Eric Loy, Sports Director at Neuhoff Media Danville, brings you news from the Fighting Illini Football & Basketball teams, along with news from other Fighting Illini Sports.
-Not getting Shaka Smart - in itself - isn't that much of a blow to the Illini campus. The search itself, and the publicity around it, is.
-AD Mike Thomas, intentionally or not, has been quite public about the search, something his predecessor certainly was not. Ron Guenther was as close to the vest as possible about most of his big hires. Showing your cards and letting contract numbers out to the media certainly makes you vulnerable to criticism when it fails. And the Smart and Mike Sumlin pursuits were failures, pure and simple.
-Shooting high and then hiring a mid-major coach for ONE of your major programs won't make so much of a national and regional ripple, doing it for BOTH football and basketball would. It certainly raises questions about what the top-level coaches think about the University of Illinois and the coaching situations there.
-What makes the job so repulsive as to turn down over two million dollars to take it? Was it the problems with the higher management of the college itself? I can hardly see that being a factor. Is it the fan response? Certainly it has declined in quality and quantity, but that can be attributed to the lack of success for the team more than anything else.
-Chicago? A big money target for the new AD for sure. If you are a coach at Illinois and the 50th best player in Chicago goes to another college and preforms well, you get hate mail on how bad you've recruited. Cant think of any other college that has that situation, but confident coaches overcome that view.
-It could be that the new AD is a "Shoot High, Aim Low" type. If you make a show of trying to hire a hot-property coach, you can then go after the coach you want when that search fails. I hope that isn't the case, that is a "fool the rubes" scenario.
-AD Mike Thomas apparently doesn't mess around. Hours after the Illini mens' basketball team was eliminated from the Big Ten tournament in the first round, Bruce Weber texted Andy Katz of ESPN to confirm that he was removed as coach. A news conference is scheduled for the morning at 11 AM, we will have it on WDAN.
-Unfortunately, the numbers speak for themselves. A horrible collapse in the second half of the season heralded in the bells of doom for Coach Weber. In my opinion, for himself and for the program, this was the right move to make. Weber is a good man, and very open (sometimes too much so) to the public and very active in the community and with charities. He will not be out of work long.
-When you hear the triumphant cries of the long-time Weber-bashers, remember where they are coming from. Most of the hard-core anti-Weber crowd had their biases set on strange reasoning. Some thought Weber shouted too much, some thought he threw his athletes under the bus too regularly.
-One former internet reporter turned internet stalker after one of the assistant coaches caught him in false reporting. After that, he lost his job with one of the websites as his bias soured his work. Since, he went to the blogsites and message boards with vindictive skewed stories and outright lies. Some of the anti-Weber crowd picked up those rantings as facts and repeated them until more people believed them.
-No idea yet whether the Illini will even make the NIT. No idea who would coach.
The Danville Dans play a Double-Header against Quincy tonight at 6:00pm from Danville Stadium. Listen to coverage online. Click for details.
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Send your non-profit group or organization announcements at least two weeks in advance via email to TomBarnes@neuhoffmedia.com, fax to (217) 431-1489, or mail it to Neuhoff Media, 1501 N. Washington, Danville, IL 61832.
Survivor Georgetown: Deep Sea Exploration at Mary Miller Junior High
Students will create tribes and develop teamwork and leadership skills as they ''travel'' the oceans of the world June 3rd through 27th, Monday through Thursday, 9am until 12pm. Students that meet the attendance requirement will be able to attend field trips to Forest Glen, Lafayette Water Park and the Shedd Aquarium. Space is limited, so enrollment forms should be submitted ASAP to reserve a spot. SURVIVOR Enrollment Forms can be obtained & submitted to Mary Miller Junior High School or Ridge Farm Elementary School. This is a free program for Mary Miller Junior High students and Ridge Farm Elementary 5th graders. Free transportation, breakfast and a snack will be provided. Call (217) 822-2580 or email kdavid@vcprojectsuccess.org for more information.
Armstrong Archery Advertisements
Armstrong Archery is hosting the Cupid Classic Archery Tournament in Armstrong. T-shirt advertisers will have their names listed on the back of t-shirts worn by the archery team as they travel to the World Tournament. Advertisements will also be displayed on the wall at the Cupid Classic. T-shirt ads are $150 & must be returned by June 15th, and Sign Ads are $50 for a 24" x 18" or $100 for a 36" x 24" & must be returned by June 27th. Send checks & information including advertisers name to appear on an ad, advertisers address & phone number to PO Box 20, Potomac, IL 61865.
Free Toilet Training Workshop
The Autism Program of Illinois is hosting a free toilet training workshop for individuals with special needs and their parents and professionals. It will provide strategies for developing a toilet training program for home or school settings. RSVP required by June 21st. To register, email skrein@thehopeinstitute.us or call 217-306-6751 with your name, email address and phone number. Indicate if you are registering for Urbana or Danville workshop. For more information, check out Puzzled Minds Vermilion County on Facebook or call 840-5627.
Blood Drive in Vermilion County
Central Illinois Bank in Danville will sponsor a blood drive with Community Blood Services of Illinois on Saturday, June 22nd from 9:30am to 12:30pm. The Bloodmobile will be at 2490 N Vermilion in Danville.
Wild Horse and Burro Adoption
Join on June 21st-22nd at the Ewing Wild Horse Facility for a Friday preview from 2 to 7pm and a Saturday adoption from 8am to 5pm. Adoption is first come, first served. Adoption Center is located at 22295 Sheep Farm Road, Ewing, IL 62836. For more information call 866-468-7826.
Fight Like A Girl Event for Lori Ostendorf
Fight Like a Girl at an event to benefit Lori Ostendorf. Lori has been diagnosed with brain and lung cancer. She's gone through intense radiation, is currently undergoing chemotherapy, is still trying to work as a letter carrier, and maintain a home for her son, despite all she's enduring. She is out of sick leave, and all proceeds from this benefit will be used to cover living and medical expenses. Benefit is Sunday June 23rd from 3 to 8pm at Sarge's Tap at 409 E. Main in Danville. There will be a silent & live auction, food, a 50/50 raffle, a bakesale and a dj. For more information or to make donations, call 217-474-6557.
Taste of Champaign-Urbana seeks Volunteers
Be a part of the Taste of Champaign-Urbana. Champaign Park District is seeking volunteers for the 43rd annual taste of C-U. This food and arts festival is taking place June 21st to 23rd at West Side Park in Champaign. The taste of C-U is the biggest fundraister for the Park District's Youth Scholarship Fund which provides opportunities for youth unable to participate in recreation programs because of economic hardship. Help make it the most successful year by volunteering! Email volunteer@cparkdistrict.com or call 217-398-2550.
17th Annual Sports Media Camp for Kids
The 17th Annual Sports Media Camp for Kids will be the week of June 17th through June 22nd. The nations leading sports media camp is for students ages 10 through 18. Kids will learn play by play interviewing and sports video skills. Learn from national broadcasters and enjoy a field trip to University of Illinois. Campers will broadcast a Danville Dans game along with hosting a LIVE radio talk show on WDAN. This year's camp will feature the voice of the Final Four Gene Honda. Call 443-8807 or visit DACC.edu to register online. Cost is $60.
Toyota of Danville Blood Drive
Toyota of Danville will sponsor a blood drive with Community Blood Services of Illinois on Wednesday, June 26th from 12pm to 4pm. The bloodmobile will be at 2106 Georgetown Road in Tilton.
Around the World in 16 Days
Experience the many wonders of the world such as 'Mummies' presented by the Field Museum and ''A Day as a Knight'' program at the Spurlock Museum from June 3rd to June 27th, Monday through Thursday, 9am to 12pm. Other FUN activities include field trips, art, music, stories from around the world, sports, recreation, archery, games from ancient civilizations, food of many cultures, basket weaving and more! Space is limited so enrollment forms should be submitted ASAP to reserve a spot. Enrollment forms can be obtained from Judith Giacoma Elementary in Westville. This program is free to kids 2nd to 6th grade. Please call (217) 267-2154 or email dcalvin@vcprojectsuccess.org
Fairmount Blood Drive
Fairmount First Baptist Church will sponsor a blood drive with Community Blood Services of Illinois on Saturday, June 29th from 10am to 1pm. The Bloodmobile will be at 202 S Main St in Fairmount.
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