Terms of the contract for new University of Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman have been finalized. Whitman’s salary was announced when he was named to the post in February but other details were still being worked out and were announced Wednesday. Whitman’s base salary is $600,000 but he can receive bonuses of up to $200,000 each year. Bonuses include up to $70,000 for success on the field, court and classroom. He can earn up to $60,000 by meeting fundraising goals. Whitman will also be able to use two vehicles.
The Cardinals completed a sweep of the Cubs with a 7-2 win yesterday at Wrigley Field. Michael Wacha picked up his first win in nearly two months and Jake Arrieta fell to 11-2. The Cards haven’t swept at Wrigley Field since 1988. The Cardinals are off today before a weekend series in Seattle. The Cubs are in Miami tonight with lefties on the mound, Jon Lester for Chicago and Wei-Yin Chen for the Marlins.
The White Sox came from behind twice and took the lead in the eighth inning on a Brett Lawrie homer on the way to an 8-6 win in Boston. The series concludes this afternoon at Fenway Park as James Shields tries to get on track for the South Siders while the Red Sox counter with Rick Porcello.
The CornBelters surrendered eight runs in the first two innings off lefty Nick Lomascolo in his Normal debut as Gateway won in a rout 16-3. The rubber game and home stand finale is tonight as Chris Carmain starts for the Belters in his first outing since a complete game win on Saturday at Southern Illinois. Game time is 6:35 at the Corn Crib with a 6:20 pre-game on WJBC-AM 1230 and WJBC.com.
Derrick Rose is now a member of the New York Knicks. The Bulls traded Rose as part of a five-player deal. The Bulls receive center Robin Lopez and guards Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant. Rose averaged 16.4 points in 66 games last season.
Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane is the Hart Trophy winner as the most valuable player of the National Hockey League. Kane is the first U.S. born player to win the honor. Kane also received the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL’s most outstanding player as voted by the league’s players. Blackhawk Artemi Panarin received the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie.
The NHL has approved expansion to Las Vegas in 2017-18. The new club will play in the brand new T-Mobile Arena off the Vegas strip.
The Illinois High School Association has adopted new safety measures designed to protect players participating in post-season sports from high heat. Measures range from mandatory water breaks to postponement.
