Saint Joseph
SPORTS
High school football practice begins across Central Illinois
ST. JOSEPH, Ill. (WCIA) — The 2024 high school football season officially kicked off in Illinois with the first day of practice. Schools statewide, including the St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans began practice for the upcoming season on Monday. SJO finished last season with an 8-3 record, qualifying for the state finals for the third year in […]
Can't Wait For Saturday | East stands looking spiffy compared to old days
Aug. 13—*** If you are tiring of my stories where I write how much better things were in the past, don't worry. This is not that. Here's a different take: I saw something Monday that is clearly better than it used to be. I'm referring to the East stands and concourse at Memorial Stadium, which quite frankly used to be disgusting and grimy. Back in the old days, when I was attending every ...
Taylor Swift Performance A Possibility For Illini Football Season Ticket Holders
The Illinois Fighting Illini announced that students who purchase season tickets by Aug. 28th have the chance to win two tickets to see Taylor Swift in concert on Nov. 3.
Illinois figuring out in-helmet communication
Aug. 15—CHAMPAIGN — Illinois rigged up a makeshift in-helmet communication system during spring football practices. It was a preemptive move for Illini coach Bret Bielema knowing the NCAA was likely to approve the use of coach-to-player communications ahead of the 2024 season. That move was made official April 19 after several teams got a chance to use in-helmet communication gear during last ...
Unity football ranked No. 50 in IHSA anniversary rankings
TOLONO, Ill. (WCIA) — The IHSA has officially named the Unity Rockets one of the 50 best football programs in the state. In honor of the 50th anniversary playoff seasons for high school football and volleyball, the IHSA is releasing a list of the top 50 programs in each sport. “When making a list of […]
Community sends off Central IL Paralympic athletes as they prepare for Paris games
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The 2024 Olympic Games have come and gone, but Paris isn’t done with world-class athletes yet. The opening ceremonies for the Paralympic Games start August 28th. Eight of the competing athletes have very close ties to Central Illinois, and in particular, the University of Illinois. On Wednesday, the university helped to […]
With school back in session, a look around the area sports scene
Aug. 15—Janet Rayfield has 226 victories in charge of Illinois soccer. The veteran coach starts her 23rd season leading the Illini tonight when they host Wright State at Demirjian Park in Champaign. Of the 18 Big Ten women's soccer coaches, Rayfield's win total ranks fourth in the revamped league, only behind Nebraska coach John Walker (365 wins), Ohio State coach Lori Walker-Hock (291 ...
Illinois names 2024 team captains
Aug. 15—CHAMPAIGN — Illinois officially announced its six team captains for the 2024 season Thursday after they were revealed to the team following Wednesday night's training camp scrimmage at Memorial Stadium. The captains were split equally between offense and defense. Representing the offense are tight end Tanner Arkin, wide receiver Pat Bryant and offensive lineman Josh Kreutz. The defense ...
Champaign park honors Olympians with special tribute
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Park District is reminding residents of their monument to honor local Olympians. “The Olympic & Paralympic Tribute located at Dodds Park honors the extraordinary achievements of Champaign County residents who have participated in the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” officials wrote in a Facebook post. “Its granite platform is inscribed […]
Dylan Rosiek named to Butkus Award Watch List
(WCIA)—Dylan Rosiek committed to playing for Lovie Smith in June 2020. Following Smith’s firing, Rosiek signed with Illinois, not knowing who his coach would be, and stayed with the Illini once Bret Bielema was hired. “I wasn’t Coach B’s recruit, obviously,” said Rosiek. “He brought me in with open arms, but just coming from that […]
Illini football quick hits | Training Camp Day 14
Aug. 13—Illinois training camp continued Tuesday, with defensive coordinator Aaron Henry and multiple Illini linebackers available to the media after practice. Here's some of what was said, courtesy beat writer Scott Richey: Solid at safety The top of the depth chart at safety is fairly clear. A healthy Matthew Bailey has retaken the spot he would have filled a year ago in the box. The Moline ...
Re-examined: Red Grange’s legacy 100 years later
Last week Illinois introduced new throwback jerseys to be worn at the Memorial Stadium re-dedication game, in honor of Red Grange. When the Illini kick it off against Michigan on Oct. 19, it will mark 100 years since Grange’s infamous six-touchdown game. The game turned Grange into an overnight...
Duke And Illinois To Meet In The Garden
Duke last played Illinois in December of 2020 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and in that one, the Blue Devils had no answer for the massive Kofi Cockburn and won 83-68. It’s strange to think of it and remember that it was played in an empty Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Illinois basketball trying to get back in the running for 4-star 2025 recruit
The Illinois basketball team is coming down from the high of a wild ride in the class of 2024. I can sit here and say that I have never seen a class this talented coming into the Illini program. Yes, we have had players like five-star Dee Brown come in with Deron Williams and James Augustine, but on paper, that class was not as talented as what we are seeing entering this season.
Rare frontcourt talent elevates Illinois basketball expectations for 2024-25
Illinois basketball has seen some good recruiting classes in the past, but you will be hard-pressed to find one that stands up to the class of 2024. There are many different angles you can take to make the case that the 2024 class is the best, on paper, in the history of the Illini program. I could mention the five-star forward in Will Riley and the great four-star combo guard from Lithuania, Kasparas Jakucionis. Both players are projected to be picked in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
ciSports: Coach Pancho Moore Sports Photography
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Pancho Moore joins ciSports this week to share all about his photography business Coach Pancho Moore Sports Photography. With ciSports Host, Karidia Shelby, Coach Pancho discusses how his photography business was started, what services are offered, and his overall goal for Coach Pancho Moore Sports Photography. What is ciSports? CiSports, is […]
Sebens leaving Parkland for D-I opportunity
Aug. 13—CHAMPAIGN — Corbin Sebens has spent the past four years with an eye on taking the next step in his coaching career. Basically do for himself what he did for numerous Parkland College golfers and use the Cobras' success to springboard him to the Division I level. Sebens had several interviews in that span, including with some SEC and ACC programs. The result was always the same. The ...
Illini WR Alexander Capka-Jones comfortable, confident and ready to make impact: 'I really can do this'
CHAMPAIGN — Alexander Capka-Jones realizes now that there were times last season, especially early, he tried to put too much on himself too quickly. He tried to master the playbook immediately and make the leap from junior college to the Big Ten look like a breeze. The results weren't...
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