blog navigation

Illinois Featured Content
Athletics

blog posts

  • Coach Henson poses with Final Four trophy

    Messages pour in honoring Coach Lou Henson

    Jul 31, 2020 12:45 pm

    As the news of legendary Fighting Illini basketball coach and ambassador Lou Henson's passing broke, hundreds of posts on social media were shared with personal anecdotes about the man in an orange blazer. 

  • Student-athletes run plays on the first day of fall training camp in shorts, no pads

    Happy New Year! Bielema, Illini begin fall training camp

    Aug 3, 2021 9:30 am

    Day one of training camp is like New Year's Day for Illinois head coach Bret Bielema. It marks the official start of a new season and Bielema's first at the helm in Champaign.

  • graphic with both teams' logos, game-time details in text

    Illini to host Kansas in charity exhibition game benefiting Maui wildfire relief

    Aug 21, 2023 10:00 am

    The men's basketball programs will partner in a charity exhibition game (5 p.m., Oct. 29) at State Farm Center and televised by BTN. All proceeds from this game will be donated to the Hawai'i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund.

  • Soccer team members celebrate goal

    Illini Soccer starts season 2-0 with Sunday win over Dayton

    Aug 26, 2019 8:45 am

    Junior Hope Breslin started the scoring for Illinois. Senior Arianna Veland converted a penalty kick for a 2-0 Illini lead, and freshman Eileen Murphy also netted her first career goal.

  • Mike Epstein carries the ball in a running play for Illinois against Akron in the first game of the 2019 season

    Epstein to miss remainder of 2019 season

    Sep 3, 2019 8:30 am

    Epstein led Illinois in rushing yards and yards per carry as a true freshman in 2017 and tied for the team lead in touchdowns. He became the fifth true freshman in program history to lead the team in rushing yards. 

  • Former Illini Kevin Anderson advances to the semi-finals of the US Open

    Sep 6, 2017 10:30 am

    On Tuesday night former Illini All-American, Kevin Anderson, advanced to the semi-finals of the US Open after defeating the No. 17-seeded Sam Querrey. 

  • Lou Henson upon his retirement in 2015. Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune

    Watch Lou Henson's Hall of Fame acceptance speech

    Sep 25, 2018 11:15 am

    Legendary Illinois basketball coach Lou Henson was one of 21 all-time Illini greats inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 22, 2018

  • Senior offensive lineman Alex Palczewski grimaces while awaiting the next play

    Illinois takes on Iowa in Big Ten West showdown

    Oct 7, 2022 9:15 am

    Saturday marks the Illini's first Big Ten home game of the season, and they will look to snap an eight-game losing skid against the Hawkeyes dating back to 2008. Here are three storylines to watch.

  • senior wide receiver Casey Washington featured on 'up next' graphic

    Illinois, Maryland meet Saturday on NBC

    Oct 10, 2023 1:00 pm

    The Fighting Illini and Terrapins play on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT at SECU Stadium in a game broadcast on NBC. Illinois (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) is looking for its first Big Ten win after dropping a 20-7 decision to Nebraska last Friday. 

  • graphic for media day by the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics

    Follow Illini Men's Basketball at Big Ten Media Day

    Oct 13, 2016 11:30 am

    Head coach John Groce and seniors Tracy Abrams and Malcolm Hill are in the nation's capital on Thursday making the rounds at the annual Big Ten Media Day heading into the 2016-17 season. 

  • graphic promoting the 10/29/2022 football game at Nebraska features linebacker Ryan Meed

    No. 17 Illini travel to Lincoln to take on Nebraska

    Oct 26, 2022 10:30 am

    Illinois returns from its second bye week and will travel to take on Nebraska in Lincoln on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT as the Fighting Illini look to extend their five-game winning streak.

  • Illini Football running back Reggie Corbin carrying the ball against Minnesota

    Watch BTN The Journey: Reggie Corbin's Story

    Nov 8, 2018 8:30 am

    Learn more about Illini running back Reggie Corbin who agreed to play rugby in high school under unique circumstances, lost his mom at an early age, is having a breakout football season

  • Forward/center Geovana Lopes featured in a graphic promoting the U of I game against SIUE on Thursday night

    Women's Basketball welcomes SIUE to State Farm Center tonight

    Nov 18, 2021 9:15 am

    This is the third of a four-game home stand to open the season. It will be the fifth time the Fighting Illini have faced the Cougars. Illinois leads the overall series, 4-0.

  • image of Illini soccer coach Janet Rayfield

    National Soccer Coaches Association gives Rayfield its Award of Excellence

    Dec 3, 2015 12:15 pm

    Rayfield established the University of Illinois women's soccer team as one of the premier programs in the nation. She has led Illinois to the NCAA Tournament in 10 of her 14 seasons.

  • Trent Frazier all fired up during a previous game against Missouri

    Braggin' Rights Breakdown

    Dec 18, 2019 8:30 am

    The Fighting Illini head to St. Louis this Saturday to face Missouri in the annual Braggin' Rights rivalry game (Noon CT).

  • Illinois and Missouri athletics logos over downtown St. Louis scene

    Braggin' Rights game notes: Illinois vs Missouri

    Dec 21, 2018 8:45 am

    Following a one-week break in the game schedule for fall semester final exams, Illinois returns to action Saturday night (7 p.m.) in the 38th Braggin' Rights game

  • smiling Coach Lovie Smith disembarks from a bus in San Francisco

    Illini arrive in San Francisco for Dec. 30 Redbox Bowl

    Dec 27, 2019 11:00 am

    The Fighting Illini arrived at their hotel on Thursday afternoon ahead of their Redbox Bowl match with with California, scheduled for Monday, Dec. 30, at Levi's Stadium (3 CT). 

  • Illinois wrestler Emery Parker wins Midlands championship

    Jan 2, 2018 9:30 am

    Redshirt junior Emery Parker won the 55th Ken Kraft Midlands 184-pound championship with an 8-2 victory over top-seeded Nate Jackson on Saturday night at the Sears Centre.

  • Landrus coaching during a meet

    Women's Gymnastics Head Coach Kim Landrus previews the 2017 season

    Jan 5, 2017 9:45 am

    Landrus, entering her sixth year at the helm of Illini women's gymnastics, gives a class-by-class breakdown

  • Marcus Domask shoots a fade-away jumper against Northwestern on January 2,2024

    Marcus Domask named Big Ten Player of the Week

    Jan 9, 2024 9:00 am

    Domask earns the award after averaging 29 points, 5.5 assists and 4 rebounds while shooting 59.4% from the field, 66.7% from 3-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line in matchups vs. Northwestern and Purdue.   

  • State Farm Center during a Women's Basketball game

    Women's Basketball Pack the House game Sunday

    Jan 26, 2018 9:15 am

    Help 'Pack the House' for the Illini as they host the Wisconsin Badgers live on the Big Ten Network. Admission to the game is free for all fans

  • scene from a previous match against Minnesota

    Illini Wrestling travels to Minnesota for next Big Ten dual

    Jan 27, 2023 9:00 am

    No. 17 Fighting Illini wrestling squad heads to Minnesota Saturday to take on the No. 11 Golden Gophers (1 p.m., BTN). Lst weekend the Illini lost 17-17 at No. 15 Northwestern via tiebreakers, but had a dominant win at home against No. 22 Maryland.

  • Women's Gymnastics returns to Huff Hall for 'Salute to Service' meet

    Feb 1, 2019 8:30 am

    The Illini return home for their conference slate, hosting Penn State on Saturday afternoon in a meet that honors military and public safety members

  • redshirt junior Jacob Grandison featured on the graphic promoting Illinois vs. Indiana matchup

    Fighting Illini at Indiana tonight

    Feb 2, 2021 8:00 am

    No. 12 Illinois is on the road for the first time since Jan. 7, playing at Indiana Tuesday night (8 p.m. CT, ESPN). Illinois is  looking for its first win in Bloomington since 2010.

  • Laski to Serve as Honorary Captain vs. Duke

    Feb 2, 2024 8:30 am

    Illinois men's tennis all-time great Jeff Laski will be the Fighting Illini's honorary captain when Illinois takes on Duke on Friday at Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini and Blue Devils compete at 6 p.m. CT.

  • U.S. bobsledders Aja Evans and Jamie Greubel Poser

    Alumna Aja Evans in medal contention after day one of Olympic bobsledding

    Feb 20, 2018 11:00 am

    Former Illini track and field star turned U.S. bobsledder Aja Evans, alongw with pilot Jamie Greubel Poser, is in fourth place at the midway point of the two-women bobsleigh competition

  • Sophomore catcher Bella Loya

    Bella Loya named Big Ten Softball Player of the Week

    Feb 26, 2019 8:15 am

    After a dominating offense performance to lead Illini softball at the Mardi Gras Invitational, sophomore designated player/catcher Bella Loya was named Big Ten Conference Player of the Week.

  • Bryan Baumgarten squatting to line up a putt

    Baumgarten named Big Ten Golfer of the Week

    Feb 28, 2019 8:15 am

    Bryan Baumgarten tied for a runner-up finish in the Louisiana Classics tournament, carding a 5-under par 67 in the final round to climb the individual leaderboard, help Illinois to a second-place team finish.

  • image of Josh Whitman and Ryan Baker provided by DIA

    Watch new AD Josh Whitman's interview with Ryan Baker

    Mar 3, 2016 10:45 am

    Josh Whitman talks with Ryan Baker about coming home, interacting with Illini Nation, his passion for Illinois and more.

  • part of the NCAA tournament bracket showing Illinois playing Penn STate on March 9

    Big Ten Tournament bracket set for men's basketball

    Mar 6, 2023 8:15 am

    Illinois (20-11, 11-9) is the No. 7 seed and opens play Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT on BTN, facing No. 10 seed Penn State (19-12, 10-10).

  • The Illini baseball team huddles with fists in the air after a win at Coastal Carolina ealier this year

    Afternoon baseball at Illinois Field: Illini host Butler

    Mar 15, 2022 8:45 am

    Illinois is coming off their first weekend series win at Western Kentucky, taking the first two games of the weekend and dropping the third. The Illini scored a combined 21 runs on 27 hits in the first two games of the series at Western Kentucky.

  • image from an Illini wrestling meet

    Follow the six Illini Wrestlers at the NCAA Championships

    Mar 17, 2016 11:45 am

    Six Illini wrestlers will compete for the Orange & Blue, headlined by No. 1 seed and defending national champion Isaiah Martinez at 157-pounds.

  • Trent Frazier, Kofi Cockburn, Coleman Hawkins and other Illini players celebrate a three point shot on the sidelines during a recent game

    NCAA First Round Preview: Illinois vs. Chattanooga Friday

    Mar 17, 2022 8:45 am

    Fighting Illini Men's Basketball enters the weekend aiming to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005, when it went on to play in the national championship game. The game is scheduled for 5:50 p.m. CT.

  • five Illini form a tight huddle

    Illini open NCAA Tournament Thursday vs. Morehead State

    Mar 19, 2024 9:15 am

    Illinois is the No. 3 seed in the East region and will open their NCAA Tournament run against No. 14 seed Morehead State (26-8) on Thursday in Omaha, Neb. Game time is set for 2:10 p.m. CT and will be televised on TruTV. 

  • gymnast Brittany Jones strikes a pose during her routine

    Perseverance pays off for Illini gymnast Brittany Jones

    Mar 23, 2020 11:15 am

    Brittany Jones didn't make her women's gymnastics debut until nearly two and a half years after she arrived on campus. But in the fall of 2016she was healthy, happy and ready to compete. A series of injuries changed all that.

  • women's gymnastics team group photo

    Women's Gymnastics earns NCAA Regional berth to Ann Arbor

    Mar 26, 2019 8:00 am

    Illinois has advanced to NCAA Regionals in each of the past 16 seasons. 2019 also marks the sixth consecutive season the squad has advanced to an NCAA Regional under head coach Nadalie Walsh.

  • image of tennis doubles partners congratulating each other

    Seven straight wins for Illini Women's Tennis

    Apr 11, 2016 10:45 am

    For the second-consecutive season, the women's tennis team has strung together a seven-match winning streak, thanks to a 5-2 win over unranked Purdue on Sunday, April 10

  • image of Jon Davis running with graphic congratulating him on Athlete of the Week honors

    Jon Davis is Big Ten Track Athlete of the Week

    Apr 14, 2021 10:30 am

    Jon Davis was named the Big Ten Track Athlete of the Week and Manning Plater was named the Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week the conference office announced on Wednesday. 

  • image of Skyy Clark wearing an Illinois jersey

    Illinois signs Skyy Clark

    Apr 14, 2022 9:15 am

    Clark is a 6-foot, 3-inch, 200-pound guard from Los Angeles who currently attends Montverde (Fla.) Academy. He is a five-star prospect by 247Sports Composite and the highest-ranked recruit to sign with the Fighting Illini in the last 20 years. 

  • Illini junior Aiden Ouimet.

    Ouimet breaks decathlon program record as Illini open weekend action

    Apr 15, 2022 10:45 am

    The Illinois women's and men's track and field teams saw historic performances at both the Mt. SAC Relays and the Bryan Clay Invitational on Thursday, highlighted by a new school record in the decathlon from junior Aiden Ouimet.

  • right handed pitcher Riley Gowens in his windup

    Illini Baseball records 11th no-hitter in program history

    Apr 26, 2021 10:15 am

    It was the first ever no-hitter on the road Sunday afternoon at Purdue. The combination of Riley Gowens, Ryan O'Hara and Cole Kirschsieper were the trio that etched their names in the record book.

  • composite image of the honorees

    Illini Softball: Seven named to All-Big Ten teams

    May 11, 2022 11:00 am

    Avrey Steiner named First Team All-Big Ten. Sydney Sickels, Kailee Powell named Second Team. Paige Berkmeyer, Lauren Wiles, Stevie Meade named to the All-Freshman team. Lakyn Wagoner earned the Sportsmanship Award.

  • Fighting Illini softball players react to being selected for the NCAA tournament.

    Illini softball headed back to NCAA tournament

    May 13, 2019 11:15 am

    For the seventh time in program history and the third time in the last four seasons, the Illinois softball team earned a berth into the 2019 NCAA Tournament and was selected as one of the 32 at-large bids, as announced on the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday (May 12) night.

  • Jonathan Wells wins Big Ten high jump

    May 14, 2018 3:15 pm

    Wells won the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Championships high jump competition with a new school-record height of seven feet, five inches (2.26 meters).

  • Football fans cheer

    Illinois football mini ticket plans are on sale

    May 15, 2019 1:00 pm

    Two- and three-game mini ticket plans for the 2019 Illinois football season are on sale through the Fighting Illini ticket office. 

  • Illini softball players in action

    Illini softball quartet earns NFCA all-region accolades

    May 16, 2019 12:00 pm

    The accolades continued to roll in for the Illinois softball team with a quartet of Illini collecting National Fastpitch Coaches Assocation All-Midwest Region honors, the organization announced on Thursday (May 16).

  • Illini baseball team photo at Illinois Field

    Illini Baseball set for regular season finale vs. UT Martin

    May 18, 2023 9:45 am

    Illini baseball (23-24, 12-12) returns to Champaign for the final series of the season against UT Martin (21-31, 14-10) in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. 6:00 p.m. first pitch on Thursday and Friday, 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.

  • Graphic: Kovacevic 100 Career Wins

    Men's Tennis: Three-for-three in first round; Kovacevic wins 100th match

    May 24, 2021 9:30 am

    All three Illini are moving onto the round of 32 after sweeping their matches today. Zeke Clark, Aleks Kovacevic and Siphosothando Montsi each defeated their opponents in straight sets. Kovacevic's win marks the 100th singles win of his career.

  • banner ad for ncaa regional baseball games at illinois

    Get tickets for the NCAA Baseball Regionals at Illinois Field

    May 27, 2015 9:30 am

    The sixth-seeded Fighting Illini host Ohio, Notre Dame and Wright State at Illinois Field for 2015 NCAA Regionals May 29-June 1. All-Session and single-game tickets are on sale now.

  • Aleks Kovacik hits a return shot

    Aleks Kovacevic earns ITA All-American status

    May 31, 2019 9:15 am

    Junior Aleks Kovacevic adds 2019 ITA All-America singles honors to his growing list of accomplishments. In Illini Women's Tennis, sophomore Asuka Kawai was also named an ITA All-America recipient.