To say the White Sox's season is off to a disappointing and slow start is an understatement.
It was bound to happen to White Sox fans: a major injury right before the start of the season. It was just a matter of time before determining who and when.
What a night for the Redbirds!
The Chicago Bears decided to sign the Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton for a one-year, $10 million deal.
Last week was a pretty intense week for the elite gymnastics world.
This is my first time talking about the Chicago Bulls on this blog, but it is a long time coming.
Kevin Lankinen. A name that is now starting to creep its way into the hearts of Blackhawks fans in a so far surprising season for the team. Unless you were a die-hard Hawks fan, you probably did not know who Lankinen was at the beginning of the season, let alone earlier than that.
I love spring training. Ever since I was a kid, I loved to watch players I'd never heard of compete at a mostly professional level. It made me feel like I could one day play in the Major League Baseball. Spring training is a time for new free agent arrivals to wear your team's favorite color…
Dynasty, dynasty, dynasty. That’s all I can say from a fans perspective of Trevor Bauer going to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have been statistically great for around the past two decades it feels like.The Golden State Warriors of baseball so to say, minus the rings. Until now. The r…
It is finally happening! Baseball is back to being at the forefront of mainstream offseason craziness and relevant in sports news once again.That means sports predictions are back to predict every team and how they are going to do this upcoming season. PECOTA is an analytics algorithm that t…
Neal Cotts. To most people that name means little to nothing, but to me I cannot help but think about what a legacy he left behind in the world of Illinois State and White Sox baseball.
You know, it is never officially a Bears offseason unless we are talking about the quarterback position.
Another week passed and another piece of good news is heard for all White Sox fans.
Welcome back to hockey Chicago. Your Blackhawks don't look as terrible as everyone thought they would. While the Blackhawks look far from contenders, it could be worse.
Reclassifying has become somewhat of a trend recently for standout high school basketball players across the nation.
A disappointing season has been followed up by a disappointing offseason for Illinois State University men’s basketball team.
Many Chicago Bears fans have been outraged with the recent decision to trade for Nick Foles. However, I’m struggling to understand the passionate opposition to this choice.
With COVID-19 cancellations running as rampant as the disease itself, it’s impossible for a sports writer not to think about the senior athletes missing out on their final season.
By now, all major professional sports leagues have suspended their seasons. These drastic and sudden actions have put the sports world on notice and alerted fans to the serious nature of the novel coronavirus.
Starting point guard DJ Horne is quite reminiscent of former Illinois State University standout Paris Lee.
If you’re like me, you were frustrated and confused when the Blackhawks decided to fire Joel Quenneville in November 2018.
The Warriors' fall from grace has happened quicker than anyone could have imagined. Although anyone who’s paying attention knows that Golden State has had terrible injury luck, nobody would have anticipated that they would sit at the bottom of the NBA at this point in the season.
A casual tennis fan would likely call Novak Djokovic’s five-set Australian Open victory over Dominic Thiem incredible.
As former Illinois State University men’s basketball standout guard Madison Williams looked on from the end of the bench, supporting his teammates in street clothes on senior night, one can see still see his love for the game.
Growing up a Redbird fan, it was — in my mind — common knowledge that Illinois State University was a basketball school. While both men’s and women’s programs have hit troubling times as of late, it doesn’t mean that the athletic department is in a total rut.
A friendly reminder: It only takes four wins (without a first-round bye) in the Missouri Valley Conference Arch Madness Tournament to make the Big Dance.
The Illinois State University men’s and women’s basketball teams have both seen their fair share of struggles in recent years.
Is it possible to win a Super Bowl without leaning on the passing game? People have different opinions on that. One thing, however, is generally agreed upon: the quarterback is the most important position on the football field.
Roger Federer continues to drink from the fountain of youth, and once again proved doubters wrong as he earned a gritty win against the Australian John Millman in a match that extended late into the night on Friday.
When it was announced that Trae Young was out for Dec. 30’s game, most people probably assumed the Chicago Bulls would win.
It’s been a disappointing season thus far for the Chicago Bulls. Chicago has not been without bright spots, but overall the team has not taken the steps forward this season that many might have hoped they would.
Sunday’s Chicago Bears game would have been disappointing, but I have grown accustomed to the Bears’ ineptitude, and now find the never-ending blunders to be quite entertaining.
A light appears at the end of the tunnel for the Bears.
After another weekend of conference matchups, the MVC continues to dominate the FCS National Polls. For the fifth time this season, four MVC teams are ranked in the top 10: North Dakota State University (1), University of Northern Iowa (7), South Dakota State University (8) and Illinois Stat…
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What should have been one of the NBA’s primetime regular season matchups turned out to be kind of a dud last Wednesday night.
Surprisingly, Thursday night’s NFL game was intriguing on several levels. On paper, everything was trending toward a San Francisco blowout. The 49ers have been absolutely rolling as of late.
“Field goal, no good.” A phrase heard quite too often in Chicago this past year.
It shouldn’t be a surprise of how things turned out in the Windy City.
I didn’t think it was possible, but Mitchell Trubisky looked even worse Sunday againstthe Saints than he ever has.
For a long while, the Baltimore Ravens’ purple inspired fear in NFL offenses. From Ray Lewis to Ed Reed to Terrell Suggs, teams have known that when you’re going up against Baltimore it’s going to be a fight for every yard. Thus far, this season has been different.
Coming off impressive back-to-back wins in Iowa, Illinois State volleyball (11-7, 4-2 MVC) will look to keep the good times rolling as it prepares to play in Redbird Arena for the first time in nearly two weeks.
CROSS COUNTRY
Despite a disappointing season by the Chicago Bulls, there are plenty of promising takeaways for fans. The biggest of which is the continued improvement of their emerging star Zach LaVine.
CROSS COUNTRY With many Missouri Valley schools opting for a byeweek, MVC crosscountry action is limited to two invitationals and five member schools. Four Valley teams competed at the Joe Piane Invitational at the University of Notre Dame Friday. The Bradley Braves contested in the wome…
As the NBA preseason is in full swing, the all-important question of who will be left standing at the end of the regular season begins to be pondered.
Vidette blogger Jason Dietz dives into the Missouri Valley Conference through the men's athletics side, including the start of conference play for all MVC football teams.
I was struggling to find a topic to write about this week. The Cubs are off to a very good start, but my last blog post was about the squad’s performance. However, I still felt the urge to write something about my favorite team; just something on a smaller scale.
New life. After the crazy trades of the winter meetings, free agency, offseason workouts, the World Baseball Classic, and spring training, regular-season baseball is finally here. And boy, does it feel good.
On Wednesday, it was announced that the Colorado Rockies would stay at Coors Field for another three decades. The Rockies agreed to a 30-year, $200 million lease with the Metropolitan Baseball Stadium District. The deal was also structured so that Colorado taxpayers will not have to pay a ce…
In a World Baseball Classic that was filled with unbelievable plays and magic, the United States came out on top for the first time in the history of the tournament, defeating Puerto Rico 8-0 in the championship game. Ian Kinsler and Marcus Stroman, MLB studs, took care of most of the busine…
Trying to guess the leaderboards for spring training is a suicide mission. Because there are so many players per team, combined with the fact that many of these players are unbeknownst to their fans, it makes sense that spring training statistics are somewhat meaningless.
The answer to this question is obvious, isn’t it?
Ever since Rob Manfred became the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, he has impacted several elements of the game, including reaching out to the youth of America about America’s pastime, presiding over the StatCast revolution, and attempting to grow the game internationally. But perhaps …
It’s news that Cubs fans have been waiting on for several weeks. After Dexter Fowler departed the team for the St. Louis Cardinals, a serious question emerged: who would set the table for the Cubs’ powerful lineup? Joe Maddon said on Thursday that Kyle Schwarber would take the reigns as lead…
I’ve written posts about the two Chicago baseball teams so far. However, I’m sure there is a fan base that I have not reached out to yet. Chances are, if you are a resident of Normal, IL, you are either a Cubs or White Sox fan. But there is a small chance that you are a fan of the St. Louis …
Everyone is talking about how the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, and how their star-studded core can potentially lead them to more championships down the road (*knocks on wood ferociously*).
2016 was the year that the Chicago Cubs finally won the World Series. With the perfect mix of youth, experience, and health, Joe Maddon’s squad did not fold under astronomical expectations. Now that 2017 is here, what will Chicago do for an encore?
I am an NBA fan. More importantly, I am a New Orleans Pelicans fan.
Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. There is no questioning this man’s ability to run and catch the pigskin. What you could question is his attitude.
The sports world has been in heaven this year. At least, as an average spectator, some of the bizarre finishes to professional and college sporting events that have accumulated over 2016 have been spectacular.
About a month before the fall semester started, Dick's sporting goods relocated to the next town over, leaving Normal and headed to Bloomington Illinois. The new store is much larger overall, bigger isles, additional clothes, added departments, and including other little playful rooms for te…
After the Cavaliers came from behind 3-1 in the series to winning it all, can you unanimously give all the credit to LeBron James for coming through on his statement two years ago? LeBron notably broadcasted in a July 2014 Sports Illustrated article he would return to the Cleveland Cavaliers…
The NBA Draft is one of my favorites. Of all the major sports, the NBA Draft seems the most entertaining, with trades galore and dreams of some of the world’s best young athletes coming true. It’s an exciting time for fans, as they look to see who their newest addition will be, whether it’s …
It has been a long and tumultuous season for Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. On January 22, head coach David Blatt was unceremoniously fired and replaced by assistant coach Tyrone Lue. The monumental change happened despite the fact that Cleveland was sitting comfortably atop the E…
The Golden State Warriors experienced paramount success in the 2016 playoffs following an incredible finish to the regular season, ending with a 73-9 record. Golden State seemed immaculate in the first two games of the finals, making their wins appear effortless.
NORMAL- As the Missouri Valley Conference regular season progresses, all eight teams continue to try to jump up a couple of spots in the standings.
It is still Dallas Baptist’s show in the Missouri Valley Conference.
NORMAL- This week's Illinois State Redbird to be featured on our player spotlight is none other than Owen Miller.
As another week passes in Missouri Valley Conference baseball, Dallas Baptist is continuing to lead the pack in what has become a tight race for first place.
After dealing with a solid first half of the season, the Dallas Baptist Patriots have now shifted into the next gear with hopes of claiming a Missouri Valley Conference Championship.
The first weekend of Missouri Valley Conference play has now been completed, and there was plenty of action involved.
NORMAL- When Illinois State hosts Dallas Baptist to start conference play, it will also witness one of this season’s biggest additions to the Missouri Valley Conference.
NORMAL- Starting this weekend, the Missouri Valley Conference will finally begin its conference portion of the schedule.
Each week I'll take a look at one impactful player in the Missouri Valley Conference who fans should keep an eye on in the near future.
In just over a week, all eight Missouri Valley Conference baseball teams will begin competing in their conference schedule.
Now that both Wichita State and Northern Iowa have been eliminated from the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, it is time to shift our focus to baseball.
The Missouri Valley Conference can breathe easily now that they know two teams will represent them in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly for the Wichita State Shockers when the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament began.
NORMAL- It was a triumphant day for Southern Illinois University men’s basketball head coach Barry Hinson, who was named the 2016 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year.
Now that we have finally reached March, springtime is upon us and with what comes yet another edition of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
Today is the final set of regular season games for the Missouri Valley Conference. And with multiple sets of ties in the standings, many teams will look to lock up their official seed for the MVC Tournament. If we do end up with any ties at the end of Saturday, they will have to be broken ba…
Ever since the 2015 post season, baseball fans can’t stop talking about the rebuild of the Chicago Cubs. Several sports experts have predicted they’ll not only beat records, but go all the way. Even ESPN speculates the comeback team will win the Central Division of the National League this y…
It was not what Illinois State did not do that made the difference. It was what Richmond did do that saw them earn a hard fought 39-27 win over the Redbirds in the FCS Quarterfinals on Friday night at Hancock Stadium.
NUTS AND BOLTS
It could not have been a more perfect day for playoff football.
The playoffs have ratcheted up in emotion, intensity and talent as the final eight teams will now duke it out for a shot to advance to the FCS Semifinals. Here is a primer of the four games on the docket.
Illinois State's offense went ice cold while the defense couldn't find its identity during an onslaught second half resulting in a Alabama Birmingham 74-61 win over ISU Saturday evening at Redbird Arena.
Ugly. Messy. Grinding.
There are no moral victories within sports. A win is a win is a win, just as a loss is a loss. However, Redbird basketball fans should think twice before jumping ship from the 2015-16 Illinois State University men’s basketball team.
All year, the response to what the expectations for the Illinois State University football team were in 2015 had the same exact answer from every coach and player: Win a national championship.
[dropcap size=dropcap-big]I[/dropcap]mmediately when entering Lexington, Ky., we thought we were in the wrong place. Maybe it was the foggy, dim weather conditions, but for all of the hysteria of Kentucky basketball and the entire aura of the legendary Wildcats program, it seemed absolutely …
In one of the wildest FCS seasons in recent history, it seems as though the field is completely wide open this year for a number of teams to take home the crown when the national championship game rolls around on January 9 in Frisco, Texas.
The Illinois State University men’s basketball team could not get anything going on offense and were shut down by TCU, 71-60, in the third-place game of the Cancun Challenge on Wednesday night.
The Road to Frisco goes through Normal.
With a young and talented backcourt, the Suns will host the Bulls tonight at 9:30 CT. Both teams will be riding three-game win streaks as the Suns will try to finish off a 3-0 home stand against a Bulls team that will be playing without Derrick Rose.
For 30 minutes on Saturday, it looked like it would be “Upset City” in Carbondale. But that’s why they play two halves.
The narrative has been there every week this season: Can the Redbird football team survive another brutally competitive game against a highly talented team?
In efforts to boost student attendance, Student Government Association and Redbird Athletics have paired together to provide a free shuttle for students to all home men’s basketball games when students are on campus for the 2015-16 season.
Offensive lineman Mike Liedtke has a new home as the former Redbird has been signed to the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Illinois State University women’s soccer team dropped its second MVC game of the season Saturday when it fell to Missouri State in Springfield, Mo., 1-0. The loss also ended a two-game win streak for the Redbirds in conference play.
After picking up two victories over the weekend, the Illinois State University volleyball team has now moved into a four-way tie for third place with a conference record of 5-3.
The Chicago Cubs’ World Series hopes are growing cold after losing the first two games of the National League Championship Series to the New York Mets this weekend.
Coming into Saturday’s matchup with Missouri State, the Illinois State University football team was expected to roll through a less-talented opponent in the Bears.
The No. 4-ranked Illinois State football team defeated No. 7 Youngstown State, 31-29, in another thrilling, hard-fought Missouri Valley Football Conference victory Saturday night in Youngstown, Ohio.
Fresh off the win at their home course, the Illinois State men’s golf team traveled to Colorado this past weekend to participate in the Ram Masters Invitational.
The Illinois State University Redbird Hockey Organization was founded in 1969; and for the first time, it will be competing in Division I: the highest level of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
After a 53-point home-opening win over Morgan State, the No. 5 Redbirds travel to Charleston, Ill. to take on the Eastern Illinois Panthers in the 104th Mid-America Classic on Saturday.
As he struggles to find the right words, it is obvious the pain of loss is still present.
After recently earning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week for volleyball and being named MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week, senior outside hitter Ashley Rosch has been named a candidate for the senior CLASS Award.
It is one of the most cliché phrases in the English language, but sometimes it describes the situation perfectly.
Playing in its second tournament of the 2015 season, the Illinois State volleyball team was able to take first place at this past weekend’s Harvard Invitational.
Other than the 2015 FCS National Championship, Saturday’s season opener against the Iowa Hawkeyes was the most-hyped game in the history of the Illinois State football program.
In the "battle of the birds," the Illinois State University Redbirds could not fight off the Iowa Hawkeyes, falling 31-14 in the 2015 season opener on a blazing hot Saturday morning in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Illinois State University men’s tennis team returns a strong group of upper classmen, and the blend of underclassmen should bode well for the ’Birds this season.
The Illinois State University women’s tennis team will look to rebound after a down year in 2015. The Redbirds will look to five returnees and three newcomers to right the ship.
This past weekend, the Illinois State volleyball team competed at the Hurricane Invitational, finishing 1-2.
Some of the most important players on a football team are the specialists. Of course, they are also the most unheralded. Losing last year’s starting kicker, punter, long snapper and placeholder may not be the most notable losses at first. But look closer and the graduation of all four is huge.
Former Redbird football player Mike Zimmer is gearing up to coach the Minnesota Vikings to a successful year in the NFL as the 2015-16 regular season approaches.
After losing to Miami and Kansas State in its first two matches, the Illinois State volleyball team was able to secure a victory over Florida A&M, 3-0, during the Hurricane Invitational.
It has been well-documented that there are plenty of holes to fill on the ISU offensive line with the graduation of three starters from last season. Kyle Avaloy and Mark Spelman return to spearhead a talented, yet inexperienced line.
Former Redbird track star Aisha Praught made her debut with the Jamaican National Team Sunday at the 2015 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Beijing, China.
Illinois State University baseball players have been staying fresh by participating in summer leagues.
After filling the last spot of the New Orleans Saints 90-man roster, former Illinois State University All-American long snapper, Chris Highland, was cut last week.
Former Illinois State tight end James O'Shaughnessy is fitting right in with his new team.
Many Redbird baseball alumni are playing professional baseball in Major League organizations. Here is an update on how a few former ISU players are contributing this summer.
One of the biggest strengths of the 2014 Redbird football team was its receiving corps.
After going 1-1 in two exhibition matches earlier this month, the Illinois State soccer team will play its first match at home this Sunday against the University of Illinois.
College basketball fans across the country will have the opportunity to see the Illinois State men’s basketball team go head-to-head with the University of Kentucky.
Beginning in late August, the Illinois State volleyball will be participating in matches for the first time since its record 2014 season.
Restock. Recharge. Reload.
The Illinois State football season begins on Sept. 5 when the Redbirds will face the Iowa Hawkeyes on the road at Kinnick Stadium.
Former ISU wide receiver Cameron Meredith has impressed so far in his young NFL career with the Chicago Bears.
An NCAA Division I men’s basketball program is permitted to take an international trip every four years. With its last trip to Canada prior to the 2011-12 season, Illinois State took its talents to Spain Aug. 7.
After long sets of grueling practices, the ISU football team finished its fall training camp with the annual Red vs. White Scrimmage Saturday afternoon.
Coming into August ranked No. 2 in the country, expectations for the Illinois State football program are at an all-time high.
There have only been four practices on the young season, but it has already been easy to see the development of the Illinois State football team.
The new Illinois State University Cheerleading squad has been announced and it’s crazy to say that I am not on the team.
Third Base
Over the past four years the amount of team meals I have been a part of is unbelievable. This past Saturday, I had my last team meal. The banquet was set for 1pm and like us, a majority of us arrived 15 minutes early. Being early is something that has been drained into our memory and we’ve l…
Second base/ Shortstop
First Basemen
Starting Pitchers
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