In the 1960s, missionaries from such foreign places as Greece and England and South America and New York City landed on Springfield's barbarian shore. They introduced to the natives a new gospel that had conquered the rest of the world – soccer. Some had been players at home, others just fans, but all loved the game and like all enthusiasts wanted everyone in their adopted home to love it too.
Lauren Ladowski has always been a premier point guard on the University of Illinois Springfield women’s basketball team.
This year is no exception.
The junior standout currently leads the Prairie Stars in scoring for the fourth straight season. She not only averages 16.6 points but also 5.8 assists, 3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.
The University of Illinois Springfield men’s soccer team has the most wins in school history since moving up to the NCAA Division-II level in 2009.
They now have a bigger goal in mind — reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.
The University of Illinois Springfield men's basketball team starts the 2021 season Friday at the Lindenwood Tipoff Classic. The Prairie Stars are hoping to improve on their 8-12 record from last season.
Head coach Matt Brock said the Prairie Stars are excited for the return of fans.
"I'm excited about our team," Brock said. "All of our newcomers can make an impact in one way or the other. We got a lot of players that can play well. We're trying to find the right lineups and right combinations that play the best right now."
The University of Illinois Springfield women's basketball team tips off the season Friday at the Midwest Region Crossover.
The Prairie Stars return from their best Great Lake Valley Conference season record in program history. The 10-11 record is also the second best winning percentage in the NCAA era.
Blake Jones, Taryn Christy and Wyatt McIntyre have qualified for Nationals this week in Tampa. Channel1450 spoke with the three UIS Prairie Stars about their accomplishment, their goals and even got to know them a little bit better with some fun questions.
This interview happened on Nov. 14, 2021.
Making their first ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer tournament, the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars played host to Maryville on Sunday. Having scored just two goals all season, Chatham’s Darian Turner matched his total to help give the Prairie Stars the 2-1 victory over their conference rival.
This interview and article appeared on Channel 1450 on November 21, 2021.
The University of Illinois Springfield cross country program prides itself on local talent. All but one runner hails from the state of Illinois — most from downstate.
Those local connections would become extra meaningful this weekend if the entire men’s cross country team qualified for the NCAA Division II meet for the first time in school history.
Teachers and coaches leave such an impact on the lives of their athletes across the U.S. and globe.
Sunday at St. Charles, Mo., 26.2-Mile Cowbell Marathon, Edwardsville High School head girls, and boys cross country coach George Patrylak and University of Illinois Springfield head men’s and women’s cross country coach Tyler Pence, didn’t forget their athletes who are now going on to stardom in post-college events.
The University of Illinois Springfield women’s cross country team was only 10 points from perfection at the Prairie Star Invitational.
Lexi Throne, a Litchfield graduate and member of the women’s team, was the seventh, and final, UIS varsity team member to finish. She was 12th overall, touring the 5,000-meter course in 21 minutes, 27.0 seconds.
It was hosted by UIS, who finished with 25 points. Greenville University took second with 51 points.