University of Illinois football was represented at the Big Ten Conference media day in Chicago by seniors Christian DiLauro, Jaylen Dunlap and Malik Turner, and of course, coach Lovie Smith. The coach discussed improving on a 3-9 opening season, and led off by saying what a difference a year makes, and discussed new starting quarterback Chayce Crouch. Athletic director Josh Whitman said Smith is the right man for the job and rebuilding will take time.
The main topic of conversation for Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany is the new six-year TV deals with both ESPN and FOX for football, basketball and other sports. There’s also a six-year deal with CBS for basketball. The Big Ten Network will expand to DirecTV Now, YouTube TV and Hulu.
Illinois State is represented by five players on the Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason team. Senior defensive back Davontae Harris, senior safety Alec Kocour, senior defensive lineman Dalton Keene and junior receiver Spencer Schnell are on the squad with senior kicker Sean Slattery earning honorable mention.
Due to the number of registrations, the Youth Camp portion of this week’s Pontiac Township High School baseball camp will be in conjunction with the Feeder School Pre-Season Camp, from 10:30-noon, each day, Wednesday-Friday, at the PTHS Varsity baseball field. For more information, contact the PTHS baseball program at [email protected].
The Cardinals beat the Rockies 8-2 to start a week-long homestand. Randal Grichuk homered for the fourth straight game to help support seven shutout innings from Mike Leake. The series continues tonight at Busch Stadium with Jon Gray on the hill for Colorado against the Cards’ Lance Lynn.
The White Sox ended a nine-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Cubs. Adam Engel and Matt Davidson homered for the Sox. The Cubs lost for only the second time in 10 games after the break and are now a half-game behind the Brewers in the National League Central.
The CornBelters take a second day off before facing the Washington Wild Things in a doubleheader tomorrow in suburban Pittsburgh followed by a single game on Thursday. The Belters head to suburban Cleveland for a three-game weekend series before returning home for a six-game homestand starting Tuesday against Evansville at the Corn Crib.
Illinois State softball coach Melinda Fischer has announced the promotion of Tina Kramos to senior associate head coach. Kramos enters her 18th season on the Redbird softball staff.
The Bloomington Thunder has announced general manager Charles Welde has been given a two-year contract extension following his first season with the franchise.
Former Bulls guard Derrick Rose has signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rose teams up with LeBron James with a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum salary of $2.1 million.
