Sports

For the first time in nearly a quarter century, Illinois State University's men's basketball team is the preseason favorite to win the Missouri Valley Conference.

McCade Brown stands tall these days. He toes the pitching rubber at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, and his recent call-up to the Major Leagues with the Colorado Rockies was a dream realized.

WGLT visited a recent Prairieland Punishers roller derby practice as they prepared for their double-header bouts Saturday at the Interstate Center in Bloomington.

Heartland Community College will partner with Normal's Parks and Recreation Department to operate Miracle League Field, a recreational venue for children and adults with disabilities.

The newly renovated Fairview skate park in Normal is set to reopen later this month. The public is invited to a reopening community event from 2-4 p.m. July 22.

Tuesday was the first day colleges and universities can make direct payments to student-athletes. This stems from a settlement in a landmark case involving student compensation. Illinois State University Athletics Director Jeri Beggs called it the most dramatic change ever seen in college sports.

Bloomington High School played host for what's believed to be the first international soccer match between FIFA member clubs in the Twin Cities — Peoria City versus Atlas from Guadalajara, Mexico.

The 30th annual event, held at the Brown Ballroom at Illinois State University, is the largest annual fundraiser for the Central Illinois chapter of the Red Cross.

The Ironmen finished with a record 37 wins with just five defeats and the program's first third-place finish at state.

Brian Knutson of Bloomington was still processing it a few days later. Attending any Masters would have been a dream realized. Witnessing history from 15 to 20 yards away? Are you kidding?