Augusta National: The LPGA’s Final Frontier
By Rachel Spencer, Assistant Sports Editor
April 22, 2019
Don’t ask Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley about hosting a Ladies Professional Golf Association event at the home of The Masters. The topic of hosting a “Women’s Masters” has often been a touchy subject in the world of professional golf; after all, the LPGA has their own U.S. Open, Open C...
Terror survivors deserve continued care
By Hayley Nagelberg, Columnist
March 29, 2019
School shootings have become a frequent topic of conversation in the last few years. The discourse is divisive and political at times, and at other times unifying and uplifting. But the effect of these tragedies on surrounding communities is sometimes an afterthought. The trauma inflicted on those c...
Final curtain: It’s been a good run
By Eli Schuster, Sports editor
March 14, 2019
*Walks to center stage* I am not the smartest person in the room. How could I be? Looking back at the last year of being sports editor at The Daily Illini, I now realize how much I did not know. As I sat down at the helm of a three-table mega-desk in a newly converted basement with dingy tile floor...
UI mascot change far from possible
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
March 4, 2019
Disclaimer: I am about to utter a word that will make even the weakest Illini fan cringe. Mascot. With all of your might, please refrain from hitting the comment section immediately. To be quite frank, I do not care about your opinion on the matter. Likewise, I’m assuming you do not care about mi...
‘Twas the start of championship weekend
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
December 13, 2018
‘Twas the Final Four day, when all through Illinois Not a sports fan was talking, not even a college boy; The steel beams were hung by the new football facility with care In hopes more recruits would soon be there; Lovie was kicking it back in his chair, Reliving a two-year extension some called ...
Point guard play is hallmark of Illini basketball
By Brian Binz, Staff Writer
December 13, 2018
For a long time, Illinois basketball was defined by greatness. It consistently competed in the Big Ten and made the postseason, putting together a team that threatened for a deep run. Recently, the program has run into something of a dry spell, and what a let down it’s been. For the first time in school history...
College basketball has recent swing of bad beats
November 29, 2018
Sunday’s contest on the hardwood between Mississippi Valley State and Illinois was hardly competitive, but it did feature a significant event in its waning moments. Leading up to it, the Illini were in control. The team began to pull away with seven minutes left in the first half and did not look ...
Big Ten teams as NFL QB’s
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
August 27, 2018
Soon enough, our noses will be tickled with the sweet smell of pigskin in the morning. Saturdays and Sundays will be loaded with greasy snacks, minimal movement and plenty of mixed emotions. With all of this at the center of my mind, I decided to write a column full of wild accusations to connect bot...
The importance of storytelling: Sports coverage goes beyond field
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
April 30, 2018
“What makes sports so great?” *raises hand* Well, I’m glad you asked. I’ll stand by Grantland Rice’s old saying: “It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how you play the game.” For me, that phrase goes a long way. It most certainly isn’t about winning or losing, but often the person playin...
I want a walk-up song
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
April 23, 2018
I want it now! Pardon my channeling of my inner Veruca Salt, but baseball season has got me feeling some kind of way. It’s always fun to be sitting in the bleachers and hear the same 20 seconds of a song you vaguely know when a baseball player takes the plate. I have always been fascinated with the wal...
Illini losing culture: an epidemic of white noise
By Eli Schuster, Sports editor
April 12, 2018
The temperature reads 35 degrees as the blades on my desk fan whip around. I can’t sleep without a white noise. On cold nights, I’ll wear a sweatshirt. I don’t mean to get too personal. My night-time routine probably isn't very fascinating to you, but that's probably for the best. I need the wh...
Recruits show tides are changing for Illini athletics
By Eli Schuster, Sports editor
April 5, 2018
Isn’t it ironic? Bizarrely enough, I can’t help but think of the 1996 smash hit from Alanis Morissette that utters that question when thinking about my current situation as sports editor. I know you might be thinking this accusation is a stretch, or I’m just using this example for comedic eff...
