The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini

Eli Schuster

Eli Schuster, Sports Editor

My name is Elias Schuster, and I am extremely happy to be in the sports editor role here at The Daily Illini. I am currently a senior here at the University studying journalism and have a strong passion for sports. For the past three years, I have worked at the DI producing digital content. I have covered both Illinois football and basketball for the last three seasons and previously held the sports video editor title. A little background on me, I am originally from a suburb outside Chicago called Vernon Hills, Illinois. Growing up outside a sports-centric city quickly made me fall in love with the sports world. It also made me quickly fall in love with deep dish pizza, but that's beside the point. Anyway, if you have any questions or comments about anything at all, please feel free to contact me. Oh, and keep up to date with all the latest news via twitter @Schuster _Elias and @di_sports.

[email protected]

Final curtain: It’s been a good run

Final curtain: It’s been a good run

By Eli Schuster, Sports editor March 14, 2019
Illinois quarterback AJ Bush (1) passes the ball during the game against Iowa at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018.

2018 starters compete for a spot in NFL

By Eli Schuster, sports editor March 14, 2019
A popular online image which has received plenty of attention, the otter sports an Illini jersey as advocacy for the “Alma Otter” to become a University symbol gains traction.

UI mascot change far from possible

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor March 4, 2019
Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) high fives fans after the game against Rutgers at State Farm Center on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. The Illini won in overtime, 99-94.

Bezhanishvili: A basketball love story

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor February 11, 2019
Illinois fans jump to their feet after a kill for the Illinois volleyball team during the Final Four match against Nebraska. Illinois won the first two sets before dropping three-straight to fall out of the tournament.

Final Four demonstrates volleyball growth

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor January 17, 2019
Illinois outside hitter Megan Cooney (15) and outside hitter Beth Prince (8) cut the net after the match against Wisconsin Saturday. The Illini will participate in the Final Four in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this week.

Top 10 Illinois sports moments of 2018

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor January 8, 2019
Austin Yattoni The Daily illini
Illinois head coach Lovie Smith looks up at the scoreboard during the game against Iowa at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 17.

‘Twas the start of championship weekend

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor December 13, 2018
Illinois outside hitter Jacqueline Quade (right) hugs middle blocker Ashlyn Fleming (left) after the match against Wisconsin in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament at Huff Hall on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. The Illini won 3-1.

Win secures Final Four spot

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor December 8, 2018
Illinois running back Dre Brown (25) celebrates with wide receiver Ricky Smalling (4) after scoring a touchdown during the game against Minnesota at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 3.

Press Box Bundle: Illinois vs. Minnesota

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor November 7, 2018

Illini football player Lere Oladipo arrested

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor October 28, 2018
Press Box Bundle: Illinois vs. Purdue

Press Box Bundle: Illinois vs. Purdue

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor October 16, 2018
Illinois wide receiver Ricky Smalling (left) celebrates with wide receiver Trenard Davis (right) after scoring a touchdown during the game against Penn State at Memorial Stadium on Friday. The Illini lost 63-24.

Press Box Bundle: Illinois vs. No. 10 Penn State

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor September 27, 2018
Illinois tight end Austin Roberts (36) and quarterback Cam Miller (16) carry the American and Illinois flags onto the field before the game against USF at Soldier Field on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Illinois vs. USF: Press Box Bundle

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor September 18, 2018
Illinois running back Mike Epstein runs the ball during the
game against USF at Soldier Field on Saturday. The Illini lost
25-19.

Players need to retain confidence despite lows

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor September 17, 2018

Place proper importance on injuries

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor September 13, 2018
Illinois quarterback AJ Bush (1) celebrates while running onto the field at the start of the game against Western Illinois at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018.

Illinois vs. Western Illinois: Press Box Bundle

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor September 11, 2018
Freshman quarterback Cam Thomas (10) runs the ball down field in the Illinis game against Minnesota. The Illini lost 24-17.

Cam Thomas leaves Illinois football program

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor September 6, 2018
Illinois head coach Lovie Smith sings Hail to the Orange with his team after the game against Kent State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.

Booing inspires victory

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor September 4, 2018
Illinois running back RaVon Bonner (21) rushes the ball during the game against Kent State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.

Illinois vs. Kent State: Press Box Bundle

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor September 2, 2018
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky of the Chicago Bears competes
in a game against the Minnesota Vikings in 2017. Trubisky is a
young NFL talent that, much like the Illini football team, looks
for big improvement.

Big Ten teams as NFL QB’s

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor August 27, 2018
CU theaters try to gain public interest

CU theaters try to gain public interest

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor April 25, 2018

I want a walk-up song

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor April 23, 2018
McFadden accepted the honor of being this years Homecoming Grand Marshall.

Illinois alumna wins fifth Boston Marathon

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor April 16, 2018
I would like to thank the academy

I would like to thank the academy

By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor March 29, 2018
Illinois D.J. Williams drives to the basket against Detroit at State Farm Center on Nov. 18.

Former Illinois basketball player D.J. Williams transfers to GWU

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video June 21, 2017
Former Illinois golfer Thomas Pieters lines up his putt to the first hole at the Stone Creek Golf Club in Urbana on Wednesday, April 18, 2012.

Former Illinois golfer shines in Masters debut

By Eli Schuster, Assistant sports editor for video April 11, 2017
Illlinois head coach John Groce walks back to the bench during a timeout in the game against Wisconsin at State Farm Center on Tuesday, January 31. The Illini lost 57-43.

[Video] WATCH: Recap of John Groce firing

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video March 11, 2017
Illinois Leron Black (12) goes up for a layup during the game against Michigan State at State Farm Center on Wednesday, March 1.

WATCH: Illinois vs. Michigan St. men’s basketball highlights

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video March 2, 2017
Illinois Malcolm Hill (21) high fives Tracy Abrams (13) after Abrams hit a three during the game against Northwestern at State Farm Center on Tuesday, February 21.

[Video] WATCH: Illinois vs. Northwestern men’s basketball highlights

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video February 23, 2017
Illinois TeJon Lucas (3) plays defense during the game against Penn State at State Farm Center on Saturday, February 11. The Illini lost 83-70.

[Video] WATCH: Illinois vs. Penn State men’s basketball highlights

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video February 13, 2017
Illinois Jaylon Tate (1) gets blocked by Minnesotas Eric Curry (24) during the game against Minnesota at State Farm Center on Saturday, February 4. The Illini lost 68-59.

[Video] WATCH: Illinois vs. Minnesota men’s basketball highlights

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video February 5, 2017
Illinois Kipper Nichols (2) goes up for a layup during the game against Wisconsin at State Farm Center on Tuesday, January 31. The Illini lost 57-43.

[Video] Video: Illinois vs. Wisconsin men’s basketball highlights

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video February 1, 2017
Illinois TeJon Lucas (3) dribbles around his defender during the game against Iowa at State Farm Center on Wednesday, January 25.

[Video] Video: Illinois vs. Iowa men’s basketball highlights

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video January 27, 2017
Illinois Tracy Abrams (13) shoots a three during the game against Central Michigan at State Farm Center on Saturday, December 10. The Illini won 92-73.

[Video] Video: Illinois vs. Central Michigan basketball highlights

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video December 11, 2016
Illinois Malcolm Hill (21) drives to the basket during the game against North Carolina State at State Farm Center on Tuesday, November 29. The Illini won 88-74.

[Video] Video: Illinois vs. NC State basketball highlights

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video December 1, 2016
Illinois Malcolm Hill (21) shoots a three during the game against Northern Kentucky at State Farm Center on Sunday, November 13. Hill scored a career high of 40 points and the Illini won 79-64.

[Video] Video: Fighting Illini men’s basketball opening weekend highlights

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video November 15, 2016
Illinois running back Kendrick Foster (22) reaches towards the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, November 5. The Illini lead 7-6 at halftime.

[Video] WATCH: Highlights from the Illinois-Michigan State football game

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video November 6, 2016
Illinois running back Kendrick Foster (22) tries to break a tackle on a kick return during the first half of the game against Minnesota at Memorial Stadium on Saturday October 29. The Illini are losing 14-7 at half.

[Video] WATCH: Highlights of the Illinois-Minnesota football game

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video October 31, 2016
Illinois quarterback Chayce Crouch runs for a touchdown in the game against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on October 8. The Illini lost 34-31.

WATCH: Highlights the Illinois-Purdue football game

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video October 11, 2016
Members of the Marching Illini cheer on the Illini during the game against North Carolina at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Illini lost 48-23.

WATCH: Saturday’s Illini football home game vs. UNC

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video September 12, 2016
Illinois running back Kendrick Foster (22) runs down the field during the game against Murray State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 3. The Illini won 52-3.

WATCH: What you missed at the home opener

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Editor for Video September 5, 2016
Illinois defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot lines up waiting for the snap during the game against Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 26, 2015.

WATCH: Are you ready for Illinois football?

By Eli Schuster, Assistant Sports Video Editor September 2, 2016
Alternative Quad Day events

Alternative Quad Day events

By Eli Schuster, Assistant sports video editor August 21, 2016
Students listening to a lecture in a Community Health class in Lincoln Hall

Sorry, parents, academics are up to the student

By Eli Schuster, Assistant sports editor for video May 25, 2016
ILLordle: Play now