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‘IIlini: Legends, Lists & Lore’

[AUG. 29, 2001]  Illini: Legends, Lists & Lore." Mike Pearson, Sagamore Publishing, 1995, 276 pages.

In Mike Pearson’s book "Illini: Legends, Lists & Lore," legendary sports hero Dike Eddleman writes: "I chose the University of Illinois, not only because it is one of the finest educational institutions in the world, but because of its distinguished roster of sports legends…Illinois was the best choice for a young athlete eager for world-class competition." It is that tradition of excellence in sports that Pearson so ably documents in his book.

 

Spanning the period from the university’s entry into the Big Ten in 1895 to the events of 1994, Pearson’s compilation is a treasure-trove of stories, facts, statistics and photographs that will entertain any Fighting Illini fan. The chapters are divided according to eras and contain an important athletic moment for that year, a unique Illini item and its future significance, trivia lists, the lore surrounding a significant event or person, birthdays of letter winners, and an exclusive focus on women’s sports.

Perhaps the most important section is the "Illini Legend," a passage that honors some the university’s most famous sports figures and celebrates their achievements on and off the field. These individuals combine with the university’s storied history in the Big Ten conference to create a tradition unequaled at other schools.

•  On Nov. 20, 1897, Illinois played its first indoor football game against Jim Thorpe’s alma mater, the Carlisle Indians (Carlisle won).

•  In 1901 the university’s baseball team played a nine-game series with the Chicago Cubs (the Illini won four of the games).

•  The school’s first intercollegiate basketball game took place in the 1905-06 season, when the team defeated Indiana 27-24.

•  1914 saw legendary coach Bob Zuppke lead the Illini to a national football championship. By the time he retired, Zuppke added three more national titles and seven Big Ten titles to his record.

 

•  In November 1925 Harold "Red" Grange signed a contract with the Chicago Bears for the unheard of sum of $100,000. Although his numerous endorsements added to his income, he reportedly instructed his agent "to limit him to a drawing account of a flat $100 a week."

•  Kenney Gym is named after Harold "Hek" Kenney. After becoming coach of the wrestling team in 1929, Kenney led the Fighting Illini to a 91-28-2 record and four Big Ten titles.

 

 

 

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•  The dominant sports figure of the early 1930s was Lincoln native Frank Froschauer. Froschauer was a member of coach Zuppke’s football team and the leading scorer for coach Craig Ruby’s basketball team.

•  Perhaps the greatest sports era in the university’s history occurred during the years 1950-54. Of the 48 possible Big Ten championships, the Illini captured 23, including baseball, fencing, gymnastics, and track and field.

•  Pearson calls the 1963 football game between the Illini and Michigan State, "the worst of times and the best of times." Because of the assassination of President Kennedy, the team was forced to make two trips to play the game in Lansing. In the end the Illini’s defense, led by Dick Butkus, won over the fourth-ranked Spartans 13-0.

 

•  On March 7, 1980, long-jumper Becky Kaiser became the university’s first woman athlete to garner All-American honors.

•  Golfer Renee Heiken won 15 tournament championships and honors as the Big Ten championship medalist during her career in 1991-93. With her achievements in women’s golf, she was a two-time Illini Female Athlete of the Year and a national Player of the Year.

"Illini Legends, Lists & Lore" is a must for any University of Illinois sports fan. In addition to a comprehensive treatment of the university’s sports history, the book has a complete list of letter winners from all sports, a year-by-year summary of the records and titles of every sports team, and a personnel history of the school’s intercollegiate athletic programs.

As Dike Eddleman writes in the foreword, "Perhaps there is no greater tribute to our namesake than the men and women of Illinois athletics…As you will discover in the pages of this book, throughout the annals of Illini sports, both athletes and coaches have been characterized by patience, perseverance, sacrifice, and spirit."

This book is highly recommended to everyone interested in intercollegiate sports or the University of Illinois.

For more information visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call (217) 732-8878.

[Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]



Arts in Logan County

Upcoming events and logo contest

[SEPT. 1, 2001]  The Logan County Arts Association is a newly formed organization dedicated to introducing all disciplines of the arts to our area. From hands-on programs for children to classical music for adults, the spectrum is broad and entertaining. Though it is still very new and in the setting-up stages, the association has already scheduled several events. 

"Music, Magic, and More" by Mr. Tone, a professional clown, is geared to children's activities and set for Sept. 29. Classic Movie Night featuring "Casablanca" will open on Oct. 11. An afternoon performance of classical Spanish guitar by Spanish-trained Chris Culleton is scheduled for Dec. 16.

"What we don’t have," says Marshall Jacobs, director of the association, "is an identifying logo that graphically shows who we are! Here's where we hope you can be of help and have fun in the process."

The association is sponsoring a contest in Logan County schools for a logo the arts group can adopt. Jacobs says this challenge can be an exciting art project for students in middle school and high school. The winner will be publicly recognized and receive a cash award and a free membership to the association’s first-year activities.

Entries should be sent to:

Logan County Arts Association

303 S. Kickapoo St.

Lincoln, IL 62656

Entries should be postmarked no later than Oct. 10 to be considered in the judging. For more information, please contact Jean Gossett, (217) 732-7542.


Artists at weekend fair receive awards

[AUG. 28, 2001]  Eighty-one artists had works on display Aug. 25 and 26 at Lincoln’s 28th annual Art Fair. Artists came from eight states, and the weather was very nice both days. The artists have always been pleased with Latham Park setting and none said they would not be returning. As usual, survey sheets were given to the artists. The responses are yet to be fully evaluated, but there did not seem to be any major problems. Co-chairpersons managing the fair were Debra Short and Shirley R. Bartelmay. 

Winners

Three-dimensional class

Sally Foster of Springfield — Wood

Daphne Davies of Osage City, Kan. — Jewelry

Mila Aciro of Palos Park — Art in sawdust.

Two-dimensional class

Sue Scaife of Springfield — Pastel

Connie Glowacki of Janesville, Wis. — Watercolor

Dennis Rosen of Wind Lake, Wis. — Photography

Special awards

The Janet Harris Memorial Award to the most creative painter was awarded this year to Julie Purdum of Hanna City for her pastels.

Alice Jaeger-Ashland of St. Ann, Mo., received the Best of Show award for her printmaking. This award was sponsored by Lee Dowling of Lincoln.


Click here for Aug. 9 LDN posting: "Stuart Wyneken turns out the lights after 30 years with LCT summer productions."


Comedy, mystery and musical to be on Decatur stage

[JULY 31, 2001]  Season tickets are now on sale for the 38th season of Theatre 7 — Decatur’s Community Theatre. Call the Decatur Civic Center box office, 422-6161, for more information. All shows will be performed at the Decatur Civic Center Theatre. The following shows will be presented as part of the coming season.

•  "Moon Over Buffalo" (comedy)

Written by Ken Ludwig

Nov. 2-3 and 9-10, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 4 and 11, 2 p.m.

A backstage farce about an acting couple in the 1950s who have one last shot at stardom as a famous movie director is on his way to Buffalo, N.Y., to see them perform. Misunderstandings and mistaken identities pile up for loads of laughs. Written by the author of "Lend Me a Tenor."

Sponsored by Bodine Electric, Miles Chevrolet, Romano Company and Skeff Distributing

•  "Deathtrap" (mystery)

Written by Ira Levin

Feb. 8-9 and 15-16, 2002, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 and 17, 2002, 2 p.m.

A successful writer of Broadway thrillers is struggling to overcome a "dry" spell when he receives a script from a student. Suspense mounts steadily as the plot begins to twist and turn with devilish cleverness that will hold you enthralled until the final, startling moment of the play.

Sponsored by Behnke and Company

 

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•  "Anything Goes" (musical)

Music and lyrics by Cole Porter

Book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse

April 12-13 and 19-20, 2002, 7:30 p.m.

April 14 and 21, 2002, 2 p.m.

A deliriously witty festival of songs and rollicking humor unfolds on a luxury ship making the Atlantic crossing in 1934, with a society girl caught between her finance and her boyfriend, a nightclub queen, a bevy of Times Square sirens and a slightly nervous gangster. Songs include "I Get A Kick Out of You"; "Blow, Gabriel, Blow"; and "You’re the Top."

Sponsored by Doug and Peg Schmalz and ADM Foundation

 

[Theatre 7 news release]

 


Lincoln Community Theatre website

Lincoln Community Theatre’s website is up and available. The site serves a number of functions, from providing information on becoming a season ticket holder to showing what new productions are being planned. Pictures from last season's productions are also posted.

If you are interested in joining a performance or just going to see one, visit LCT’s website at www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/index.html, e-mail LCT at lincolncommunitytheatre@yahoo.com, or write to Lincoln Community Theatre, P.O. Box 374, Lincoln, IL  62656.

[LDN]

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