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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

Sam Rink

Sam Rink, Assistant Photo Editor

Hi! I’m Sam Rink, and I am a junior studying journalism and minoring in critical film production and gender & women’s studies. I started working at Illini Media Company in Fall 2023 as a staff photographer for the Illio, and I became the Senior Photographer for both the Illio and The Daily Illini in Spring 2024. Now, I’m the Assistant Photo Editor for both publications! Multimedia journalism is a huge passion of mine, so you might see my work in other publications around Champaign-Urbana. You can check out more of my photography or contact me through my socials or email linked below.

Senior wide receiver Hank Beatty stands in the endzone during warm ups at the game versus No. 1 Ohio State University on Oct. 11. The Buckeyes defeated the Illini 34-16.

[Photo] Small-town players make big-time impact

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter Oct 30, 2025
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema paces in the endzone during warmups before the game vs. No. 1 Ohio State on Oct. 11.

[Photo] Column: notebook from Illinois’ loss

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter Oct 13, 2025
Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer warms up before the Illinois vs. Western Michigan on Sept. 13.

[Photo] Goliath comes to town

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter Oct 10, 2025
Otis Pavlovic, lead singer of Australian alternative band Royel Otis, performs with the band during the 2024 Pygmalion festival at The Canopy Club on Sept. 19, 2024.

[Photo] PYGMALION brings rising stars, community to CU

By Bryana Perez, Senior Arts & Entertainment Writer Sep 16, 2025
Mike Ross, director of the Krannert Center for Performing Arts, welcomes patrons to the ELLNORA guitar festival, which kicked off Krannert's 2025-2026 season on Thursday.

[Photo] Krannert kicks off season with Opening Night Party

By Bryana Perez, Senior Arts & Entertainment Reporter Sep 4, 2025
People explore Hispanic RSOs and dance together on the lawn of La Casa Cultural Latina at its Paleta Social on Aug. 25. DJ Silkee played popular line dances and party songs that kept the crowd on its feet.

[Photo] La Casa hosts Paleta Social

By Anna Ceja, Assistant News Editor Aug 26, 2025
Newly graduated Illinois students link arms and sing "Hail to the Orange" to conclude the 2025 Illinois Commencement ceremony on May 17.

Gallery | Illinois Commencement 2025

By Sam Rink, Assistant Photo Editor May 21, 2025
Dawson Daugherty, lead vocalist of almost monday, performs alongside the band at The City Center on May 6.

[Photo] almost monday brings welcome vibe to City Center

By Thomas O’Sullivan, Senior Arts & Entertainment Reporter May 7, 2025
Good Judys owners Jeffery and Dakota Thomas-Wilhelm wash dishes together on March 21. The couple, originally from Iowa, opened the espresso and bagel bar in January 2024.

[Photo] Good Judys builds connections a dozen bagels at a time

By Bryana Perez, Senior Arts & Entertainment Reporter Apr 10, 2025
Mattie Fash, a graduate student studying poetry, holds books on witchcraft at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana on March 5. Fash lives near the park and visits it often to reconnect with nature.

[Photo] Mattie Fash wields witchcraft, poetry in self-discovery quest

By Felicity Abbott, Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor Apr 10, 2025
Freshman Matthew Vu Nguyen at the men's gymnastics Senior Day meet on March 8. Illinois lost the meet to Penn State 312.550-321.750.

[Photo] Season in retrospect

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer Mar 25, 2025
Senior Emmalise Nock performs her beam routine during a meet against Ohio State on Feb. 7. Illinois upset Ohio State with a team score of 196.150-195.475.

[Photo] There’s no ‘I’ in team

By Laura Mendes, Staff Writer Mar 15, 2025
Connor McCool, assistant coach of the Illinois men’s gymnastics team, throws up his hands to egg on the cheering crowd after fifth-year Will Hauke sticks his dismount on the parallel bars on March 1. Illinois won the meet against Army and Greenville with a final score of 316.700.

[Photo] Q&A | McCool goes from athlete to coach

By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter Apr 14, 2025