For the first time in program history, all 15 UIS听athletic teams have earned the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Team Academic All-Conference Award. The honor, announced Monday as part of the GLVC's Academic Awards Week, recognizes teams that posted a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher for the 2024-25 academic year.
The UIS athletic department has announced the hiring of Liam Boyle as its new business administrative associate. Boyle comes to UIS from Salem University in West Virginia, where he served as a member of the athletics operations staff.
In his new role, Boyle will manage the business, financial and administrative operations for UIS Athletics. He will serve as a key point of contact for both internal and external stakeholders, providing administrative support in areas such as budgeting, onboarding, reporting and team travel coordination.听
Dear Prairie Star Nation,
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As I reach the one-year mark since I joined the UIS team on June 16, 2024, I wanted to share some thoughts on the first year and open a new channel of communication that I plan to use more often in the coming year.听
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The UIS men's basketball program has announced the hiring of Zack Jadzak as an assistant coach for the 2025-26 season. Jadzak brings a wealth of experience from several strong NCAA Division III programs and a proven track record of success both on the court and in recruiting.
The College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District baseball teams have been announced, with three Prairie Stars earning the honor for their combined success on the field and in the classroom in 2025.
Mark Kattula, Mack Clark, and Adam Lindsey were selected as the honorees from UIS. Kattula advances to the CSC Academic All-America ballot based on his exceptional athletic achievements during the 2025 season.
The College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District softball teams have been announced, with five Prairie Stars earning the honor for their combined success on the field and in the classroom.
Ella Brinkley, Rosie Bartletti, Addyson McClure, Isabella Wilson, and Taylor Zawacki were selected as the听honorees from UIS. Brinkley, Bartletti, and Zawacki advance to the CSC Academic All-America听ballot based on their exceptional athletic achievements in 2025.
The听Superhero Hustle 5K, hosted by听Downtown Kiwanis听and presented by听Springfield Clinic, is set for听Saturday, June 28, at听Scheels听in Springfield. Proceeds from the event will benefit both听The James Project听and听UIS soccer.
The family-friendly fun run encourages participants to dress as their favorite superheroes鈥攃ostumes are welcome and encouraged. Participants can run or walk at their own pace, and听all youth participants who register will receive a superhero cape. Registration is听$30 for adults and $15 for youth.
Prairie Stars pitcher听Mark DeCicco听has been named the听Jimmy John's Athlete of the Month for May, following a pair of standout performances that capped off a strong season on the mound for the junior right-hander.
DeCicco delivered two strong starts in May, including a dominant outing against Quincy in the听GLVC Tournament, where he tossed a听complete-game, nine-inning shutout听to keep UIS in the winner's bracket. The performance earned DeCicco a spot on the听GLVC All-Tournament Team听and marked his听fourth complete game of the season.听
UIS Athletics has officially named Emmons King the head coach of the Prairie Stars cross country and track & field program, removing the interim title he has held since fall 2022. King joined the UIS coaching staff as an assistant in 2021 and has led the program as interim head coach for the past three years.
During that time, the men's cross country team continued its run of top-four finishes at the GLVC Championships, and the women's team returned to the top four in fall 2024.
The 缅北禁地 Springfield athletic department has announced the hiring of Chris Rodriguez as the head coach of the Prairie Stars baseball program. Rodriguez's appointment marks a new chapter for the program, shaped by his focus on player development and competitive success.