The University of Illinois Springfield filled another opening in its athletic department by announcing the hiring of Samantha Schall as its men’s and women’s tennis coach.
UIS hired new athletic director Jim Sarra last week.
Schall, 24, has been an assistant coach at Metropolitan State in Denver for three seasons. She also played four years at Metropolitan State and graduated in 2013 with a degree in business management. She has a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia-Irvine.
The Glendale, Arizona, native replaces Tom Rees, who left for Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory, North Carolina, under former UIS athletic director Kim Pate.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 27, 2016.
Read the full story online.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
UIS names Jim Sarra new athletic director
Jim Sarra, deputy director of athletics at NCAA Division I University of Texas at San Antonio, has been hired to run the athletics program at the University of Illinois Springfield.
UIS announced Sarra as its new director of athletics Wednesday pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for July 20-21 in Urbana.
Sarra, 48, is a first-time athletic director.
“It is surreal right now,” he said. “It has not sunk in yet. It’s exciting. I’m very confident in my abilities and I would not have taken this opportunity if I didn’t feel like we could be successful there. There’s a really good team in place from the chancellor on down through the athletics program.”
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 22, 2016.
Read the full article online.
UIS announced Sarra as its new director of athletics Wednesday pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for July 20-21 in Urbana.
Sarra, 48, is a first-time athletic director.
“It is surreal right now,” he said. “It has not sunk in yet. It’s exciting. I’m very confident in my abilities and I would not have taken this opportunity if I didn’t feel like we could be successful there. There’s a really good team in place from the chancellor on down through the athletics program.”
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 22, 2016.
Read the full article online.
UIS hosts Camp Invention week for kids
Local kids are getting a chance to exercise their minds this summer.
UIS is hosting its camp invention, a week-long program designed to stimulate children's minds.
The camp is a great way for students to take part in real world problem-solving challenges. They can build things, take them apart, and explore different types of technology.
"I think it's fun how we get to kind of invent what we want to, and there are no limits to our imagination," said Kate Feld, Camp Invention participant.
The story was reported by WICS-TV 20 on June 22, 2016.
Watch the story online.
UIS is hosting its camp invention, a week-long program designed to stimulate children's minds.
The camp is a great way for students to take part in real world problem-solving challenges. They can build things, take them apart, and explore different types of technology.
"I think it's fun how we get to kind of invent what we want to, and there are no limits to our imagination," said Kate Feld, Camp Invention participant.
The story was reported by WICS-TV 20 on June 22, 2016.
Watch the story online.
Medical research teams get $10,000 grants
Two teams of researchers from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the University of Illinois Springfield have been awarded $10,000 grants from the Caryl Towsley Moy Endowed Fund for Collaborative Research.
The fund, created in 2012 with contributions from the Moy family, is named after a former UIS professor who taught sociology and human sexuality at UIS and also taught SIU medical students.
Moy, the wife of former SIU School of Medicine dean Dr. Richard Moy, died in 2010 at age 78.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 22, 2016.
Read the full story online.
The fund, created in 2012 with contributions from the Moy family, is named after a former UIS professor who taught sociology and human sexuality at UIS and also taught SIU medical students.
Moy, the wife of former SIU School of Medicine dean Dr. Richard Moy, died in 2010 at age 78.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 22, 2016.
Read the full story online.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
UIS's Supak receives All-America golf mention
University of Illinois Springfield golfer Talon Supak has been named to the NCAA Division II Ping All-America honorable mention team.
The team was selected by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
Supak is the first All-American in UIS history. He tied for 79th at the Division II Men’s Golf Championship. He won the Midwest/Central Super Regional in Allendale, Michigan.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 21, 2016.
Read the article online.
The team was selected by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
Supak is the first All-American in UIS history. He tied for 79th at the Division II Men’s Golf Championship. He won the Midwest/Central Super Regional in Allendale, Michigan.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 21, 2016.
Read the article online.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Grisham resigns as UIS women's soccer coach
Molly Grisham has resigned as University of Illinois Springfield women’s soccer coach.
Her resignation comes on the heels of the team’s record-setting 2015 season. The Prairie Stars set the program record for most wins in a single season with a 5-11-2 mark. It also set the record for Great Lakes Valley Conference wins with a 4-9-2 mark.
Grisham, a 1992 Chatham Glenwood High School graduate, coached UIS for three seasons. She posted a 12-37-5 career record.
She is leaving UIS to pursue a career in leadership development consulting at the high school and college level.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 17, 2016.
Read the article online.
Her resignation comes on the heels of the team’s record-setting 2015 season. The Prairie Stars set the program record for most wins in a single season with a 5-11-2 mark. It also set the record for Great Lakes Valley Conference wins with a 4-9-2 mark.
Grisham, a 1992 Chatham Glenwood High School graduate, coached UIS for three seasons. She posted a 12-37-5 career record.
She is leaving UIS to pursue a career in leadership development consulting at the high school and college level.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 17, 2016.
Read the article online.
UIS volleyball team to host Capital Classic in September
The University of Illinois Springfield volleyball team hit the road for nearly the first month of the 2015 season. However, this season it will enjoy the luxury of playing at home early.
The Prairie Stars are opening the 2016 season by hosting the inaugural Capital Classic Sept. 2-3 at The Recreation and Athletic Center.
The six-team field includes Ohio Valley, Upper Iowa, University of West Alabama, Wayne State and William Jewell.
“We wanted to host because this is the first official weekend of play,” UIS coach Trey Salinas said.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 17, 2016.
Read the full article online.
The Prairie Stars are opening the 2016 season by hosting the inaugural Capital Classic Sept. 2-3 at The Recreation and Athletic Center.
The six-team field includes Ohio Valley, Upper Iowa, University of West Alabama, Wayne State and William Jewell.
“We wanted to host because this is the first official weekend of play,” UIS coach Trey Salinas said.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 17, 2016.
Read the full article online.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
University of Illinois Springfield narrows A.D. search to four finalists
The pool of candidates to replace Kim Pate as the University of Illinois Springfield director of athletics has been set.
UIS has narrowed its search to four finalists. They are:
- Jim Sarra, deputy athletic director at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
- Daniella Irle, deputy director of athletics and senior woman administrator at North Dakota.
- Mike Waddell, Illinois’ senior associate director of athletics.
- Debbie DeJong, associate director of athletics and compliance and senior woman administrator at Long Island.
Over 50 candidates applied to replace Pate. She submitted her resignation in March after accepting the director of intercollegiate athletics position at NCAA Division II Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory, North Carolina. Pate left UIS in May. Hayley Ross Treadway, the associate athletic director of compliance and internal operations, is serving as interim athletic director.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 15, 2016.
Read the full article online.
UIS has narrowed its search to four finalists. They are:
- Jim Sarra, deputy athletic director at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
- Daniella Irle, deputy director of athletics and senior woman administrator at North Dakota.
- Mike Waddell, Illinois’ senior associate director of athletics.
- Debbie DeJong, associate director of athletics and compliance and senior woman administrator at Long Island.
Over 50 candidates applied to replace Pate. She submitted her resignation in March after accepting the director of intercollegiate athletics position at NCAA Division II Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory, North Carolina. Pate left UIS in May. Hayley Ross Treadway, the associate athletic director of compliance and internal operations, is serving as interim athletic director.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 15, 2016.
Read the full article online.
Hiltoppers' Storm signs with UIS
Hillsboro High School graduate Lindsey Storm has signed a letter of intent to play golf for the University of Illinois Springfield.
Storm won the Class A Salem Regional last October and tied for 21st at the state tournament.
Bartonville Limestone’s Amanda Greenan has also signed with the Stars.
She was medalist at the Class AA Pekin Regional, tied for third at the Normal Sectional and tied for 16th at the state tournament. She was the Peoria Journal Star co-Girls Golfer of the Year.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 15, 2016.
Read the story online.
Storm won the Class A Salem Regional last October and tied for 21st at the state tournament.
Bartonville Limestone’s Amanda Greenan has also signed with the Stars.
She was medalist at the Class AA Pekin Regional, tied for third at the Normal Sectional and tied for 16th at the state tournament. She was the Peoria Journal Star co-Girls Golfer of the Year.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 15, 2016.
Read the story online.
Men's Golf: UIS signs three
Mitch McCafferty is transferring from Illinois Central College to the University of Illinois Springfield to play golf.
UIS has added two others to the roster.
Louis Bagur played two seasons at Universite de Bordeaux in France. He tied for second at the French University Championship. In 2014, he tied for 25th at the French Boy’s Championship. Bagur is from Bordeaux, France.
James Scagell comes to UIS from Warwickshire, England. He was a high school champion in this year and club champion in 2015.He won five titles as a junior. His 18-hole scoring average is 74.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 15, 2016.
Read the story online.
UIS has added two others to the roster.
Louis Bagur played two seasons at Universite de Bordeaux in France. He tied for second at the French University Championship. In 2014, he tied for 25th at the French Boy’s Championship. Bagur is from Bordeaux, France.
James Scagell comes to UIS from Warwickshire, England. He was a high school champion in this year and club champion in 2015.He won five titles as a junior. His 18-hole scoring average is 74.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 15, 2016.
Read the story online.
Vigils held across central Illinois for Orlando shooting victims
Students, faculty and others mourn the victims of Orlando at the University of Illinois Springfield. The school’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Resource Office held the candlelight vigil on campus. They lit 49 candles for the 49 victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.
LGBTQA Director Kerry Poynter called for strength in the time of great sorrow.
"I hope that today, this vigil, we can come together as a community and we can begin to process why this happened,” Poynter said. “Maybe even to look at home at UIS and ask what kind of community we want to create?”
The story was reported by WCIA-TV on June 15, 2016.
Watch the full story online.
LGBTQA Director Kerry Poynter called for strength in the time of great sorrow.
"I hope that today, this vigil, we can come together as a community and we can begin to process why this happened,” Poynter said. “Maybe even to look at home at UIS and ask what kind of community we want to create?”
The story was reported by WCIA-TV on June 15, 2016.
Watch the full story online.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Local community reacts to Orlando shooting
The local community is reacting to the horrific tragedy in Orlando with local LGBT organizations saying it was not only a terror attack, but also a hate crime meant to instill fear in everybody.
Kerry Poynter, Interim Executive Director of the Diversity Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said, "This happens all the time. We might be seeing it through a terrorist attack like this where so many people are gunned down in a nightclub, but people are being bullied. People are being murdered. People are being attacked because of their identity - their LGBT identity."
UIS will also have a "We Are Orlando" candlelight vigil in remembrance of the shooting victims Tuesday at 5 PM at the UIS Public Affairs Center.
The story was reported by WICS-TV 20 on June 13, 2016.
Watch the story online.
Kerry Poynter, Interim Executive Director of the Diversity Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said, "This happens all the time. We might be seeing it through a terrorist attack like this where so many people are gunned down in a nightclub, but people are being bullied. People are being murdered. People are being attacked because of their identity - their LGBT identity."
UIS will also have a "We Are Orlando" candlelight vigil in remembrance of the shooting victims Tuesday at 5 PM at the UIS Public Affairs Center.
The story was reported by WICS-TV 20 on June 13, 2016.
Watch the story online.
Monday, June 6, 2016
UI system question settled for now
Too big to be a single university, too small to be a system.
An identity crisis of sorts has dogged the University of Illinois for years as it grew to include three very different campuses in Urbana, Chicago and Springfield.
A new "Strategic Framework" settles the issue, at least for the next 10 years.
The fifth line of the new strategic plan refers to "the University of Illinois System" — with a capital "S" — including "two world-class research universities with extraordinary depth and breadth, a top-ranked regional liberal arts university in the state capital, and an expansive health care training and services enterprise."
The story was reported by the Champaign News-Gazette on June 4, 2016.
Read the full article online.
An identity crisis of sorts has dogged the University of Illinois for years as it grew to include three very different campuses in Urbana, Chicago and Springfield.
A new "Strategic Framework" settles the issue, at least for the next 10 years.
The fifth line of the new strategic plan refers to "the University of Illinois System" — with a capital "S" — including "two world-class research universities with extraordinary depth and breadth, a top-ranked regional liberal arts university in the state capital, and an expansive health care training and services enterprise."
The story was reported by the Champaign News-Gazette on June 4, 2016.
Read the full article online.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
UIS baseball to install turf infield
A bare-bones baseball diamond greeted Chris Ramirez when he became the University of Illinois Springfield baseball coach in July 2013.
It was mostly a blank canvas except for an outfield fence, chain link backstop, a bullpen, bases and pitching mound. In time for the 2014 baseball season, Ramirez transformed the practice diamond into a home field.
The Prairie Stars' inaugural season was 2011 and they played the first three years away from campus. In Ramirez's first season UIS began playing on campus, and the diamond has continued taking shape through the years.
UIS will play its seventh season on a field with artificial turf on the infield. The school announced Wednesday it is replacing the grass and will install turf in October.
“We’re the biggest program in town,” Ramirez said. “We need to have the nicest facility in town.”
Once the turf goes in, UIS will join Quincy as the only teams in the 16-team Great Lakes Valley Conference with turf infields.
“Three years ago, we were the only team in the GLVC that didn’t have a field,” Ramirez said. “Now we are one of two teams in the GLVC that will have turf. It takes us from being on the low end to being one on the high end.”
As part of its First Pitch Phase Facility Campaign, UIS raised $270,000 in donations in six months to install field turf on the infield.
The story was reported by the State Journal-Register on June 2, 2016.
Read the full article online.
It was mostly a blank canvas except for an outfield fence, chain link backstop, a bullpen, bases and pitching mound. In time for the 2014 baseball season, Ramirez transformed the practice diamond into a home field.
The Prairie Stars' inaugural season was 2011 and they played the first three years away from campus. In Ramirez's first season UIS began playing on campus, and the diamond has continued taking shape through the years.
UIS will play its seventh season on a field with artificial turf on the infield. The school announced Wednesday it is replacing the grass and will install turf in October.
“We’re the biggest program in town,” Ramirez said. “We need to have the nicest facility in town.”
Once the turf goes in, UIS will join Quincy as the only teams in the 16-team Great Lakes Valley Conference with turf infields.
“Three years ago, we were the only team in the GLVC that didn’t have a field,” Ramirez said. “Now we are one of two teams in the GLVC that will have turf. It takes us from being on the low end to being one on the high end.”
As part of its First Pitch Phase Facility Campaign, UIS raised $270,000 in donations in six months to install field turf on the infield.
The story was reported by the State Journal-Register on June 2, 2016.
Read the full article online.
Survey shows Sangamon County businesses worried about state finances
The Survey Research Office at the University of Illinois Springfield has released the Spring 2016 Sangamon County Economic Outlook Survey.
The study examines the economic perceptions, expectations and evaluations of Sangamon County businesses as well as public and non-profit organizations.
The spring 2016 survey reveals that economic expectations for the economy of Sangamon County have decreased slightly since the spring of 2015 across all economic sectors. More than a third of respondents (36%) expect to see a decline in the state of the overall economy in the next 12 months. Similarly, 27% say that overall employment will decline, and 25% think that revenue will also decrease in the next 12 months.
The story was reported by WUIS Radio on May 31, 2016.
Read/listen to the full story online.
The study examines the economic perceptions, expectations and evaluations of Sangamon County businesses as well as public and non-profit organizations.
The spring 2016 survey reveals that economic expectations for the economy of Sangamon County have decreased slightly since the spring of 2015 across all economic sectors. More than a third of respondents (36%) expect to see a decline in the state of the overall economy in the next 12 months. Similarly, 27% say that overall employment will decline, and 25% think that revenue will also decrease in the next 12 months.
The story was reported by WUIS Radio on May 31, 2016.
Read/listen to the full story online.
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