athletics

Sent on behalf of James Koeppe, Director of Campus Recreation

Vachel Lindsay Drive will be closed Wednesday, August 31 at 12 noon and re-open Thursday September 1 at 12 noon.

Please use Ernest Hemingway Drive and University Drive to access campus during this time.

Residents of West Campus may access the parking lot using 11^th Street and the first parking lot entrance on Vachel Lindsay.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but hope you enjoy the REC Palooza Street Party Wednesday evening.

University of Illinois Springfield baseball player Zion Pettigrew signed a free agent with the Washington Nationals organization this week.

The University of Illinois Springfield Athletics Department announced today that Summer Quesenberry has been named the new Prairie Stars women's basketball head

The University of Illinois Springfield Athletics Department announced today a change in leadership of its cross country and track and field program. Emmons King has been promoted as the Interim Head

The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team starts the 2021 season Friday at the Lindenwood Tipoff Classic. The Prairie Stars are hoping to improve on their 8-12 record from last season.

Head coach Matt Brock said the Prairie Stars are excited for the return of fans.

"I'm excited about our team," Brock said. "All of our newcomers can make an impact in one way or the other. We got a lot of players that can play well. We're trying to find the right lineups and right combinations that play the best right now."

The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team tips off the season Friday at the Midwest Region Crossover.

The Prairie Stars return from their best Great Lake Valley Conference season record in program history. The 10-11 record is also the second best winning percentage in the NCAA era.

The University of Illinois Springfield cross country program prides itself on local talent. All but one runner hails from the state of Illinois — most from downstate. 

Those local connections would become extra meaningful this weekend if the entire men’s cross country team qualified for the NCAA Division II meet for the first time in school history. 

The University of Illinois Springfield women’s cross country team was only 10 points from perfection at the Prairie Star Invitational. 

Lexi Throne, a Litchfield graduate and member of the women’s team, was the seventh, and final, UIS varsity team member to finish. She was 12th overall, touring the 5,000-meter course in 21 minutes, 27.0 seconds. 

It was hosted by UIS, who finished with 25 points. Greenville University took second with 51 points. 

Tyler Pence is the head cross country and track coach at the University of Illinois Springfield. He spoke with Community Voices about his career and sticking with running after many injuries. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic team trials and spoke about his plans for competing in the future.

This interview aired on WUIS, NPR Illinois on August 30, 2021.

Listen to the recorded interview.

The University of Illinois Springfield has named Laura Liesman as its Designate Director of Athletics, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. The Aurora, Illinois native has spent the past 18 years at Georgian Court University (GCU) in Lakewood, New Jersey. At GCU, she is the Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Recreation and Director of Athletics.