Category Archives: Local Sports

Mullins joins ISU men’s basketball staff

Mullins joins ISU men’s basketball staff

Posted on August 11, 2017

Brendan Mullins, a suburban Chicago native who most recently worked as an assistant men’s basketball coach at UIC for two seasons, is staying in-state to serve as Illinois State’s new assistant coach.… MORE

Redbirds rank No. 18 in FCS preseason coaches poll

Redbirds rank No. 18 in FCS preseason coaches poll

Posted on August 9, 2017

For the second time this week, the Illinois State football team was recognized as one of the best 25 teams in the FCS headed into the season when the Redbirds were ranked No. 18 in the 2017 FCS preseason coaches poll. … MORE

Illinois Wesleyan picked 2nd in CCIW volleyball

Illinois Wesleyan picked 2nd in CCIW volleyball

Posted on August 8, 2017

Defending College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin champion Millikin was picked to win the 2017 conference volleyball title, while Illinois Wesleyan was picked for second place, according to a preseason coaches’ poll announced Tuesday.… 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…