJR-UIS-Doellman-has-unfinis.pdf

UIS notebook: Prairie Stars to host sports smorgasbord Friday

The south side of the University of Illinois Springfield campus will be abuzz with activity Friday.

The UIS Prairie Stars’ volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer teams all play their first-ever Great Lakes Valley Conference home matches that evening, making Kiwanis Stadium and The Recreation and Athletic Center the places to be.

The teams were featured in a September 17, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090917-SJR-UIS-notebook.pdf

Wojciechowski to be a Prairie Star

La Salle-Peru senior right-side hitter Brittnee Wojciechowski literally found the perfect fit when looking for a college to attend next year.

Wojciechowski, one of the many talented front-row players on the Lady Cavaliers, felt at home when she visited the campus of University of Illinois Springfield.

“When I stepped on campus at UIS, I was like, ‘Oh, this feels like home,’” Wojciechowski said.

Wojciechowski was featured in a September 10, 2009 article in the LaSalle News Tribune.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090910-NewsTrib-Wojciechowski.pdf

Law degree pays off for UIS compliance officer

Sports have always been a part of Alison Fitzgerald's life, now she's brought that passion to the University of Illinois Springfield.

The 26-year-old is consumed with athletics as it relates to the Great Lakes Valley Conference and NCAA Division II. Fitzgerald is the assistant director of athletics for compliance at the University of Illinois Springfield. It’s her job to know the NCAA and GLVC rules and regulations and keep the Prairie Stars’ athletic department in line with them.

Fitzgerald was featured in a September 11, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090911-SJR-UIS-compliance-officer.pdf

UIS' Longo wants to carry on family coaching tradition

Quincy native Anthony Longo was destined for soccer long before he was born.

His grandfather, Frank, was involved in coaching on the high school and college level in the River City. His father is the head coach of the girls team at Quincy Notre Dame High School, and his uncle holds a similar post with the Quincy boys team.

“I told my grandma that grandpa must be turning over in his grave to know I was coming over here to school,” said Longo, a senior member of the University of Illinois Springfield men’s soccer team.

Longo's story was featured in a September 4, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090904-SJR-Longo.pdf

Prairie Stars roll past Blackburn in opener

Before Friday’s season opener, University of Illinois Springfield men’s soccer coach Joe Eck said his team needed to set the tempo for the season in the Prairie Stars’ first year in NCAA Division II.

The Prairie Stars scheduled the right opponent to get off on the right foot as they beat Blackburn College 5-1 at Kiwanis Stadium.

The win was featured in an August 28, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090828-SJR-UISBlackburn.pdf

UIS soccer team will face former rivals in GLVC

This men’s soccer season will be a reunion of sorts for the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars. After 31 years in the NAIA the Prairie Stars will reunite with old rivals Rockhurst, Wisconsin-Parkside, Lewis and Quincy in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference.

The Prairie Stars were ranked 13th out of the 15 GLVC teams in the preseason coaches’ poll.

“I don’t think we should be 13th, but if I were in the other coaches’ shoes, I’m not sure I’d vote any differently, either,” said UIS coach Joe Eck, who has guided the Prairie Stars since 2002.

The team was featured in an August 28, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
20090828-SJR-UISsoccer.pdf

UIS women's volleyball and soccer ready for GLVC

University of Illinois Springfield's volleyball coach Angie Riggle and women's soccer coach Pete Kowall talk about their teams getting ready for their first year in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

The teams were featured in an August 26, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article.
UIS%20women%20volleyball%20and%20soccer%20preview.pdf

Grunzke hired as baseball coach for UIS

UIS athletic director Rodger Jehlicka announced Friday that Brian Grunzke will coach the baseball program at the university starting in the 2010-11 school year.

The news was featured in an August 21, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090821-SJR-baseballcoach.pdf

UIS names new head athletic trainer and assistant trainer

UIS has named a new head athletic trainer and an assistant trainer. Les Mitkos has been named the head trainer, and Debra Fitzl will be the assistant. They will begin their duties July 16.

The topic was featured in a July 1, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090701-SJR-newathletictrainers.pdf

Proposed sports complex could be home to future UIS baseball team

A $60 million sports center that would include a 3,000-seat baseball stadium, soccer fields and a football/track facility is being proposed for the south side of Springfield.

It could be a beautiful home stadium for a new UIS baseball team from the way it is described, according to Chancellor Richard Ringeisen.

Ringeisen's comments were featured in a May 3, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register about the proposed facility.

Download a PDF of the article
20090503-SJR-sportscomplex.pdf

Student-athletes at UIS defend athletic department

UIS student-athletes stood up and defended the athletic department and chancellor during a meeting of the Campus Senate in which the Senate voted for an investigation of the athletic department.

The meeting was the subject of an April 18, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20090418-SJR-studentathletes.pdf

Campus Senate votes for athletic department investigation

The Campus Senate of the University of Illinois at Springfield on Friday ordered an independent investigation of the athletic department and decided to table a vote on a resolution of "no confidence" in the Chancellor.

The Senate meeting was reported on in an April 18, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article

20090418-SJR-senateinvestigation.pdf

Faculty members meet to discuss athletics

Faculty members at the University of Illinois at Springfield will meet Monday afternoon to discuss athletics at the school, as well as concerns surrounding the recent resignations of three coaches, in a meeting led by Pat Langley, chair of the UIS Campus Senate and a professor of women and gender studies and legal studies.

The meeting was the subject of an April 10, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register

Download a PDF of the article
20090410-SJR-facultyathletics.pdf

Three athletics coaches resign

UIS head softball coach and head volleyball coach Joe Fisher and Roy Gilmore, the head women’s basketball coach and assistant softball coach, resigned on March 20, and on March 26, men’s and women’s golf coach Jay Davis resigned after he was placed on administrative leave.

UIS administrators are not able to comment on the resignations because they are personnel matters.

The story was covered in the April 10, 2009, State Journal-Register.

Download a DDF of the article
20090410-SJR-coaches.pdf

UIS has more to do to finalize move into NCAA

Now that UIS has been invited to join the Great Lakes Valley Conference of the NCAA, the university will need to take certain steps before it can become a full member.

An article in the October 20, 2008, State Journal-Register looks at the requirements and what they might mean to the campus.

Download the article
20081020-SJR-UISneed2MtoPlay.pdf

UIS move into NCAA means change

UIS officially joined the NCAA Division II, Great Lakes Valley Conference, on October 8, 2008.

In an article that appeared in the State Journal-Register on October 9, Prairie Stars coaches talked about what the move meant for their teams.

Download a pdf file of the article
20081009-SJR-CoachesGladtobeinGLVC.pdf

Gas prices affect athletics, too

An article in the September issue of the Springfield Business Journal discussed the impact of rising gas prices on local businesses. Correspondent Raegan Hennemann also spoke with UIS Athletic Director Rodger Jehlicka about its effect on college sports. Jehlicka noted that UIS coaches have several options to avoid going over budget. Download a pdf file of the article:
20080900-SBJ-AffectofGasPrices.pdf

UIS receives grant for mentoring program

On September 10 the Women for Women initiative of the Sangamon County Community Foundation awarded its first-ever grant of $10,000 to a joint mentoring program of the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center and UIS Athletics.

In the Girl to Girl DreamSpeakers Program, UIS female athletes will serve as mentors to approximately 120 female students in grades 8 through 10 in Springfield public schools.

An article in the September 11, 2008, State Journal-Register profiled the award and related events UIS is planning.

Download a pdf file of the article.

20080911-SJR-WomensGroupAnnouncesAwardforMentoringProgram.pdf