Illinois State University has 18 intercollegiate sports teams[1]. Teams play in the NCAA Division 1 level and Football Championship Subdivision in football. The Illinois State Redbirds compete in the Missouri Valley Conference and the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Illinois State University has many student recreational athletic clubs as well as a number of intramural teams. Illinois State Redbirds continually achieve success in the Missouri Valley Conference, finishing in the top five for 31 straight years. Since joining the conference in 1982, the Redbirds have brought home 150 league titles—more than any other conference school during that period[2].
The ISU's men baseball team competes in the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference. The team plays their home games at Duffy Bass Field in Normal, Illinois. The field was moved there in 1988, and renovated from 2008-2009. In 1969 head coach Duffy Bass led the ISU baseball team to be national champions[3].
| Missouri Valley Conference Titles[4]: |
|---|
| Regular Season: 2000, 2013 |
| Tournament: 1994, 2010 |
| Athlete | All American Recognition[5] |
|---|---|
| Kevin Tokarski - SS | 2010 Ping! Baseball, First Team
2010 ABCA/Rawlings, Second Team 2010 Louisville Slugger, Third Team 2008 Louisville Slugger, Freshman Team |
| Kyle Bloom - P | 2002 Louisville Slugger, Freshman Team |
| Dave Macdonald - P | 2002 Louisville Slugger, Freshman Team |
| Mike Saunches - 1B | 2001 ABCA/PAwlings, Third Team |
| Jared Dufault - OF | 1991 Baseball America, Second Team |
| Ryan Duncheon - C | 1998 Baseball America, First Team |
| Dave Bergman - OF | 1974 Sporting News, First Team |
| Guy Homoly - OF | 1969 NCAA Division II, Second Team |
| Ed Sennett - P | 1966 NCAA Division II, Second Team |
| Bill Evans - P | 1963 NAIA, Honorable Mention |
| Bill Brown - OF | 1961 NAIA, Honorable Mention |
'Retired Jerseys and numbers:'[6]
| Retired # | Athlete | Retired Year |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Dave Bergman | 1994 |
| 13 | Duffy Bass | 1994 |
| 9 | Lee "Buzz" Capra | 2003 |
The Illinois State University Women’s Softball team competes in the NCAA Division I-AA Missouri Valley Conference. Since April 3, 1999 [7]The Marian Kneer Softball Stadium has been the Redbirds home. Originally, the Stadium was called The Redbird Softball Complex. A generous donation by Dr. Marian Kneer, a long time ISU softball supporter, steered it to be named The Marian Kneer Softball Stadium on April 3, 1999.
| Missouri Valley Conference Titles[8] |
|---|
| Regular Season: 1984, 85, 86, 90, 95, 96, 97, 01, 02, 03, 06, 11 |
| Tournament: 1985, 88, 95, 00, 01, 12 |
| Athlete | All American Recognition[9] |
|---|---|
| Kara Nelson - 2B/3B | 2011 Easton, Second Team
2010 NFCA, Third Team 2007 Easton, First Team 2007 NFCA, Second Team |
| Abby Olson - 3B | 2010 NFCA, Third Team |
| Shannon Nicholson - P | 2007 Easton, Second Team |
| Amber Smith - P | 2007 Easton, Second Team |
| Kate Stake - 2B | 2005 Easton, Second Team |
| Emily Krueger - 1B | 2004 Easton, Third Team |
| Audra Rast - P | 2002 Easton, Third Team |
| Cutie Taylor - OF | 2002 Easton, Second Team |
| Shae Wesley - P | 2002 Easton, Second Team |
| Nicole Kurth - P | 2001 Easton, Second Team |
| Becky McMurtry - 3B | 2001 Easton, First Team
2001 NFCA, Third Team |
| Heather Stella - 3B | 1998 NFCA, First Team
1998 Easton, Second Team 1997 NFCA, First Team 1997 Easton, First Team |
| Priscilla Welch - OF | 1997 NFCA, Third Team |
| Jodi Burch - P | 1995 NFCA, Third Team |
| Athlete (Olympian) | Year | Olympic Games[10] |
|---|---|---|
| Tina Kramos | 2004 | Athens |
The Illinois State University Men’s Basketball team currently competes in the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference. Their home games are played in The Doug Collins Court at the Redbird Arena. On Feb. 3, 2007 the court was named "Doug Collins Court" after legendary player, coach, Olympian, and broadcaster Doug Collins. Doug started at Illinois State from 1971-73.[11] The ISU’s basketballs first season was in 1971-1972. They joined the Missouri Valley Conference for their 1981-1982 season. They practice at the Horton Field House.[12]
| Missouri Valley Conference Titles[13]: |
|---|
| Regular Season: 1984, 92, 93, 97, 98 |
| Tournament: 1983, 90, 97, 98 |
| ISU Men’s Basketball Olympian[14] |
|---|
| Doug Collins: 1972 Munich Games |
| Athlete | All American Recognitions[15] |
|---|---|
| Jeff Wilkins - C | 1977 Citizens Savings Foundation, First Team
1977 Sporting News, Special Mention 1977 Converse Yearbook, Honorable Mention 1976 Converse Yearbook, Honorable Mention |
| Rick Whitlow - F | 1975 Converse Yearbook, Honorable Mention |
| Bubbles Hawkins - F | 1975 Dell All-Star Sports, First Team
1975 Converse Yearbook, Honorable Mention 1974 Super Sports Magazine, First Team |
| Ron deVries - C | 1974 Converse Yearbook, Honorable Mention |
| Doug Collins - G | 1973 United Press International, First Team
1973 Sporting News, First News 1973 U.S. Basketball Writers Association, First Team 1973 National Association of College Basketball Coaches, First Team 1973 Newspaper Enterprise Association, First Team 1973 Citizens Savings Foundation, First Team 1973 Basketball Weekly, First Team 1973 Converse Yearbook, First Team 1973 Street & Smith, First Team 1973 All-America Competitor Magazine, First Team 1973 Associated Press, Second Team 1973 Cord Sportsfacts Magazine, Second Team 1972 Helms, First Team 1972 Basketball News, Fifth Team 1972 Associated Press, Honorable Mention 1972 Sporting News, Honorable Mention 1971 Associated Press, Honorable Mention 1971 Converse Yearbook, Honorable Mention |
| Blaine Royer - G | 1969 Converse Yearbook, Honorable Mention |
| Tom Taulbee - C | 1969 Associated Press, Honorable Mention |
| George Terry - G | 1968 Assocaited Press, Honorable Mention
1968 United Press International, Honorable Mention |
| Jerry McGreal - G | 1968 Associated Press, First Team
1968 Converse Yearbook, Honorable Mention 1968 United PRess International, Honorable Mention 1967 Converse Yearbook, Honorable Mention |
| Fred Marberry - F | 1965 Converse Yearbook, Honorable Mention |
| Robert Talkin - G | 1944 Converse Yearbook, Honorable Mention |
The Illinois State University Redbirds Women Basketball team competes in the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference. The team plays home games at The Doug Collins Court at the Redbird Arena. They practice at the Horton Field House[16].
| Missouri Valley Conference Titles[17]: |
|---|
| Regular Season: 1984, 85, 89, 90, 08, 09, 10 |
| Tournament: 1983, 89, 05, 08 |
| Athlete | All American Recognitions[18] |
|---|---|
| Kristi Cirone - G | 2009 Associated Press, Honorable Mention
2009 Women's Basketball Coaches Association, Honorable Mention 2008 Associated Press, Honorable Mention 2008 Women's Basketball Coaches Association, Honorable Mention |
| Cathy Boswell - F | 1983 Women's Basketball Coaches Association, Honorable Mention
1982 Women's Basketball Coaches Association, Honorable Mention |
| Charlotte Lewis - C | 1977 Kodac, First Team
1975 Street & Smith, First Team |
| Athlete (Olympians) | Year | Olympic Games[19] |
|---|---|---|
| Cathy Boswell | 1984 | Los Angeles |
| Charlotte Lewis | 1976 | Montreal |
The Illinois State University Men’s football team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), and is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. ISU football home games are played at Hancock Stadium. Illinois State University’s first football team played in 1887.
| Missouri Valley Football Conference title[20]: |
|---|
| 1999 |
| NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs[21]: |
|---|
| 1998, 1999, 2006, 2012 |
Retired Jerseys and Numbers[22]
| Retired # | Athlete | Year Retired |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Estus Hood | 1995 |
| 72 | Dennis Nelson | 1995 |
| 15 | Mike Prior | 1995 |
Illinois State University’s swimming and diving team competes at the Horton Athletic Complex.[23]
| Missouri Valley Conference Titles[24]: |
|---|
| 1986, 88, 89, 90, 92, 96 |
| Athlete | All American Recognition[25] |
|---|---|
| Wenting Zhang | 2014 1-meter Diving
2014 3-meter Diving |
The Illinois State University Tennis teams compete in NCAA Division I-AA Missouri Valley Conference. The men and women’s team play their home games at the Gregory Street Tennis Courts[26] and at the indoor Evergreen Racquet Club[27].
| Missouri Valley Conference Titles[28]: | |
|---|---|
| Men's Tennis | Regular Season: 2006, 10 |
| Women's Tennis | Regular Season: 2001, 03, 04, 05, 06
Tournament: 2001, 03, 04, 05 |
Men’s and women’s Cross Country
editIllinois State University’s Men’s and Women’s Cross country team competes in the Missouri Valley Conference.
| Athlete | All American Recognition[29] |
|---|---|
| Alan Taylor | 1969 Cross Country
1968 Cross Country |
| Sue Daggett | 1996 Cross Country |
| Wendy VanMierlo | 1982 Cross Country |
Women's Volleyball
editThe Illinois State University Volleyball team competes in the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference. Their home games are played in the Doug Collins Court in the Redbird Arena[30]. The Arena began operation in 1989. They practice at the Horton Field House[31].
| Missouri Valley Conference Titles[32] | |
|---|---|
| Regular Season: | 1984, 85, 88, 89, 92, 93, 96, 97 |
| Tournament: | 1982, 83, 84, 85, 88, 89, 92, 96, 97 |
| Athlete | All American Recognition |
|---|---|
| Jolene Jordan-Hoover | 1985 Volleyball Magazine, Honorable Mention
1984 Volleyball Magazine, Second Team 1984 American Volleyball Coaches Association, Second Team |
The Weibring Golf Club is the on-campus home to the Illinois State University Golf team.[33]
| Missouri Valley Conference Titles[34]: | |
|---|---|
| Men's Golf | 1989, 92, 02, 05, 07 |
| Women's Golf | 1983, 85, 89, 91, 93, 97, 04, 05, 08, 09, 10, 11, 13 |
| Athlete | All American Recognition[35] |
|---|---|
| D.A. Weibring | 1975 NCAA Coaches, Honorable Mention |
| Frank Niepagen | 1967 College Division |
| Mike Orrison | 1967 College Division
1965 College Division |
| Jerry Diamond | 1965 College Division |
Women’s Gymnastics
editThe Illinois State University Women’s Gymnastics team competes in NCAA Division I-AA Missouri Valley Conference. The Horton Field House is used by the ISU Gymnastics team.[36]
| Missouri Valley Conference Title(s)[37] |
|---|
| 2012 |
The Illinois State University Women’s soccer team competes in NCAA Division I-AA Missouri Valley Conference. Since 1996 the Adelaide Street Field has been the home of Redbird women's soccer.[38]
| Missouri Valley Conference Titles[39] | |
|---|---|
| Regular Season: | 1998, 99, 01, 03, 07, 08, 09, 11, 13 |
| Tournament: | 2003, 09, 11, 12, 13 |
Men and Women’s Track and Field (Indoor and Outdoor)
editThe Illinois State University Track and Field team competes in the NCAA Division I-AA Missouri Valley Conference. During the outdoor season the team competes at home at the Redbird Track and Field Complex[40]. The team’s indoor facility is the Horton Field House.[41]
| National Champions[42] | Year | Coach |
|---|---|---|
| Dee Wilson | 1974 | Joyce Morton-Kief |
| Tom Smith | 1987 | John Coughlan |
| Tom Smith | 1988 | John Coughlan |
| Christian Goy | 2002 | Jeff Pigg |
| Tim Glover | 2011 | Elvis Forde |
| Tim Glover | 2012 | Elvis Forde |
| Athlete (Olympians) | Year | Olympic Games[43] |
|---|---|---|
| Adeola Aboyade-Cole (110HH) | 1976 | Montreal |
| Bruce Ijirigho (400m Dash) | 1976 | Montreal |
| Adeola Aboyade-Cole (110HH) | 1972 | Munich |
| George Daniels (100m Dash) | 1972 | Munich |
| Bruce Ijirigho (400m Dash) | 1972 | Munich |
| Tidye Ann Picket-Phillips (LH) | 1936 | Berlin |
| Missouri Valley Conference Titles:[44] | |
|---|---|
| Men's Track & Field: | Indoor: 1985, 86, 87, 88, 93, 94, 97, 98, 99
Outdoor: 1985, 86, 96, 99 |
| Women's Track & Field: | Indoor: 1983, 84, 85, 90, 91, 92, 96, 97
Outdoor: 1983, 84, 90, 97, 00 |
| Athlete (Men's) | All American Recognitions (Men's)[45] |
|---|---|
| Curt Jensen | 2014 Shot Put (Indoor) |
| Akil Mills | 2014 Weight Throw (Indoor)
2012 Weight Throw (Outdoor) |
| Tim Glover | 2013 Javelin
2012 Javelin - National Champion 2011 Javelin - National Champion |
| Christian Goy | 2002 Mile - National Champion (Indoor)
2001 Mile (Indoor) 1999 Distance Medley Relay |
| Tom Barrett | 2000 Weight Throw
2000 Hammer Throw 1999 Hammer Throw 1998 Hammer Throw |
| Chris Bailey | 2000 10,000-meter run |
| Peter Madsen | 1999 Distance Medley Relay |
| Julius Mwangi | 1999 3,000-meter run (Indoor)
1999 Distance Medley Relay |
| Dan Schrock | 1999 Weight Throw |
| Klint Wescom | 1999 Weight Throw |
| James Duncan | 1997 200-meter Dash (Indoor)
1995 200-meter Dash (Indoor) 1995 100-meter Dash (Outdoor) |
| Julius Edwards | 1997 400-meter Dash (Indoor) |
| Cedric Chapman | 1996 Weight Throw
1996 Discus |
| Dion Simmons | 1992 Triple Jump (Outdoor) |
| Kevin Clements | 1990 High Jump (Indoor)
1990 High Jump (Outdoor) 1989 High Jump (Indoor) |
| Dave Rzeszutko | 1990 800-meter Run |
| Tom Smith | 1989 High Jump (Outdoor)
1988 High Jump (Indoor) 1987 High Jump (Indoor) 1987 High Jump (Outdoor) |
| Darryl Frerker | 1987 Mile (Indoor) |
| Pete Palumbo | 1986 1,000-meter Run (Indoor) |
| Bruce Ewen | 1985 Weight Throw |
| Mike Baker | 1982 3-mile Run (Indoor)
1981 3-mile Run (Indoor) |
| Mike Matteson | 1980 10,000-meter Run (Outdoor) |
| Vince Jones | 1979 200-meter Dash (Outdoor) |
| Ron Zaeske | 1970 Intermediate Hurdles, College Division |
| Dick Forest | 1966 Pole Vault, College Division |
| Athlete (Women's) | All American Recognition (Women's)[46] |
|---|---|
| Brittany Smith | 2013 Shot Put (Outdoor)
2013 Weight Throw (Outdoor) 2012 Shout Put (Indoor) 2012 Weight Throw (Indoor) 2012 Shot Put (Outdoor) 2012 Hammer Throw (Outdoor) 2011 Weight Throw (Indoor) 2011 Shot Put (Indoor) 2010 Shot Put (Outdoor) 2010 Weight Throw (Indoor) |
| Aisha Praught | 2011 Mile (Indoor) |
| Leigh Petranoff | 2011 Javelin |
| Stacia Beste | 2002 10,000-meter Run |
| Katrine Nielsen | 2000 Heptathlon |
| Sam Serrano | 2000 Weight Throw |
| Talise Branch | 1997 Weight Throw |
| Sue Daggett | 1997 5,000-meter Run (Indoor)
1997 10,000-meter Run (Outdoor) 1996 Cross Country |
| Wendy VanMierlo | 1983 5,000-meter Run (Indoor)
1983 5,000-meter Run (Outdoor) 1982 Cross Country |
| ISU Retired Sports |
|---|
| Field Hockey |
| Men's Soccer |
| Wresting |
| Men's Gymnastics |
In the past Illinois State University has had success with these (now retired) sports.
National Champions:[48]
|
Athlete || Sport and Year || Coach | ||
|---|---|---|
| Willie Williams | Wrestling 1967 | Dick Irvin |
| Eric Bates | Wrestling 1970 | Bob Koehler |
Olympians:[49]
| Olympian | Sport | Year/Olympic Games |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Bracken | Wrestling | 2000 Australia |
All Americans:[50]
| Athlete | Sport | All American Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Issacson | Men's Gymnastics | 1978 NCAA, Pommel Horse |
| Mark Mueller | Men's Gymnastics | 1978 NCAA, Free Exercise |
| Greg Buwick | Men's Gymnastics | 1973 NCAA, Free Exercise |
| Paul Ziert | Men's Gymnastics | 1964 NCAA, Tumbling |
| Athlete | Sport | All American Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Holler | Wrestling | 1985 150 Pounds (5th Place), NCAA
1983 150 Pounds (5th Place), NCAA |
| Mike Jones | Wrestling | 1983 167 Pounds (8th Place), NCAA |
| Eric Bates | Wrestling | 1972 177 Pounds (6th Place), College Division
1971 167 Pounds (5th Pleace), College Division 1970 167 Pounds (1th Place), College Division 1969 160 Pounds (6th Place), College Division |
| Chris Quigley | Wrestling | 1972 126 Pounds (2nd Place), College Division |
| Mike Fiorini | Wrestling | 1970 190 Pounds (3rd Place), College Division |
| Fred Beilfuss | Wrestling | 1968 Heavyweight (3rd Place), College Division |
| Curt Sexton | Wrestling | 1968 160 Pounds (2nd Place), College Division
1967 160 Pounds (3rd Place), College Division |
| Dave Eberhard | Wrestling | 1967 115 Pounds (3rd Place), College Division |
| Ken Frus | Wrestling | 1967 130 Pounds (6th Place), College Division |
| Willie Williams | Wrestling | 1967 191 Pounds (1st Place), College Division
1965 191 Pounds, NAIA Second Team |
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- ^ "Marian Kneer Stadium". goredbirds.com. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
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- ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_State_Redbirds_football
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