Monday, June 23, 2008
Summer News and Notes
Thank you to both the Big Ten Network and Comcast for coming to an agreement, despite many unanswered questions. I am thankful that I will be able to watch my boys at home. It gets expensive (and sometimes a bit annoying) to be forced to go out to watch a game. I would much rather be able to choose what games I want to go out to watch. Now I can really start getting excited about football season!
But, before we get to football, we get to watch the Olympics. I love the Olympics. Former Illini gymnast and current assistant coach Justin Spring earned a spot on the men's gymnastics team and will be headed to Beijing. And there's added incentive to watch Coach K's basketball team -- Deron Williams is on the Team USA roster.
But it's so easy to get ahead of myself. We are in the heart of baseball season, the Cubs swept the White Sox at Wrigley, and center fielder (and reciever) Kyle Hudson was drafted in the fourth round by the Baltimore Orioles, making him the 4th highest Illini position player to go in the MLB draft. Illini RHP Scott Shaw was also taken in the draft, and made a strong pro debut with 8 strikeouts in 4 innings for a short-season Class-A affiliate of the New York Mets.
Wherever these guys go, a bit of orange and blue goes with them. They represent the Illini nation, and we wish them all the best. Go Illini!
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But, before we get to football, we get to watch the Olympics. I love the Olympics. Former Illini gymnast and current assistant coach Justin Spring earned a spot on the men's gymnastics team and will be headed to Beijing. And there's added incentive to watch Coach K's basketball team -- Deron Williams is on the Team USA roster.
But it's so easy to get ahead of myself. We are in the heart of baseball season, the Cubs swept the White Sox at Wrigley, and center fielder (and reciever) Kyle Hudson was drafted in the fourth round by the Baltimore Orioles, making him the 4th highest Illini position player to go in the MLB draft. Illini RHP Scott Shaw was also taken in the draft, and made a strong pro debut with 8 strikeouts in 4 innings for a short-season Class-A affiliate of the New York Mets.
Wherever these guys go, a bit of orange and blue goes with them. They represent the Illini nation, and we wish them all the best. Go Illini!
Labels: Big Ten Network, Comcast, Illini baseball, Illini Olympians
# posted by Alma Mater : 8:24 PM
Monday, May 21, 2007
Go Illini!
The men's tennis team has had another outstanding year, as Tupper notes. They play for the NCAA team championship tomorrow afternoon against Georgia.
Illini Jake Toohey was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week with a win and a save over the weekend, which helpled get the team into the field for the Big Ten Tournament, which starts later this week.
Good luck to both teams!
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Illini Jake Toohey was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week with a win and a save over the weekend, which helpled get the team into the field for the Big Ten Tournament, which starts later this week.
Good luck to both teams!
Labels: Illini baseball, Illini tennis
# posted by Alma Mater : 9:22 PM
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Beyond Basketball
Even though we have the "chalkiest" tournament in many years, it has produced it's share of close games and exciting finishes. But for those who were disheartened by the men's loss to Virginia Tech and Theresa Grentz and company losing in the second round of the WNIT to Kansas State, spring sports are in full swing.
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The baseball team went 5-1 on their spring trip, with catcher Lars Davis hitting 2 homers in the last game. Who knew Canadian catchers could hit so well? For those in the Champaign area, you can catch the home opener Tuesday night. And, track is in full swing, and the men's and women's teams both claimed four first-place finishes in the invitationals they attended over spring break.
And of course, spring football starts this week. Despite the dismissal of a couple players, things should be looking up on the football field.
Labels: Illini baseball, Illini track
# posted by Alma Mater : 3:21 PM
