As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the program's Division II era. Each week, UIS features one team and one player, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.
UIS Athletics invites the Prairie Stars community to a reception welcoming Laura Ulrich, who recently completed her first season as head volleyball coach during the Fall 2025 campaign. Ulrich joined the Prairie Stars in late summer 2025, marking the beginning of a new chapter for UIS Volleyball.
Indoor track and field opens its season on the road, women's tennis hosts its first home match of the Henrique Leal era, and a full slate of home basketball highlights the week ahead for UIS Athletics.
Thursday, Jan. 15
5:30 p.m. — Women's Basketball vs. Rockhurst (HOME)
Illinois Springfield men's basketball (10-5, 6-1 GLVC) suffered its first conference loss of the season in a 66-65 setback to Truman State (6-9, 3-4 GLVC) on Saturday at Pershing Arena, as the Bulldogs scored the game-winning basket with 2:16 remaining. Despite scoring 40 points off the bench and holding a late second-half lead, UIS was unable to convert in the closing minutes.
Illinois Springfield women's basketball (5-10, 2-5 GLVC) fell to Truman State (8-7, 5-2 GLVC), 64-53, at Pershing Arena on Saturday afternoon despite forcing 12 steals. Truman State capitalized with 23 points off turnovers and maintained a scoring advantage in the paint.
Illinois Springfield men's basketball (10-4, 6-0 GLVC) defeated Quincy (7-7, 2-4 GLVC) 91-60 on Thursday night at Pepsi Arena, pulling away in the second half by outscoring the Hawks 49-30. With the win, the Prairie Stars claimed the BOS Traveling Cup, bringing it back to Springfield.
The victory also marked the first time in program history that UIS has opened GLVC play 6-0, as the Prairie Stars remain tied with Upper Iowa atop the conference standings.
The UIS women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought GLVC road contest, falling 71-70 to Quincy on Thursday night at Pepsi Arena.
UIS (5-9, 2-4 GLVC) forced 28 turnovers and recorded 17 steals, but Quincy (6-7, 3-3 GLVC) held an advantage in the paint and withstood a late Prairie Stars rally to secure the win.
The 2026 UIS tennis season is quickly approaching as the Prairie Stars prepare for their first spring under first-year head coach Henrique Leal. Both the men's and women's teams will open competition in January and follow largely parallel schedules throughout the season, often competing on the same dates and times. While most matches align for both programs, a handful of exhibitions and non-conference contests vary by team.
The Illinois Springfield baseball and softball programs are excited to announce that Jason Simontacchi, former Major League pitcher and professional coach, will serve as the guest speaker at the 2026 UIS First Pitch Event on Saturday, Jan. 24.
The UIS men's basketball team, unbeaten in GLVC play, heads out for a two-game road swing this week beginning with a BOS Rivalry Cup matchup at Quincy on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. UIS will then travel to Kirksville, Mo., to face Truman State on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
Thursday's contest marks the lone regular-season meeting between UIS and Quincy, making it the Prairie Stars' only opportunity this season to reclaim the BOS Cup, the rivalry trophy supported by Bank of Springfield.