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The Vaulter of Champions
In 1947, Illinois' Bob Richards shared the Big Ten pole vault championship with two other participants after clearing a height of 13'08.00". The following year he earned the bronze medal at the 1948 Olympic Games in London, only to answer with gold medals in the next two Olympics at Helsinki in 1952 and Melbourne in 1956. But what is perhaps most remarkable about Richards is the fact that he was able to do something that no other athlete in any sport can stake claim to. In 1958, he became the first athlete to appear on a box of Wheaties. Full story... |
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Serving to Win
Often times as fans, we want the ball in the hands of our team's star when the game is on the line. In football, when the team is trailing with two minutes remaining, you are eager to watch your quarterback march the team down the field. In basketball, with seconds left and down by two, you can't wait to see how your clutch shooter gets open on the perimeter for the game-winner. In tennis, when it's tied 5-5 in the third set, Illinois' Kristina Minor responds in the same fashion. She wants the ball. Full story... |
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No Clear Path
Illinois men's tennis coach Brad Dancer admits that for many elite junior tennis players, competing in college can be tough to adapt to. Often times some of the elite recruits will come from backgrounds where as Dancer says, "they have been catered to and have had lots of one-on-one attention." In the case of Ryan Rowe, a talented product out of Iowa-Florida-Illinois residency, Dancer knew he had to give Rowe a little extra attention prior to his arrival in Champaign. Full story... |
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If The 'Shoes' Fit
Illinois men's head track and field coach Wayne Angel says his coaching philosophy is simple. He first looks for the best talent within the state of Illinois and then he expands nationally. It is only then that if he doesn't find what he is looking for, he will recruit internationally. That was the case with junior Gakologelwang Lesiba Masheto. Full story... |
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When Duty Calls
It was March 1, 1943, and the Illinois men's basketball team was coming off an impressive 92-25 drubbing of the University of Chicago. The Fighting Illini boasted a close-knit squad, led by a group of five guys affectionately referred to as the "Whiz Kids." Art Mathisen, Ken Menke, Andy Phillip, Jack Smiley and Gene Vance made up a talented young group of four sophomores and one junior. Full story... |
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Not Many Guys Like Him
Talking with Illinois fifth-year senior linebacker J Leman is just simply fun. It's a breath of fresh air. Too often today, we find professional athletes in the news for doing things we cannot even comprehend. But in talking with Leman you get the other side of the coin. Full story... |
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Location: Urbana-Champaign, Ill.