SEMESTER INREVIEW WEDNESDAY December 16, 2015
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UI staff changes in fall 2015 semester Name: Phyllis Wise Title: Chancellor Date resigned: Aug. 6 Reason: In her resignation letter Wise cited “external circumstances” that distracted her from her job. The University released over 1,100 pages of emails that skirted Freedom of Information Act requests. Interim: Barbara Wilson, dean of LAS
DAILY ILLIINI FILE PHOTO
Former Athletic Director Mike Thomas addresses the media following the dismissal of head football coach Tim Beckman Aug. 28.
Name: Ilesanmi Adesida Title: Provost Date resigned: Aug. 24 Reason: Adesida resigned nearly three weeks after Wise, on the first day of fall classes. In his resignation letter Adesida also asserted that current controversies were “causing too many distractions.” Interim: Edward Feser, dean of FAA
Investigations, lawsuits shake up Illinois athletics was expected to coach the team at the start of the season until Thomas received the preliminary results of the investigation and fired Beckman on Aug. 28, a week before the start of the season. Thomas cited that Beckman was found guilty of player mistreatment and scholarship mistreatment, forcing Thomas to fire the coach before the release of the full report. Offensive coordinator Bill Cubit was named the interim head coach after Beckman’s firing. Cubit provided calm and stability for much of the season until the full report was released on Nov. 9. The investigation revealed the extent of Beckman’s mistreatment of the player, including his lack of belief in hamstring injuries. No other coach on the staff was found guilty of player mistreatment. Although the report said Thomas did not show any prior knowledge of the wrongdoing by Beckman, Interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson announced that the former athletic director would be fired for all the negative light on the athletic depart-
BY MICHAL DWOJAK STAFF WRITER
The influence of social media and players’ willingness to speak up helped cause changes in the Illinois athletic department during the fall semester. A series of tweets sent out on Mother’s Day by former football player Simon Cvijanovic and additional reports of allegations of player abuse in the women’s basketball program ultimately resulted with the firing of the University’s athletic director Mike Thomas, head football coach Tim Beckman and assistant women’s basketball coach Matt Divilbiss. Cvijanovic’s tweets prompted former chancellor Phyllis Wise — who resigned in August — to launch an investigation into the accusations made by the former offensive lineman. Thomas stood by Beckman after the accusations were made, which might have sunk the former athletic director. Chicago law firm Franczek Radelet conducted the investigation for much of the summer. Beckman
Name: Mike Thomas Title: Athletic Director Date fired: Nov. 9 Reason: Thomas was fired due to too many investigations and lawsuits during his tenure, which cast the athletics department in a negative light. Interim: Paul Kowalczyk, senior associate athletic director Name: Tim Beckman Title: Head football coach Date fired: Aug. 28 Reason: Beckman was fired after allegations of player mistreatment and abuse of player scholarship were revealed in the preliminary report of an independent investigation. Replaced by: Bill Cubit, formerly Illini offensive coordinator
ment during the past year. While there was change in the football program, some spring cleaning was about to take place in the women’s basketball program. Former players accused head coach Matt Bollant and Divilbiss of player mistreatment, including mistreatment based on race. Wise announced that the University would conduct a separate investigation, this time by the law firm of Pugh, Jones and Johnson. Bollant fired Divilbiss before the release of the investigation, citing that it was in the best interest of both parties to move on. The final report was released on July 31 and found no wrongdoing by anyone on the coaching staff. The report suggested that the University could clarify the conduct expected for its coaches. While the investigations might be over, the athletic department still faces controversy. Paul Kowalczyk was named the interim athletic director when Thomas was fired. Kowalczyk and the rest of University leadership received a mixed
reaction from the Illini fan base when they announced just prior to the season finale that Cubit would receive a two-year extension. Wilson announced the formation of an eight-person search committee on Dec. 4, which will make recommendations to Wilson. The Board of Trustees will have to approve whomever Wilson recommends, and that decision is likely to be made at the board’s meeting in January. The University also faces lawsuits from seven former women’s basketball players and a soccer lawsuit. Casey Conine filed a lawsuit in Champaign County in June claiming she was cleared to play in October 2014 after suffering a third concussion. Beckman has mentioned he is considering suing the University for wrongful termination. While change is taking place at the University, the next athletic director will have a lot on his or her plate once he or she takes the job.
dwojak2@dailyillini.com @mdwojak94
University copes with unprecedented fiscal year
Lack of budget, possible cuts affect students BY CHRISTIN WATKINS STAFF WRITER
University President Timothy Killeen asked the University community to “pretend we are looking into a future with a state higher education budget,” at a town hall meeting on Monday Nov. 16.
The continued lack of funding from the state for higher education has become a running joke among the administration, one method among many the University has tried to cope with this unprecedented fiscal year. From the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences asking each unit to cut five percent of their budget, to thousands of students at risk of losing their Monetary Award Program grants, 2015 has become the year for bud-
get cuts at the University of Illinois. “As they say, we’re cutting into muscle, the fat is gone,” said David Tewksbury, head professor of College of Communication. Students feel the effects of these cuts every day in the classroom and the continuation of these cuts will lead to larger class sizes and fewer resources for students. “Every cut hurts,” he said. “Life for the students in that department gets a little bit
worse every time.” Students went to the state capital in October, hoping to make legislators aware of the negative impact the state’s proposed 31.5 percent cut on higher education would have. The “Cuts Mean Us” campaign initiated by the Illinois Student Senate aimed to place pressure on state representatives to fund higher education. “College education provides people for the capacity and the ability to get a job
that is going to contribute to Illinois’ economy,” said Matt Hill, former ISS Vice President-External. “That’s something we really want to push — that this isn’t just sending kids to school, this is something that is really impacting the lives of people and impacting the quality of our state, improving the quality of our state.” Killeen agreed that the University is an asset to the state of Illinois and should be a funding priority. “We see the University as
a profit-center for the state, not as a cost-center,” Killeen said. He hopes the state will recognize the importance of higher education to the future and will show this through financial support. “I am optimistic that the impasse will get resolved in the January timeframe,” Killeen said. “The state of Illinois needs us to be worldclass, and we cannot go down a path to deterioration.”
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OPINIONS
LIFE & CULTURE
SPORTS
SPORTS
Looking back
Reversing the curse
Illini fight injuries
Football finishes 5-7
Reviewing big moments from the Fall 2015 semester.
From Wrigleyville to the Quad: There’s a new goat in town
John Groce and men’s basketball off to a rocky start
Shadow of Beckman hangs over season; Cubit begins as new head coach
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Wednesday, December 16, 2015
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UI settles with Salaita after 14 months BY ABIGALE SVOBODA NEWS EDITOR
The Board of Trustees authorized an $875,000 settlement with Steven Salaita, on Nov. 12, following 14 months of protests, legal motions and inter-University conflict. Salaita, the man who was at the center of many University conversations since August 2014 agreed to the settlement on the grounds he would never try to work at the University. A University press release sent Thursday stated the University and Salaita reached a settlement that “allows both parties to move forward while focusing on their respective priorities.” Salaita will receive the $600,000 as a lump sum and will not join the Urbana faculty. The remaining $275,000 will pay for Salaita’s attorney fees. Salaita’s federal and circuit court suits will be voluntarily dismissed. “Considerable time and energy have gone into this case and it is time now to move forward. This negotiated agreement will allow the Urbana campus to focus on our goals of excellence in teaching, research and public engagement,” Wilson said in the release. Wilson said the University had been trying to work with Salaita’s legal team since January when they entered the lawsuit. She said the time and money spent in trial would have been far greater than the agreed settlement. Former U.S. District Judge Wayne Andersen was invited to serve as a mediator in October, according to the release. A press release from Salaita’s legal team, Anand Swaminathan of Loevy & Loevy and Maria LaHood of the Center for Constitutional Rights, also detailed the settlement. The University release stated that the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by the University. Interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson stated the settlement is in everyone’s best interest.
However, Swaminathan’s statement argued differently. “Make no mistake: the size of this settlement is an implicit admission of the strength of Professor Salaita’s constitutional and contractual claims,” Swaminathan said. Swaminathan regarded the settlement as a “major victory” and said ti would not have been possible without the support of academics and activists. “This settlement is a vindication for me, but more importantly, it is a victory for academic freedom and the First Amendment,” Salaita said in the release. Salaita and the University have been engaged in a lawsuit since Jan. 29 when Salaita filed a federal suit in the Northern District of Illinois, alleging the University violated his right to academic freedom and caused intentional emotional distress. Salaita’s suit named former chancellor Phyllis Wise, former president Robert Easter, former Board of Trustees chairman Chris Kennedy, Vice President for Academic Affairs Christophe Pierre and unnamed donors. He is seeking the job for which he was originally hired and monetary compensation. Salaita was offered a position as a tenure professor in the American Indian Studies department for the 20142015 school year. On Aug. 1, 2014, in an email to Salaita, Wise stated she would not forward his appointment on to the board for approval, citing his recent tweets regarding the conflict in Gaza. Emails later released showed Wise was under pressure from donors and other University stakeholders to rescind Salaita’s offer. The decision sparked outrage on the University’s Urbana campus, nationally and even globally. However student protests, faculty letters and concern from the American Association of University Professors did not impact the board’s decision. On Sept. 11, 2014, the board
THE DAILY ILLINI
Junaid Rana (left), professor in Asian American Studies moderates while Steven Salaita (center) discusses his new book with American Indian Studies department head Robert Warrior (right) at Independent Media Center in Urbana Oct. 13. stood by Wise’s statement and voted not to approve Salaita’s appointment. Trustee James Montgomery was the only board member to vote differently. In the year following the decision, tension between the University and Salaita continued. In November 2014 Salaita filed suit against the University in Champaign County circuit court, claiming the University failed to comply with the Freedom of Information Act, FOIA. He requested documents regarding his employment on Sept. 17, 2014, 6 days after the board officially rejected his appointment. When the University labeled the request “unduly burdensome,” Salaita downsized the parameters and submitted a new FOIA request on Nov. 5, 2014. When he received no response, he decided to file suit on Nov. 17, 2014.
In December 2014 the Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure, a committee of the Academic Senate, released a report on its investigation into the handling of Salaita’s case. The committee ultimately suggested the board should reconsider its decision on Salaita’s appointment. Almost one month later, on Jan. 29, Salaita filed the federal suit that was settled Thursday. Hearings for the suit continued throughout the spring, when the American Association of University Professors visited the University as part of its investigation into the University’s handling of the case. The AAUP reported it found the University violated Salaita’s rights to free speech and academic freedom. The AAUP report gave the association cause to consider censuring the Universi-
ty at it’s annual conference. On June 13 the AAUP voted to censure the University, meaning it would no longer consider the University an institution that values academic freedom. The University will remain censured until the next annual conference in June 2016, at the earliest. On Aug. 27 Salaita filed a motion against the University for destroying evidence related to his case. The motion came on the heels of the release of over 1,100 pages of previously withheld emails regarding Salaita, James Kilgore and the Carle-Illinois College of Medicine. The release led to the resignations of former chancellor Phyllis Wise and provost Ilesanmi Adesida. Salaita is currently serving as the American Studies chair at the University of Beirut and published a book, Uncivil Rites: Pales-
tine and the Limits of Academic Freedom, in October. The book, published by Haymarket Books, features Salaita’s tumultuous relationship with the University. According to Haymarket’s website, Salaita “combines personal reflection and political critique to shed new light on his controversial termination. He situates his case at the intersection of important issues that affect both higher education and social justice activism.” Salaita is being represented by Anand Swaminathan of Loevy & Loevy and Maria LaHood of the Center for Constitutional Rights. Neither Swaminatha or LaHood could be reached for immediate contact.
asvobod2@dailyillini.com
‘White Student Union’ page spurs outrage BY MARIJO ENDERLE ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
RYAN FANG THE DAILY ILLINI
Students listen to “Love Notes” for African American students in the snow at the Anniversary Plaza on Dec 2.
The creation of an “Illini White Student Union” Facebook page — created on Nov. 18 — gained national attention and sparked responses and new initiatives from University administrators. The Facebook page denounced black students and Black Lives Matter supporters as terrorists after they had just participated in a Black Student Solidarity Rally on the Main Quad. The page directly singled out activists and sympathizers to the Black Lives Matter movement, describing itself as “a new page for white students of University of Illinois (sic) to be able to form a community and discuss our own issues as well as be able to organize against the terrorism we have been facing from Black Lives Matter activists on campus.” The page further encouraged students to send in photographs of students who attended the rally on the Main Quad to identify “anti-whites,” and said it was dedicated to exposing Black Lives Matter’s “hatred for white people and police officers.” Similar White Student Union Facebook pages were created at over 30 universities nationwide, including the University of Missouri, New York University and Pennsylvania State University. In the weeks since the group’s establishment, Black Lives Matter and black solidarity rallies have been held on the Quad to address the White Student Union and to share experiences with discrimination on campus. Additionally, Interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson outlined the steps that the University would take in light of recent events of
“racism and discrimination” on campus, including a mandatory diversity workshop for new students, diversity training for employees on hiring committees, increased undergraduate scholarship support and the allocation of $4.9 million for a new facility for the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center that will open in 2018. Wilson also announced the search for a new associate chancellor for diversity efforts and initiatives that will launch in January. In a separate Massmail sent the day after the page’s creation, Wilson said that the page was “extremely disturbing.” Wilson said the University
“We know that incidents like this create a sense of fear.” JEFF CHRISTNESEN
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF
asked Facebook to remove the page — it was taken down within three hours — due to copyright infringement and will continue to ask for the removal of any subsequent pages. “We recognize the right to free speech, and we encourage you to exercise that right when you see examples of racism, discrimination or intimidation on our campus,” Wilson said in the Massmail. Following Wilson’s Massmail, Jeff Christensen, University of Illinois Police Department chief, sent a Massmail stating the UIPD would continue to monitor the page and investigate any
credible threats. “We know that incidents like this create a sense of fear and shake your confidence in the safety of our campus,” Christensen said in the Massmail. The University released a statement condemning the creation of the page on the night of its creation. The University called the page’s posts “clearly . . . offensive to our university community.” “(University administrators) have notified Facebook of the page and asked for its removal, as it violates the company’s own standards,” said Renee Romano, vice chancellor of student affairs, according to the statement. “We also are reaching out directly to those responsible for the postings notifying them that the usage of our name is in violation of our trademark rights and ordering them to cease and desist.” It remains unclear whether the page was created by a student at the University. Robin Kaler, campus spokeswoman said the University in no way supports the page or the creator; however, if the creator of the page is a student, the University cannot take any action against them due to First Amendment rights. Nevertheless, the University denounced the content expressed on the Facebook page. “Posts and pages such as these stand in complete opposition to the values of mutual respect and community that define the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign,” Romano said. “While they may be protected exercises of free speech, they are offensive, divisive and stunningly narrowminded expressions.”
menderl2@dailyillini.com
Students at risk of losing support from MAP grants BY MARYCATE MOST ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Monetary award program, MAP, grant-eligible students received an alarming message on Nov. 10, when it was announced that the lack of a state budget may affect their scholarship funding. Interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson announced in an email that if the state did not allocate funding for the Monetary Award Program grant, or MAP, students may be required to repay the University for fall semester courses and would need to
find alternative funding for the spring semester. The University credited MAP grants to student accounts based on the assumption that the fiscal year 2016 budget would allot $373.25 million for the grants, the same amount budgeted in fiscal year 2015. But on June 25, Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a bill that would have allocated $397,073,100 to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to fund MAP grants. The state’s failure to pass a budget could impact the
130,000 students in the state of Illinois who use MAP grants to help pay their tuition — including the 5,667 MAP grant recipients enrolled at the University. “It’s a tremendous tragedy (for students),” said Mitch Dickey, student body president. Wilson stated in the email that she and fellow administrators believe it’s “highly unlikely” that the state will not fund the grants because Gov. Bruce Rauner previously indicated his support for MAP grant funding.
Weeks later, at a Dec. 7 Academic Senate meeting Wilson announced that the University will institutionally cover MAP funding for the time being. “We will continue aggressive efforts to ensure that MAP funding eventually comes from the state,” Wilson said. Many students have also joined in on the University’s efforts to keep MAP grant funding alive. The Illinois Student Senate launched a letter writing campaign — spearhead-
ed by Dickey — early in the semester. Student senators who participated wrote to the Illinois General Assembly in support of the grants. “Legislators have not been able to brush off that MAP and higher education funding,” he said. “The reason they can’t brush it off is because we’ve been putting a lot of pressure on.” University Chief Financial Officer Walter Knorr said in a Board of Trustees meeting on Nov. 12 that he does not expect to see a state budget until January.
Without these grants, students will have to drop out of the University or find another way to make ends meet, Dickey said. Raneem Shamseldin, a junior in ACES who receives a MAP grant, said she has a “back-up plan” if the funding falls through, but is still disappointed that she may have to repay the University. “What’s the point of getting help if we’re just going to have to give it all back?” she asked.
most2@dailyillini.com
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WEDNESDAY December 16, 2015 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com
OPINIONS QUICK
BY EMMA GOODWIN OPINIONS EDITOR
MATT SILICH
C O MM E N TA RY
ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR
DI DENIED RESIGNATIONS AND FIRINGS AND STEPPING-DOWNS, OH MY!
‘WHITE STUDENT UNION’ PAGE SURFACES Right before Thanksgiving break, a Facebook page surfaced following a black solidarity rally on the Quad. The Facebook page was titled “Illini White Student Union” and was subsequently removed from Facebook after administrators reported it — but a new page sprouted up titled “University of Illinois White Student Union” and is unable to be removed. It’s upsetting, disappointing and discouraging that these pages appeared here following positive racial movements, and it’s further saddening that these pages exist for other schools as well. We support racial equality at the University and believe firmly that any page such as this existing at any university only represents a vocal minority group. So when standing for racial justice, we just have to be louder.
University Chancellor Phyllis Wise resigned in August in large part because of the controversy surrounding personal emails regarding Steven Salaita’s lawsuit. University Provost Ilesanmi Adesida stepped down two weeks later to return to the College of Engineering. Four days later, head football coach Tim Beckman was fired by athletic director Mike Thomas for his part in the injury mistreatment of Illini football players. In November, Thomas was fired to help give the athletic department an almost completely fresh start. That it took nearly all of the available commentary space just to list the high-ranking resignations and firings within the University shows just how unstable our campus was this semester. But hey, at least we didn’t double down on that instability by extending our interim head football coach for just two years, leaving him completely in limbo with recruits seeking to make a four-year commitment! Right? Hello? Anyone?
KEVIN VONGNAPHONE THE DAILY ILLINI
RYAN FANG THE DAILY ILLINI
Students listen to “Love Notes” for African American students in the snow at the Anniversary Plaza on Dec 2.
Illinois football’s former head coach Tim Beckman talks with his players after the annual Orange and Blue football game at Memorial Stadium on April 13, 2014.
TO BE OR NOT TO BE?: THE STORY OF OUR STATE BUDGET
DETOUR IN MAP GRANT FUNDING
In case you haven’t read pretty much every editorial we’ve published this year and are thus unaware: Our state does not have a state budget and pretty much everything is terrible because of it. Our University and other crucial state programs have suffered because our legislators apparently never attended preschool where you learn the fundamentals of how to compromise. As the days tick on, our annoyance levels grow. Here’s hoping that when (if?) the budget does come in, our school doesn’t suffer too much — we all know we’ve financially suffered enough.
Earlier this semester, we were all graced with a lovely surprise announcement that students relying on MAP grant funding may have to repay the grants that they have been granted — granted meaning given...meaning they shouldn’t have to pay them back...ever...meaning this wasn’t supposed to happen...ever... If you haven’t sensed the sarcasm dripping off this page, imagine being stranded in the desert and given the present of enough water to survive, but after you’ve already consumed the water, you’re informed you have to give the water back. How do you create water in a desert? How does a college student with financial stress create money when money doesn’t exist? These are the questions, my friends, that our state representatives have yet to answer, but hey, it’s chill, right? (Spoiler: it’s not).
ALMA APPROVED AZZIP ZIPS IN, ORANGE LEAF BLOWS AWAY
A ‘FUN’ ROUND-UP OF CAMPUS CELEBRITY VISITS While nobody proposed to Shawn Johnson this year and Joe Biden and Jason Segel weren’t here to take surprise selfies with us, we have seen our fair share of celebs on campus this semester. Nate Ruess of the band fun., Nev Shulman of the show Catfish, comedian Bill Maher and journalist Bill Geist all made their ways down to this neck of the woods for some reason or another. While we’re sure they all enjoyed their short visits to campus, none of them seemed to have enjoyed it enough to accept the offers of employment for the chancellor or provost positions that were probably offered to them.
The high-cost nature of maintaining restaurant space in Campustown leads to a great deal of fluctuation in student food options. This semester, Azzip Pizza filled in the space vacated by Jersey Mike’s, which left last year (much to the dismay of a certain assistant opinions editor). Azzip has filled in the space admirably — it’s hard to take issue with more pizza, especially with all the deals they have. This semester, we also experienced the loss of Orange Leaf (quite suddenly, too, much to our confusion) and the addition of a Starbucks in the Union — Espresso Royale lovers beware.
ROCKIN’ AROUND THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE The Marching Illini rocked out at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time ever and, for all of you who didn’t watch it go down — four minutes early however… —, it was really note-able (get it? Because of music notes?). While they were professional and sounded brilliant, they were also one of the only acts that just seemed to be having a lot of fun, especially when they started dancing. Not only did they perform rousingly in the actual parade, but they showed off their musical stylings the night before in Times Square as well. Congrats, MI — we sure are thankful for you. TIFFANY ZHANG THE DAILY ILLINI
Helen Edna, sophomore in Business, cuts a freshly made pizza at Azzip Pizza on Sept. 29.
NEW STADIUM IS ABSO‘LOU’TELY AMAZING
SALAITA SOLUTIONS No matter what side of the Salaita argument you stand on, a settlement was finally reached this semester, marking the end of the scandal. While our school still has to deal with an embarrassing censure and the public shame that involves, we can all at least hold on to the glimmer of hope that we’re — for the most part — in the clear. Rather than more problems surfacing, now is the time to focus on solutions. Let’s just hope they’re solutions we can — largely — all agree with.
Between a massive renovation and the re-naming of the State Farm Center court after the legendary Lou Henson, the home of Illini Basketball made serious strides in both functionality and appearance this semester. It was refreshing to not see the old gray void with few fans in view of the camera during home basketball games, now replaced by hundreds of screaming college students as the basketball gods intended. If the team wasn’t undergoing one of the worst non-conference starts in program history, the future might actually be bright for Illini hoops.
DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO
Steven Salaita reached an $875,000 settlement with the University Nov. 12.
The state of the renovations at the State Farm Center on Aug. 19.
DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO
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5A
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Marching Illini perform in Macy’s parade BY DIXITA LIMBACHIA STAFF WRITER
The Marching Illini performed one of their biggest shows ever to TV screens watched by over 65 million people — except instead of a football field, this time their stage was New York City when they performed at the 89th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The band was one of 12 bands chosen out of 175 applications in May 2014, and the occasion marks the first time in University history that the band has performed in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Approximately 3.5 million people crowded along the street during the parade as the various floats and performances passed by. Their performance in front of the Macy’s store in Manhattan began with a rendition of “Blues for Santa” and they made their exit while performing the Illini fight song. Barry L. Houser, Band Director of the Marching
Student Senate VPs resign, will leave campus in Spring
Illini, described the mood of the band the morning of the the parade. “The atmosphere leading up to the parade was quite focused but full of energy as well,” said Houser. “The morning of the big day included a very early call time of 2 a.m., then 3 o’clock loading, (then at) 3:30 buses departed for a 4 a.m. report to Herald Square.” In preparation for the parade, Houser said the 375 band members trained through additional performances and emphasized mental preparation. The Marching Illini practiced the parade route on the Memorial Stadium football field. Amelia Mugavero, senior in Media and the Marching Illini’s feature twirler shared her excitement for the performance in an interview in November. “I’ve watched the parade since I was a little girl and it’s a dream come true to be a part of it and also to be a feature twirler for a college
with the first college band ever to be established in the nation, there are no words to describe the excitement and honor,” Mugavero said. Though this is the band’s first Thanksgiving march, the group is no stranger to big parades. In 2014, the Marching Illini traveled to Ireland to march in Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In the aftermath of the parade, Houser said that the band has held a strong bond “but this trip has certainly brought the entire group closer together.” Although the trip was centered around the parade, the band also had time to explore the city. While in New York, the band started their visit with a trip to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Battery Park. The Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Rockefeller Center and Empire State building were also on the group’s agenda.
limbach2@illinimedia. com
PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH RABIN
The Marching Illini perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov. 26 in New York City.
UI advances research
FLOWER YANG THE DAILY ILLINI
Illinois Student Senate vice-presidents Sarah Hochman and Matt Hill discuss what they have done during their time.
University sees renovations, additions to technology and research BY LILY MASHAYEK STAFF WRITER
BY SAMANTHA JONES TOAL STAFF WRITER
Sarah Hochman and Matt Hill resigned from their positions as Illinois Student Senate vice presidents internal and external, respectively, on Nov. 8. Their resignations were effective Dec. 9, the last day of the fall semester. The pair resigned after nearly one and a half years as vice presidents in a joint letter to student body president Mitch Dickey. In a previous interview with The Daily Illini, Hill said that the joint letter was simply convenience and not indicative of the cause of Hochman’s and his resignations. In the letter, they wrote they needed to step down due to “unforeseen circumstances and opportunities.” Hochman and Hill denied explaining the circumstances or opportunities, but both confirmed they will not be on campus for the spring semester. Dickey said the spring semester will be interesting without Hill and Hochman, but he is looking forward to working with a new executive core. Many of the core func-
tions of the student senate are well-established practices, Dickey said, and he is trying to find people qualified to carry those out. However, he does not anticipate any projects falling through because of the change in leadership. “I was a little bit surprised — although not to the greatest extent, we were really good friends,” Dickey said. “Sometimes unforeseen opportunities arise and I wish them the best.” Two weeks later, the student senate elected Laura Saldivar, senior in LAS and Jill Whitman, sophomore in LAS to replace Hill and Hochman. Hill and Hochman said they’re confident the transition will go smoothly because Saldivar and Whitman are already familiar with their new positions. The pair both said they’ve learned a lot during their time in the senate but it did not come without challenges. “We’ve both learned so much about how the University works, which has been cool but also challenging,” Hill said. “Whether you’re trying to buy poster board
or lead a huge campaign, there’s many different hurdles you have to overcome.” When asked about these opportunities, Hill said Hochman and he are still finalizing their plans for next semester. Whatever opportunities await them next semester, their dream jobs serve as a reflection of their work in the student senate. “I view myself as a connector,” said Hill. Hill said one of his passions as vice president was connecting students on campus to the student senate’s work and campaigns. Hochman spoke about her interest in policy — specifically those that could impact a vast majority of people. “The biggest thing for internal (vice president) is to help things run and anticipate needs,” Hochman said. “Before student senate, I knew what hard work was — but really being able to make a difference in others’ lives besides my own — I think that’s really prepared me for any future opportunity.”
jonesto2@dailyillini.com
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Several University faculty members received awards this year: professor of physics Mats Selen was awarded with the national Professor of the Year Award, six University faculty members were chosen as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the University received a $100,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to encourage women and minority start-ups.
Research Park partners with Capital One A Fortune 500 company now occupies 4,000 square feet of the University’s Research Park. Capital One opened a new digital lab — its first on a university campus — and began employing undergraduate students in October. The company hopes to create a hybrid model that will employ full-time and part-time students at the lab. The lab plans to hire more students in 2016, in
Grainger Renovations Grainger Library underwent a $680,000 renovation to create collaborative spaces for students and faculty. The library’s lower west and center wings were transformed into office spaces, collaboration tables and a visualization center. The goal of the renovation was that, starting January, students would be able to work on their designs and ideas at the library, and then move on to creating their projects at one of the labs on campus. The University aims for the library to serve as a place for students to brainstorm their ideas, and provide spaces and resources, such as a 3-D printer, to do so.
New Design Center Announcement The building of a new campus-wide Design Center was also announced earlier this year. The 59,300-square-foot Design Center will be located between Fourth and Sixth streets, next to the Krannert Art Museum. With spaces for “virtual and immersive learning”, the center will offer students a place to work on projects that might be harder to work on at some of the smaller labs on campus, or that simply do not have any space to work on
their projects at all. Since the center is not owned by one specific college, it will be open to all students to use — including students who are not an engineering or science major.
Network of Innovation Hubs Across Campus The University will lead one of four Big Data Regional Innovation Hubs, announced the National Science Foundation in early November. The hubs in the Northeast, South, Midwest and West aim to improve the storage, access and sharing of data. The University will lead the Midwestern Hub, which will include 12 total states. The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, the University of North Dakota, Iowa State University and Indiana University will be partners of the Midwestern Hub.
lmasha3@dailyillini.com
Since the (Design Center) is not owned by one specific college, it will be open for all students to use.
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD
Mon-Fri: 8-5:30 Sat: 8-5 Sun: Closed
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ACROSS 1 Gooey campout goody 6 Costumes 11 Test in advance of an advanced deg. 14 Enveloping glows 15 In advance of, quaintly 16 Onetime Mideast abbr. 17 Perfectly fit and well 19 Land south of Leb. 20 Canada ___ 21 B&O and Pennsylvania, in Monopoly 22 Prime oyster season 24 “___ Pyle, U.S.M.C.” 26 Sony competitor 27 First New York Times crossword editor, 1942-69 33 QB Brett 34 Quite a ways 35 Sellout show sign 36 He voiced Carl in “Up” 39 1970 John Wayne western 42 Land south of Bol. 43 1921 play that ends with the extinction of the human race 45 Chewy chocolate candy 46 Where you might see the word AMBULANCE (not
51 Outdoor gear chain 52 Like some pitchers 53 Bungled salon job 57 Long-snouted fish 58 ___ G BIV (color mnemonic) 61 Headed for the hills
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Puzzle by DaviD Steinberg
62 Old rush participants … or a three-part hint to what can be found in this puzzle’s grid or clues 65 “All bets ___ off” 66 Alban Berg’s “Wozzeck,” e.g. 67 Leave no trace of 68 D.C.-based news org. 69 Golf’s ___ Cup 70 Taste DOWN 1 Variety of chalcedony 2 Conservationist John 3 Bacchanalian bash 4 Bowl game shout 5 Female sex hormone 6 Funny, funny joke 7 Lesotho’s locale: Abbr. 8 Jet engine sound
9 Hat’s edge 10 Lady of la casa 11 One-minute-plus section of “Stairway to Heaven” 12 Impetuous 13 Bungles 18 “___ virumque cano” (“Aeneid” opening) 23 Big name in A.T.M.s 24 Canine warnings 25 Zebra at a Lions game, say 27 Lady of la casa 28 “Mogambo” co-star 29 It’s in the pits 30 Common date night: Abbr. 31 Ann ___, Mich. 32 Aussie bounders 33 Goose bumps cause 37 Verdi’s “___ tu”
38 Have misgivings about 40 Solar system models 41 Title for Tennyson 44 “Nature” essayist’s inits. 47 Weightlifting unit 48 Compete to get 49 Native Hungarian 50 Shah’s onetime domain 53 Kellogg’s All-___ 54 Powerful D.C. lobby 55 Viscous 56 Talking TV palomino 58 Cut and collect in the field 59 Guesstimate’s ending 60 W.W. I battle site 63 Otto minus cinque 64 Powerful D.C. lobby
The crossword solution is in the Classified section.
LIFE CULTURE
6A | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015 | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM
been there to see it all, as Marinis said the pair often spends game day Littleton the Goat is one busy outside the ballpark. animal. Littleton’s luck continued through He divides his time between the playoffs. When the Cubs were a farm in Door County, Wiscon- playing the Cardinals during the sin, where he grazes with his goat playoffs, Marinis and Littleton were brother Waller, and the University supporting the team outside Wrigcampus, where he takes walks on ley. At one game, he said the Cubs the Main Quad and even shows up were down by one, so he considered leaving in case anyone got mad, but to Joe’s Brewery. But perhaps Littleton’s most while there, the team scored all six important job is reversing the Chi- runs to win the game. cago Cubs’ Curse of the Billy Goat. Originally, Marinis said he went For those unfamiliar with the on Craigslist to buy a puppy, and curse, in 1945, Chicago-based Bil- when he searched the site, dwarf ly Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis pygmy goats fell under the same was asked to leave a World Series category. Marinis, who attended game at Wrigley Field because his Mizzou last year, bought Littleton pet goat’s smell was upsetting oth- and moved him into his fraternier fans. He was so angry that he ty house. It was not a surprising cursed the Cubs, saying, “Them decision for Marinis to buy a goat Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no because his family is close friends more,” meaning they would never with the family of the Billy Goat win another World Series at Wrig- curse-giver himself, Billy Sianis. ley Field. Marinis said his grandfather In light of the Chicago Cubs get- came to the U.S. from Greece and ting as far as the NLCS this past started working with Sianis at the season, many Chicagoans and Uni- Billy Goat Tavern, where he stayed versity students are attributing Lit- for half a lifetime. tleton the Goat with the team’s suc“My grandfather actually helped cesses. The Cubs have not won a make their slogan famous. The reaWorld Series since 1908. son it’s with an accent, ‘CheezborgSince Evan Marinis, sophomore er, Cheezborger’ is because of my in DGS, purchased Littleton last grandpa, because he couldn’t speak year, the team has experienced good English,” Marinis explained. rapid success, especially with new Marinis said Littleton’s popularmanager Joe Maddon and star ity immediately took off at Mizzou. pitcher Jake Arietta. And Littleton’s His social media accounts blew up (the goat’s Instagram has over 2,000 followers), and sorority girls came in droves to see him. But Marinis said things really took off when he brought Littleton to Wrigley Field for the first time and news crews from Sportscenter and CBS Chicago took interest, bringing the “reverse the curse” PHOTO COURTESY OF EVAN MARINIS hype. Littleton the goat grazes on the Quad in his Cubs jersey. Now, LittleBY ANNABETH CARLSON ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR
PHOTO COURTESY OF EVAN MARINIS
Littleton the goat grazes on the Quad in his Cubs jersey. ton even has his own website with merchandise like beer koozies and t-shirts with his face on them. Just like at Mizzou, Marinis said Littleton has already gained fame on campus. On Tuesday, he was featured on the Illinois Snap Story. “We were walking him and the bus literally stopped, and the driver asks us if it was a goat, and she made us stay right there when she was taking pictures. We (also) took him to the Quad and some teacher told us to wait right there, and she got all of her colleagues and everybody out to see him,” he said. Marinis said there are no challenges with taking care of a goat at college. They go on walks, and he tries to give him goat feed even though Littleton prefers to graze on any grass and leaves in sight. “He’s better than a dog. He doesn’t jump around, he’s really chill, like he wants to be near people at all times, and he wants to sit on your lap, and that’s it,” Marinis
said. “He just eats everything and does his own thing.” Marinis currently lives in a house near his fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha. He brings Littleton over to visit his fraternity brothers, like Danny Jordan, sophomore in DGS, and Tim Park, sophomore in LAS. Jordan said Littleton is very sociable and has his own personality. Park agreed, explaining that once you get over the initial shock factor that he is a goat, it’s like living with a dog. “Yesterday I was just doing my homework, sitting on the couch in our room and he was just sitting, curled up right next to me,” Park said. “He’s really well-mannered and doesn’t bark or anything like that. It’s actually really fun.” Park said he definitely believes Littleton will reverse the curse for the Cubs. He attributed Littleton’s influence to the character Stanley Yelnats in the book “Holes,”
because the only person that could break the curse in the book was someone who was related to the person that set the original curse. “The Cubs are really good, we have really good players obviously, a good new manager and everything, but at the same time, (Marinis) is really close family friends with the family that owned the ... original billy goat that cursed them so I think that this is just the last piece of the puzzle they needed,” Park said. Though the Cubs season ended during the NLCS, only time will tell if Littleton will truly reverse the curse. But if he does, Marinis predicts great things for the goat. “If they end up winning it all, Littleton could be potentially extremely famous and a face of the Cubs,” he said. “It’s crazy it all started with buying a pet goat to what it is today.”
aecarls2@dailyillini.com
Sniffing out the truth at KAM’S BY LILLIAN BARKLEY ASSISTANT COPY CHIEF
Anyone who has walked past KAM’S knows the smell. Even though University students line up for Country Night and Blue Guys every week, and various rumors of poor sanitation are common, no one is entirely sure where the smell originated. “You do have everyone contributing to the smell. People ice out drinks, people spill drinks, people break bottles and beer goes everywhere. You can only mop up so much, especially on a tile floor,” said Kamil Bajan, senior in LAS and manager at KAM’S. In the end, the smell really comes down to one thing. “It’s just time. This place hasn’t changed,” Bajan said. “KAM’S has been KAM’S for decades.” KAM’S advertises as an Illini tradition, and though its website says it’s been in business for 30 years, alumni accounts show it has been on Daniel Street for much longer. “We have people come in here from the ’70s and they
say, ‘Oh, nothing’s changed,’” Bajan said. “The funniest thing is when people on this campus say it, and it’s their fifth time here in two weeks.” He said that in the two years he’s been working, the smell hasn’t gotten better or worse, and if it did, the campus would hear about it. “Word of mouth obviously spreads like wildfire,” he said. Rapid communication is the reason for many of the rumors surrounding the smell. “People say, ‘KAM’S doesn’t mop their floors,’” Bajan said. “If we didn’t mop our floors, you wouldn’t be able to walk.” KAM’S has a thorough cleaning regime, despite popular opinion. After the bar closes, the doorman cleans all the cups, all surfaces are cleaned, the silvers behind the bars are cleaned, and someone comes in to mop at 4 or 5 a.m. Another proposed source of the smell is the bathrooms. “The toilets never work,” said Haris Khan, junior in Business. “The roll of toi-
let paper’s always in there; there’s always like two beer bottles in there.” Bajan said that even though people shatter bottles into the toilets, they are always cleaned by the end of the night, and the smell definitely isn’t coming from the bathroom more than anywhere else. “If you go in the basement, it’s like a whole other level,” Khan said. He described the smell as a something rotting, emanating waves of smell “the way dry ice releases fog.” Bajan said the smell was like a combination of sugary, carbonated beverages, stale beer and vomit. “A lot of people think people are puking in here every day. That’s not the case. I can only recall one time when I had to clean actual puke from the dance floor,” Bajan said. Even though people puke in the bathrooms, it’s cleaned up quickly, just like any other bar. Another KAM’S staple has been said to cause the smell: Blue Guys. But Bajan said the signature Blue Bam
doesn’t add to the smell more than any other sugary drink. “I think it’s much more engrained in the actual structure of the building,” he said. “If you really wanted to get rid of it, you would either have to start from scratch or invest a couple thousand dollars.” Alaine Stanner, senior in LAS, grew up in the area and knows KAM’S well. It was the only bar her friends would go to last year. “I hate the smell,” she said. “It’s more of a townie bar, so despite the smell of it, everyone still loves it.” Stanner described the smell as “a mix of stale alcohol, puke, pee and regrets.” She also has a class in the psychology building three times a week. “I walk on the other side to purposefully avoid KAM’S,” she said. “You still get an essence of it.” Bajan said the distance KAM’S can be smelled “depends on how windy it is.” Stanner works as a brand ambassador at KAM’S and said the smell gets better after being in the bar for a
DECLAN HARTY THE DAILY ILLINI
Students participating in “Block” at KAM’S the weekend of Homecoming. while. “Once you start drinking, you don’t really notice it,” she said. “I think that’s also why people get so drunk there.” Though the smell is never described as pleasant, it doesn’t stop people from crowding in. “KAM’S is the oldest bar on campus. When people think of Illini drinking they think of KAM’S first, and then they always add, ‘Oh, the smell.’” Khan said. “It’s almost a selling point like: KAM’S smells so bad, come and drink your worries away.” The smell, no matter how
bad, adds character, Stanner said. “Not everybody desires the experience to go to a college bar,” Bajan said. “You move on from this, and you end up paying $10 a Bud Light downtown.” He said that after getting used to it, the smell is endearing. “That’s what the magic of KAM’S is. It’s been this way, and it’s not changing, and it hasn’t changed, and it doesn’t seem like it will be changing,” he said. “Everyone knows, KAM’S smells like KAM’S.”
lbarkle2@dailyillini.com
1B
WEDNESDAY December 16, 2015 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com
SPORTS
Season defined by off-the-field moments BY CHARLOTTE CARROLL STAFF WRITER
The Illinois football team’s season started with a bang when head coach Tim Beckman was fired a week before the first game and replaced by offensive coordinator Bill Cubit. That firing set the tone for the rest of the season. On the field, Illinois looked like a better team than years past early in the season, but failed to maintain that look throughout the year. The Illini finished with a 5-7 overall record and a 2-6 mark in the Big Ten. The team’s two conference wins came against Nebraska and Purdue. Illinois notched its first win against Nebraska since 1924 in a last-minute drive that was capped off by a Geronimo Allison touchdown grab with just 10 seconds remaining. Illinois had a much larger margin of victory in the Purdue game, recording a 48-14 win over the Boilermakers during which the offense finished with 595 yards. But the three early season victories and two conference wins weren’t enough to get the Illini to a bowl. Like last season, Illinois’ bowl chances rested on the final game of the season against Northwestern, but in this year’s matchup at Soldier Field in Chicago, the Illini lost 24-14 against the Wildcats. The team struggled
Quarterback Wes Lunt looks for an open receiver during the game against Ohio State at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 14. throughout the season to maintain a presence. There were strong performances that showed a different Illini team, while other games made them look like the Illini of the past few seasons. Though quarterback Wes Lunt was healthy all season, the Illini offense struggled to perform cohesively at times. Lunt went 270-for-
481 with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions through the air. The offense’s most embattled unit was its receiving corps, which was plagued by injury and dropped passes. Receivers Mike Dudek and Justin Hardee were out the entire season with injuries. On the running front,
freshmen Dre Brown and Reggie Corbin were out for the season with injuries. Running back Josh Ferguson was sidelined for a month with a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 5 against Nebraska. The wide receivers had difficulties connecting with Lunt. Illinois tallied over 60 dropped passes on the sea-
son. Allison, who performed well early in the season, was quieted as defenses figured out how to defend him and forced Lunt to spread the ball out. The Illinois defensive line performed well despite questions of depth in the offseason. Instead it was the defensive secondary that struggled – Illinois was
THE DAILY ILLINI
often beaten on long passes down the field. The bright spot for the Illini secondary was senior safety Clayton Fejedelem who netted 140 tackles, good for tops in the conference. He was fifth in the nation in tackles per game.
cmcarro2@dailyillini.com @charlottecrrll
Women’s basketball rolling with changes BY MATT GERTSMEIER STAFF WRITER
Editor’s note: This story’s publication deadline was before the Illini played Central Michigan on Dec. 12.
AUSTIN YATTONI THE DAILY ILLINI
Illinois’ Malcolm Hill dribbles by his defender during the game against Western Carolina at the State Farm Center on Dec. 5.
Illinois men’s basketball plagued by series of unfortunate events BY JOEY FIGUEROA STAFF WRITER
Editor’s note: This story’s publication deadline was before the Illini played Yale on Dec. 9 and UIC on Dec. 12. To describe the Illinois men’s basketball 2015-16 season as tumultuous thus far might be an understatement. Perhaps, disastrous, calamitous or just downright unfortunate would do it better. No matter how you describe it, however, things have been less than ideal for head coach John Groce in the early goings of the season. There are months of schedule left, though, and still plenty of room for this young team to improve, especially since it seems it has nowhere to go but up. The downhill narrative began with the news that senior guard Tracy Abrams would miss yet another full season due to a torn Achilles he sustained in July. Just a month later, reports surfaced that up-and-coming forward Darius Paul had been arrested during Illinois’ trip to Europe and was dismissed from the team shortly after. It was messy for the Illini months before the season even began — then the injuries really started to pile on. Four-star recruit Jalen ColemanLands suffered a stress fracture that caused him to miss all basketball activities up until the start of the season. Sophomore forward Leron
Black tore his meniscus right around media day. And shortly after, junior captain Kendrick Nunn underwent thumb surgery for an injury he sustained in practice. The preseason outlook was bleak for Illinois, but junior captain Malcolm Hill emerged as the voice and driving force of the team early on. “Next man up,” Hill said. “If we hang our heads, that’s when we’re defeated. It’s a challenge we have to face, and I’m just glad it’s before the season.” With a depleted roster, Illinois suffered a season-opener loss for the first time in 16 years. The 93-81 defeat to North Florida put the first blemish on Groce’s November record since joining Illinois and began a stretch of mediocre play at the Illini’s temporary home in Springfield while renovations were completed at State Farm Center. Early on, Hill and graduate transfer Mike Thorne, Jr. dominated the touches for Illinois. Groce called Hill the team’s “butcher, baker and candle stick maker” because of his stat-sheet stuffing start on both ends of the floor. Thorne Jr. also impressed early on with averages of 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds through seven games. Good things don’t seem to last very long for Illini fans lately, though, and Thorne Jr. went down with a torn meniscus that could have him out for the remainder of the season.
It was a blow that came just as reinforcements were arriving — Nunn and Black both suited up for Illinois’ return to State Farm Center on Dec. 2. With the team’s more experienced players either playing ineffectively or not fit to play, the younger players are beginning to trend up. Freshman forward Michael Finke could put the pain of Thorne’s injury quickly in the rear view — he’s second on the team in field goal percentage and exploded for a career-best 24 points in a win over Western Carolina. Coleman-Lands has recovered well from his injury, leads Illinois in threepoint percentage and has a game-winning shot over Chicago State under his belt. Groce has praised the recent work of freshmen Aaron Jordan and D.J. Williams, who each bring defensive toughness and versatility. A 4-5 start to the non-conference schedule is not what any team wants. However, besides the North Florida blunder, Illinois has yet to lose a game by more than five points and even held its own against No. 4 Iowa State at the Emerald Coast Classic. This could be a defining year for Groce as he tries to somehow drag the Illini to their first NCAA tournament since 2013 — the development of the exciting youngsters may rightfully take top priority this season.
jfiguer2@dailyillini.com @joeyfigueroa3
The Illinois women’s basketball team has had to deal with change. A lot of change. Seven former players sued the University of Illinois, former athletic director Mike Thomas, head coach Matt Bollant and former assistant coach Mike Divilbiss. The chaotic summer resulted in some players transferring, Divilbiss resigning, Mike Thomas getting fired – he also was involved with issues surrounding the football and soccer teams – and Bollant facing plenty of criticism. But change can also be a good thing. With 11 players on the roster this season because of the summer transfers, Illinois has looked to new players to step up. Two of the six leading scorers from last year are not on this year’s roster. As a result, sophomore Chatrice White and senior Kyley Simmons have increased their production. White is averaging about three more points than she did last year; Simmons is averaging about four more points. Senior Sarah Hartwell has had a major influence. Last year, Hartwell played a total of 43 minutes in 14 games and scored 10 points. This year, Hartwell has started all seven games, averaging just under 30 minutes and 7.9 points per game. “(There have been) a lot of ups and downs, but I think overall I’ve grown every year,” Hartwell said. “This
year I am enjoying the process more and not worrying about the end result or worrying about every little detail. For me, I’m enjoying my last year to the fullest and not thinking about the future or thinking about the past.” Illinois’ team veterans have not been the only players who’ve made an impact. The Illini have three freshmen on their roster. Jaelyne Kirkpatrick has averaged 12.6 minutes per game in her role as backup guard. Alex Wittinger is averaging 7.8 points and six rebounds per game. Guard Cierra Rice has started all six games and has been named Big Ten CoFreshman of the Week twice. Bollant said the freshmen class has been performing as he anticipated. “It’s great for (Cierra) to be named Freshman of the Week,” Bollant said. “Her body control when she drives it – it won’t look like much there and then all of a sudden she is finishing a layup where it didn’t look like there was a whole lot there. Certainly, her efficiency has been good, but I think all three freshmen have been kind of what we hoped for.” And there are more changes to come. Seniors Eriel Davis and Simone Law have been recovering from injury. Both players’ timetables for return is unknown, but there is a possibility they could come back near Big Ten conference play. Their returns to the team could help Illinois improve upon its conference record from a season ago when it finished 6-12 in conference play and 10th in the Big Ten.
gertsme2@dailyillini. com
AUSTIN YATTONI THE DAILY ILLINI
Illinois’ Chatrice White drives to the basket during the game against Southern Illinois at the State Farm Center on Dec. 8.
2B
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM
Soccer falls short at Big Ten tournament BY DANIEL COLLINS
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
THE DAILY ILLINI
Jannelle Flaws takes a shot in the game against Rutgers at Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium on Sept. 24.
Despite having one of the most lethal scoring options in collegiate women’s soccer, the Illini failed to execute in crucial times during this season. Illinois’ 2015 campaign started off on the right foot, but the team ultimately fell short of its goals and was eliminated in the first round of the Big Ten tournament by virtue of a 3–1 defeat to eventual national champion Penn State. Star moment Star forward Jannelle Flaws came into the season needing five goals to set her name atop the program’s all-time scoring list. She achieved that mark in hattrick fashion when she netted all of Illinois’ goals in its 3-1 victory against St. Louis in the fourth game of the season. “I love the records, but love this team even more,” Flaws told the Illini Drive after her historic achievement. Flaws, who noticeably started to struggle with plantar fasciitis, would go through a dry spell immediately after, scoring only six more goals for the duration of the year – two of which came in the last game of the season against Minnesota and helped punch
the Illini’s ticket into the Big Ten tournament. Injuries strike key contributors Flaws wasn’t the only Illini bitten by the injury bug. Senior Reagan Robishaw tore her ACL six games into the season – Illinois was 5-1-0 at that point. The midfielder had two goals and two assists before her injury. “You don’t just pull out a piece and put someone else in that piece because they’re just not the same, they don’t have the same attributes and qualities,” said head coach Janet Rayfield when she first addressed Robishaw’s injury. Freshman midfielder Katie Murray saw increased minutes after Robishaw went down, playing in the remainder of Illinois’ games. If there’s one thing that Rayfield stressed a lot this season, it was that her team lacked on quality shots. Her midfield had spurts of creativity and didn’t have a shortage of shots, but many times those shots were off target. Looking forward Despite Flaws not being in her best form this season, filling her void is going to be Rayfield’s toughest task. Forward/midfield hybrid Nicole Breece also partici-
pated in her last Illini soccer campaign, making that two key players up front that the coaching staff needs to focus on replacing. All signs point toward sophomore Kara Marbury and freshman Patricia George to be in the wave of full-time forward options. Marbury played in 17 games, starting in 16. She scored two goals in Illinois’ 3-1 win over Nebraska – the first multi-goal game of her career. She collected seven goals and two assists for the squad. George played in 18, starting in one against Michigan – a 3-1 defeat. Sophomore Katherine Ratz played in 16 games for Illinois, tallying one goal on her stat sheet. Rayfield will return many of the key players in her defense. Hope D’Addario, arguably Illinois’ most solid defender, will be one of the main anchors of that backline and goalkeeper Claire Wheatley will be back for her senior season. If Robishaw elects to redshirt, she’ll provide a muchneeded spark on the flanks for the Illini, allowing them to stretch the field a little more.
dcollns2@dailyillini.com @TweetDanCollins
Hockey plays inconsistent BY ETHAN SWANSON STAFF WRITER
Editor’s note: This story’s publication was before Illinois played Western Michigan on Dec. 11-12. The first half of the Illinois hockey season has not been a failure by any measure, but there is a sense of disappointment among the players and coaches in the Illini’s 11-6-3 start. The Illini began the season ranked No. 12 in the ACHA preseason poll and looked to make a deep playoff run after returning the majority of their starters, including 2014-15 Illinois point-leader John Olen. With the team plagued by inconsistent play, fans are scratching their heads as they witness Illinois being dominant one weekend, then lay an egg the next. “Consistency is something we’ve addressed often,” head coach Nick Fabbrini said. “We’re still a relatively young team, so guys are still learning what it takes to win night in and night out in this league.” In the span of a month, the Illini were able to record two ACHA top-five wins against Ohio University and Iowa State. But in each of those series, the Illini lost a game in a shootout. In the same timeframe, however, Illinois suffered a 7-1 loss to a below .500 Illinois State team ranked at the bottom of the ACHA. Illinois holds a 4-6 conference record, which puts it in second-to-last in a tight CSCHL race in which only four points separate first and last place. Part of the Illini’s struggles this season have been due to injuries to key players. Illinois is just now getting fully healthy – forced to play with a depleted defensive zone with early injuries to veteran defensemen Aaron Dusek and Joey Caprio, while taking a hit on the scoring end with injuries to forwards Mike Fischer and the senior captain Olen.
“Getting healthy and staying healthy has by far been our biggest problem,” Fabbrini said. “We can’t scale things down in practice because we’re already half way through the year, but we also want to get guys back as soon as possible.” In the midst of all the Illini’s health issues, a few Illinois skaters have stepped up into leadership roles and are putting together the best season of their careers. The sophomore duo of James Mcging and Eric Cruickshank have emerged to carry the bulk of the offensive load, producing 51 points combined. Mcging has proven to be the quarterback of Illinois’ first line, dishing out 19 assists and tacking on 6 goals, while Cruickshank has come into his own as the Illini’s go-to scorer, netting 16 goals in 19 games. While his brother John Olen was out, goalie Joe Olen kept the family name in the mind of Illini fans. Responsible for seven of the Illini’s 11 wins, Olen has been solid between the pipes all year: racking up 442 saves and holding a .940 save percentage that ranks third in the ACHA. “I’ve been really proud of how those guys have stepped up,” John said. “Now it just gives us more depth and experience at every position.” With John in his third week back from a broken ankle, the Illini roster now seems to be at full strength for nearly the first time all season. Coupled with the emergence of the team’s new superstars, the players and coaches believe Illinois is now equipped to make the second-half push it needs to get back in the CSCHL title race and the national ACHA tournament conversation. “We won’t make a ‘run’ because that implies getting lucky,” said Austin Zima defenseman. “We’ll succeed because we choose to.”
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James Mcging carries the puck up the ice during the game against Iowa State at the Ice Arena on Nov. 14.
Men’s tennis prepares for strong spring season after fall season improvements BY LUCAS WRIGHT STAFF WRITER
The fall season was a learning experience for the Illinois men’s tennis team. The team established early on in the fall season that it would be without seniors Jared Hiltzik and Brian Page and sophomore Aleks Vukic. The trio decided to compete on the professional level this fall. With the threesome out of the lineup, the fall season was a chance for players like sophomore Aron Hiltzik and redshirt junior Julian Childers to step into the limelight.
Aron came into the season as the No. 46 player in the nation and showed he was worthy early on. Despite a rough outing at the Conference Challenge in September, Aron qualified for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Americans in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Oct. 8. An unseeded Hiltzik took down Amerigo Contini of Virginia Tech in the opening round, to set up a meeting with No. 2 seed Nicolas Alvarez in round two. Hiltzik put together his biggest win of the fall, winning in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5, over the No. 7
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player in the country. Even though this was Aron’s biggest win of the fall, he said that it still wasn’t the most important event for him during the season. “For me, the biggest things have happened behind the scenes for me,” Hiltzik said. “I’ve been working on a few developmental things. I’ve worked on my forehand a lot, and in the future I think it will cause a lot more damage to my opponents.” Aron also managed to make a run at the Midwest Regional from Oct. 22-26. He strung together three wins
before falling to the hot hand of Northwestern’s Strong Kirchheimer. The loss left Hiltzik short of qualifying for National Indoors. Childers burst on to the scene for the Illini with a few strong performances. The redshirt junior claimed the Crusader Invitational title at Valparaiso, Indiana, from Oct. 3-12, blowing out Toledo’s Luka Vitosevic 6-2, 6-0 in the championship. Along with claiming a title, Childers managed two wins in the Midwest Regional and defeated three Harvard players at the Conference
Challenge. The final Illini competing on the year was senior Jared Hiltzik, who returned from his professional play to compete at the National Indoors from Nov. 12-15 in Flushing, New York. This year marked Hiltzik’s third appearance in the national tournament — he made a run to the championship match as a sophomore. Garnering the No. 8 seed, Hiltzik dispatched his first two opponents, going to three sets in each match. Yet, Hiltzik was defeated in the quarterfinals by No. 3 seed Dominik Koepfer of Tulane,
the eventual champion. The Illini are looking forward to yet another strong spring season, and head coach Brad Dancer said the younger members of the Illini will play a huge part in their success. “We’ve got guys who haven’t gotten as much of an opportunity to play who will see a lot of time this year,” Dancer said. “I think there is some guys who are chomping at the bit to contribute and help us compete for a Big Ten title.”
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Wednesday, December 16, 2015
3B
Golf poised to bring back national title CHRIS KENNEDY STAFF WRITER
The Illinois men’s golf team began the fall as the No. 1 team in the country. After a dominant first half of the season, the Illini are poised to bring that ranking into the spring and toward another run at the national title. The Illini sport a deep, experienced lineup. Four of the five starters from last year’s team returned this season, and they’ve all had big moments this Fall. Last year’s season ended in the Final Four. But Illinois finished the Fall season with another shot at its Final Four opponents. The last tournament of the Fall season for the Illini was the East Lake Cup – a new
event that brings together the previous season’s NCAA semifinalists. The tournament pinned the Illini against USC — the team that sent them packing at last year’s NCAA Championship tournament. This time, Illinois jumped out to several narrow leads before play was suspended. When it resumed, Illinois finished held off USC and advanced to the championship with a 4-1 victory. The team went up 2-1 after victories from seniors Thomas Detry and Charlie Danielson. It all came down to the one Illini — senior Alex Burge. He fought his way back from being down two on the 13th hole to force a sudden-death 19th hole. His victory clinched
the tournament for Illinois, capping an eventful Fall and building on momentum for a promising spring. The East Lake Cup was representative of the
was when they played without senior Charlie Danielson at the Fighting Illini Invite. Since his return, the team notched two tournament victories.
After a dominant first half of the season, the Illini are poised to bring that ranking . . . toward another run at the national title. team’s best efforts this fall. Illinois won four of its five tournaments this fall season, including several competitions against elite competition. The only time the Illini left without a victory
November’s Tavistock Collegiate Invitational – which markets itself as “the top tournament in college golf” – provided the stage for a grind-it-out Illini team victory. Five teams
were in the mix after Day 1 of the tournament, but no team could match the Illini’s steady improvement over three days. The team climbed the leader board as others faltered on the difficult course. Sophomore Nick Hardy and Danielson played their best rounds on the final day to secure an Illini win. The other elite tournament for the Illini this fall was their own Fighting Illini Invite. Without Danielson, Illinois took fourth in a field that featured six ranked teams, including No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 in the country. In the first round, Thomas Detry played a record-setting first round to tie Rickie Fowler’s 2007 course and tournament
record of 7-under. Illinois also dominated the competition at two smaller tournaments this fall. The team kicked off the season at the site of the 2017 NCAA Championships in the Northern Intercollegiate in Sugar Grove, Illinois. All five starters finished in the top15 and the Illini set a new team course record with a total 15-under in the second round. In Danielson’s first tournament after the Fighting Illini Invite, the two-time All-American took home the individual title and led the Illini to a team victory at Indiana’s Crooked Stick Invitational
cmkenne2@dailyillini.com @ChrisKennedy_4
JOVANIE DE LA CRUZ THE DAILY ILLINI
Alyssa Schneider crossing the finish line in First Place at the Illini Challenge 2015 at the Arboretum on September 4.
Schneider’s success sets bar for next season BY MIKE GASICK STAFF WRITER
The 2015 Illinois women’s cross-country team improved on many of its individual and overall performances from the 2014 season, paced by senior Alyssa Schneider, who had a career year. The Illini opened their season by competing in the Illini Challenge, where the team finished first out of three teams. Schneider led the way for the the team, completing the 5K race in 17 minutes and 43 seconds. The team then traveled to Normal, Illinois, to com-
pete in the ISU Invitational. Schneider again led the way for the Illini, followed by redshirt senior Britten Petrey and sophomore Audrey Blazek to round off the team’s top three. The team finished third out of nine teams behind Loyola and Illinois State. After a week off, the Illini returned to competition at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis. The Illini finished ninth, improving nine spots from 2014’s campaign. Schneider again led the way, claiming a fourth-place finish in a field of 243 runners.
After three weeks off, the Illini returned to action in Louisville, Kentucky, where the Pre-Nationals race took place. Schneider was held out of this race due to a lingering toe injury. Head coach Scott Jones also wanted to keep Schneider as healthy as possible for more important races later in the season. The team finished in 43rd place out of 45 teams in what Jones called a “disappointing” race. The Louisville course would also be home to the NCAA Championships race.
The team bounced back at its next race, the Illini Open, at the University of Illinois Arboretum. Schneider was again held out for the race. Petrey broke 18 minutes for the 5K race and won the individual title. The Illini finished third out of eight teams. The highly-anticipated Big Ten Championships were next on the schedule for the team. The Illini came in eighth place as a team and Schneider, fresh off her extended rest time, earned herself a third-place finish at the meet and used the
high finish as momentum heading into the next race. That next race was the NCAA Regionals, where the team hoped to get at least one of its runners to race in the NCAA Championships. Schneider posted a 20:12, good for second overall and a bid to the national race. She qualified for the NCAA Championships two years ago and made her return this season. Junior Valerie Bobart also had her best race of the season, finishing second on the team with a mark of 21:33. The team’s season was
capped off by the best performance of Schneider’s career at the NCAA Championships. She completed the 6K race in 20:09, good for 17th place out of the 254 participants. Illinois will return 14 of its 20 athletes from this year’s team. Sophomores Blazek and Denise Branch and juniors Megan Lemersal, Kim Seger, Hanna Winter and Bobart all competed in multiple races. They will look to carry the team to a successful 2016.
gasick2@dailyillini.com @mike_mgasick
Men’s cross country finishes successful season BY WILL MOST STAFF WRITER
After a few years of struggling to make a name for itself in not only the NCAA but the Big Ten, the Illinois men’s cross-country team had a breakthrough season that ended second place at the Big Ten Championships in November. After a couple smaller events to kick off the year, the Illini started gaining momentum at the Bluegrass
“We accomplished a lot of things that haven’t been done in this program in a very long time, and you can’t take that away.” JAKE STEWART HEAD COACH
Invite hosted by Kentucky. Big performances came from many new faces, including Michigan Tech University transfer Sean Pengelly and redshirt freshmen Zack Smith and Billy Magnesen. Pengelly once again led the Illini in the Spartan Invite, and it seemed that he would continue to be the lead man for the Illini. However, he failed to deliver any performances that would rival his first two. At the Spartan Invite, it was apparent that freshman Jesse Reiser was going to play a key role for Illinois. It was Reiser’s performances late in the season, such as his 11th place finish at the Big Ten Championships, that led to the Illini’s strong finish. His efforts were recognized when he was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. “If we are looking on the totality of this fall, we can look back on it very positively,” head coach Jake Stewart said. “We accomplished a lot of things that haven’t been done in this program in a very long time, and you can’t take that away.” Another key cog in Illinois’ success was Dylan Lafond. After an extended
The men taking off at the Illini Challenge 2015 at the Arboretum on Sept. 4. absence, the redshirt freshman placed sixth in the Greater Louisville Classic and led the way for the Illini to impress in all of their major meets for the rest of the season. Lafond’s best contribution came from his third-place finish at the Big Ten Championships.
But while Lafond performed well at the NCAA Regional Championships, the Illini didn’t keep up the pace they had set at the Big Ten Championships. The team ended up finishing eighth in a field of 26, which meant no National Championship appearance
JOVANIE DE LA CRUZ THE DAILY ILLINI
for the Big Ten runner-up. “I think we were all disappointed,” Stewart said. “I wanted so badly for them to run the way they wanted to run and have the result that we all hoped to have. It wasn’t a lack of effort on their part, sometimes as a program, you’re just not
ready to make that next step.” The Illini did have some individual representatives at the National Championships with Lafond taking 29th and earning All-American honors.
wmost2@dailyillini.com
4B
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM
Swimming, diving end season with splash ly excited about the upcoming season and feels that this schedule will really test our team,” Novitsky said. “We can’t wait to pick up where we left off last year in terms of making so many revisions to the record book.” One of Novitsky’s key building blocks has been sophomore Samantha Stratford. Stratford has been dominant this season, setting several pool and school records. Stratford went on a torrid streak early in the season, winning 10 straight individual events. She followed up by being the Illini’s most consistent and reliable performer. “I just keep practicing really hard, focusing on small details during practice, and taking it one race at a time,” Stratford said. “We all work really hard, and we all push each other during practice. It’s not one person setting the example, it’s everyone feeding off of each other.” The season has also brought with it a new batch of freshmen and their fi rst taste of collegiate competition. The swimming and diving roster consists of seven freshmen, each
BY DRAKE PENA STAFF WRITER
Expectations were tempered for the Illinois swimming and diving team this season after losing arguably the best swimmer in the school’s history, Alison Meng. Head coach Sue Novitsky acknowledged the fact that it would take time and that replacing Meng would take a true team effort from her current seniors and underclassman. “You don’t just replace Alison Meng right away,” Novitsky said. “It’s a process along with the other ones as well. We lost a lot of leadership and point potential with a lot of our graduating seniors, and so it’s going to be a process to see who’s going to step up and challenge themselves. We’ll be adjusting as we go through it.” However, the Illini made no excuses to begin their season, and are off to a 7-2 start, their best start in the last five years. Novitsky chose a schedule that would challenge her team, and she is proud of the progress they have made this season. “Our coaching staff is real-
eager to show that they belong and are capable of handling Big Ten competition. Freshman Madeline Kuhn, fresh off of her fi rst collegiate diving fi nal and eighth place fi nish at the Hawkeye invitational, loves being an athlete and the pressure that comes along with it. “It’s really nerve-racking but also really exciting,” Kuhn said. “It is so much work, but it’s so worth it already. Being able to say you’re a Division I athlete is just so cool.” The team will be all over the country for its fi nal month of the season, traveling from Georgia and Arkansas all the way to California. The Illini have been road warriors this season, having only one of their meets at their home pool this season. With the emergence of Stratford and versatile freshman adapting to their new roles, the swimming and diving team is poised for a strong fi nish to their already stellar season. A shot at the Big Ten crown is looking more and more like a possibility.
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FILE PHOTO THE DAILY ILLINI
Sam Stratford, sophomore, swims the 200 yard butterfly at the Fighting Illini Dual Meet Spectacular in the ARC Pool on Oct. 16.
Wheelchair basketball looks to build on successful past Teams set their sights on national championship BY THOMAS POLCYN STAFF WRITER
THE DAILY ILLINI
Nik Goncin goes for a shot during the game against Missouri on Feb. 13.
It was not all that long ago the women’s wheelchair basketball team fell just short of a national title, finishing second to Alabama in the 2015 national championship game. Relying on experience and strong team leadership, the Illini have made it their goal to win it all this year. “So far we’re feeling good about our season,” said assistant coach Kate Rougeau. “We are winning the games we should, and with our experience we know we don’t need to peak until March. We are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last season and it helps so much to have mostly the same team coming back.” To date the women have played in three tournaments, and will have four more after winter break. The team has a .500 record of 5-5 but have already played some of the top teams in the country. Two wins came against a familiar opponent — the Crimson Tide. Captain Gail Gaeng has been
the big story to this point, mainly due to her offensive play. She leads the team in points, rebounds and assists. The senior forward is shooting 45 percent – just one percent shy of reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry’s career rate. The men’s team is 4-5 but has been playing well as of late. The men’s team weathered the absence of their head coach, Matt
“We are winning the games we should, and with our experience we know we don’t need to peak until March.” KATE ROUGEAU ASSISTANT COACH
Buchi, who was out for several weeks at the beginning of the season after having kidney surgery. Rougeau filled in for Buchi during his absence and replaced the team’s head coach when he traveled to Japan with the US men’s
senior national team. Now, with their head coach back and despite their poor start to the season, the Illini have a lot of confidence. “We are better than a lot of the other teams out there,” said men’s captain Mak Nong. “We are going to do whatever it takes to win that national championship. With the talent on our team, that has always been the goal.” Like the women’s team, the men will also have four more tournaments to prepare for nationals. Both teams will travel to Wichita, Auburn and Alabama and will have the opportunity to host one home tournament. Offensive output has been much more distributed for the men so far. Derek Hoot, who recently came back from playing with Buchi and the US national team, leads the Illini in scoring. Spencer Heslop and Ryan Neiswender are right behind Hoot, and have contributed in other areas. Neiswender leads the team with assists, and Heslop leads in rebounds. The Illini are satisfied with what they have done to this point, but know they will need to continue their work if they want to win the national title.
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Clean 2 bd 1 bath condo quiet neighborhood Willow Springs Downstairs end unit garage with opener, hardwood, new carpet, fans, appliances, covered patio, central a/c, water, yard maintenance, snow removal and use of POOL included. Pets an additional $20/mo, rent & deposit each $725 available immediately, contact 217-892-9134
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It’s Been A Long Week...
gmail.com
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217-398-1998.
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217.239.2310 • BURNHAM310.COM • 310 East Springfield Ave. • Champaign, IL 61820
217-398-1998.
For Rent
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STUDIO | 1 BEDROOM | 2 BEDROOM
• INDOOR/OUTDOOR PARKING • PRIVATE BATHROOMS 3PET FRIENDLY 2 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS AVAILABLE ON-SITE GYM • THEATER ROOM • UTILITIES INCLUDED
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PET FRIENDLY | INDOOR/OUTDOOR PARKING | PRIVATE BATHROOMS STUDIO, 1 BEDROOM, 2 BEDROOM & 3 BEDROOM ON-SITE GYM | THEATER ROOOM | UTILITIES INCLUDED APARTMENTS AVAILABLE
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Two to Five Bedroom apartments and townhouses on campus Washer & Dryer & Fiberoptic Internet Included http://www.gillespieapts.com Gillespie Properties 217-384-9444
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APARTMENTS
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11. Jun 2008
Part A
SKILL:
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Furnished/Unfurnished
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FOR FALL 2016 now leasing
Collin and Bob sit at the helm of Royse & Brinkmeyer, and bring with them 35 years of collective experience. They work tirelessly to insure that the foundation of our company, built through hard work and experience, remains strong. Through their persistent efforts, Royse and Brinkmeyer has remained a leader in apartment rentals, providing exemplary homes, and unmatched customer service!
WWW.ROYSEBRINKMEYER.COM
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rentals
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Office: 211 W. SPRINGFIELD AVE., CHAMPAIGN, IL
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EOE - M/V/F/D.
420 APARTMENTS
GEAR UP
A great reputation is built with hard work and experience.
Hospital Discharge Driver Arrow Ambulance
APARTMENTS
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Part time
FOR RENT
410 APARTMENTS
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For Rent 12’x25’ garage/storage unit with opener in Willow Springs, rent $85, contact 217-892-9134
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