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 Prairie Stars' Division II era. Each week, UIS features one team and one student-athlete, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.
The Illinois Springfield baseball team was picked second in the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason coaches' poll, as announced Wednesday by the league office.
UIS received four first-place votes and totaled 170 points in the poll, trailing only defending preseason favorite Indianapolis. The Prairie Stars were one of five teams to receive first-place consideration, reflecting the depth of the league entering the 2026 season.
When UIS decided to add men's basketball to its athletics portfolio for the 2002-03 season as the sixth sport, joining men's soccer, volleyball, men's and women's tennis and women's basketball, the university tabbed a 37-year-old local hero as the first coach. Kevin Gamble, who led Lanphier High to the 1983 Class AA state championship, had a decorated college career at Iowa, and spent 10 seasons in the NBA, including six with the Boston Celtics, was selected for the task.
The UIS men's soccer program has announced the addition of TJ Knight as an assistant coach, bringing Division I playing experience and a development-focused perspective to the Prairie Stars staff.
The UIS men's basketball team, the current top team in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, returns home this week for a pair of conference matchups at TRAC, highlighted by Springfield Day on Thursday and Family Day presented by the Bank of Springfield on Saturday.
Thursday's action features a 7:30 p.m. men's tip-off against Lincoln, following the women's game, with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. The Prairie Stars then host Missouri–St. Louis on Saturday with a 3:00 p.m. tip-off as part of a full Family Day celebration.
A busy and exciting week at home awaits UIS women's basketball, as the Prairie Stars return to TRAC for two GLVC matchups paired with community-focused promotions. UIS opens the homestand Thursday night for Springfield Day, tipping off at 5:30 p.m. with gates opening at 4:30, before wrapping up the week Saturday afternoon with Family Day presented by the Bank of Springfield at 1:00 p.m.
Illinois Springfield (7-11, 4-6 GLVC)
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.
Springfield pride will be on full display Thursday night as UIS Basketball hosts Springfield Day at the Prairie Stars' home games on Thursday, Jan. 29, celebrating the city and its community partners with giveaways, prizes, and in-game fun. The women's game tips off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m.
Fans attending both the women's and men's basketball games will have opportunities to receive prizes from local organizations throughout the night, making it a true celebration of everything Springfield has to offer.
Dave Ulrich joins the UIS volleyball staff as an assistant coach after previously serving on the coaching staff at St. Mary's University alongside head coach Laura Ulrich. He brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience, with a strong background in player development, scouting, and blocking systems.
UIS women's flag football gear is now available on the Prairie Stars Sideline Store, giving fans the opportunity to purchase official apparel as the newest UIS sports program continues building toward the 2026–27 school year, including its inaugural spring 2027 season of competition.