Thursday, September 23, 2010

Prairie Stars to have new look on basketball court

It’s only been two weeks since University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars men’s basketball coach Ben Wierzba was hired, and he’s still in the getting-to-know-you phase with his team.

“They see me every day,” Wierzba said. “We’re getting familiar and getting used to each other.

“I was always excited to be a head coach. After working with these guys the first day or two, I was even more excited. Their ability, effort and skill level have been very encouraging.”

Wierzba isn’t the only person new to the program. Newcomers — nine in total — outnumber returning players.

Five players return from the 2009-10 squad that compiled records of 11-13 overall and 7-11 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

The basketball team was featured in a September 23, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article