Redbird Classic - a real winner!

Illinois State University Redbird Women's Volleyball hosted a 4 team volleyball this past weekend.  Participating visiting teams were #7 ranked Marquette Golden Eagles, #7 ranked University or Illinois Fighting Illini and the Knights from the University of Central Florida.  Events kicked off on Friday evening with the Knights and Golden Eagles followed by ISU v the Illini.  Both those matches went 4 sets with Golden Eagles defeating the Knights and ISU upsetting the Illini!

On Saturday UCF took on the Illini in a morning match.  The Illini fell once again moving their record in the tournament to 0-2 and setting UCF's record to 1-1.  The evening matchups included a 5:30 match between UCF and Illinois State and the nightcap was Marquette and the Illini.  Both matches went 5 sets, both thrillers with ISU taking the win over UCF and the Illini besting Marquette.

Sunday afternoon, the final match between Marquette and Illinois State was nothing short of epic.  Marquette opened by taking the first set.  ISU returned to the floor for the second set with an improved look, taking it to tie the match and then coming in the 3rd set to take 2 straight both at a score of 25-18.  Marquette struggled back in the 4th set to tie the match and forcing the 5th.  The score in the 5th seesawed back and forth past the normal 2 ahead at 15 to win and eventually ending at a score of 21-19 with Marquette on top.

Final results for the tournament by team were:
ISU - 2-1
Marquette - 3-1
UCF - 1-2

Illini - 1-2

There was some really great volleyball played this weekend.  We encourage everyone to get out and see these teams.

Photo coverage can be found here:  https://alanlook.photoshelter.com/gallery/2019-Illinois-State-Redbirds-Volleyball-photos/G0000M5uXz0kVczI/C0000jPKkS1Kv84g

Football season gets started with ISU Redbird Red-White Scrimmage

The local football season kicked off today with the Illinois State Redbird Red-White scrimmage.  A healthy combination of fans and students attended the event and the preliminary activities which included the annual student promo photo on the field in Hancock Stadium with the Big Red Marching Machine, cheerleaders, flag corp, and Redline Dancers forming ISU all wearing red shirts.

High School football will follow in 13 days with the first Friday Lights games.

Get out this fall, support your local teams and see some of the great talent that passes through our communities!

Red-White game gallery

Bradley takes down Illinois State in Redbird Arena!

Redbird Arena - 2-16-2019 Bradley at Illinois State

The Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball outcomes have been absolutely unpredictable this season.  A few games back, Illinois State defeated Loyola to take the lead in the conference.  Last night they lost to a struggling Bradley team.  Actually, Bradley has been staging a bit of a comeback the last few seasons, albeit a slow one.  But, nothing seems to happen overnight with maybe the exception of the Loyola Rambler cinderella team last season...Devine Intervention?

The game has always been a rivalry, but in recent years it's been beat up.  This game, 9000 people filed in to the 'nest' to watch the game.  Some accounts say the contingent of Braves fans that travelled 40 miles from Peoria were more energized.  Maybe so, so much red in Redbird that I couldn't tell the fans apart by just looking up.  Still, the rivalry wasn't like it was in its heydays a dozen plus years ago when the thunderous crowds could have been heard halfway to Peoria... the years my ears would ring for days and I'd swear I'd wear hearing protection the next year.

Enough of my ramblings...  The Valley is truly up for grabs this season.  Arch Madness is going to have to sort it all out.  Here's to hoping the 'Birds are healthy and bring their best game.

a fairly small Photo Gallery!  Hope you enjoy looking!

Play4Kay at Redbird Arena

The annual Play4Kay women's basketball game at Redbird Arena this year was held on Sunday February 10 and featured the Indiana State Sycamores and the Illinois State Redbirds.  The normal faire of stationary bikes, treadmills, raffles, t-shirts, etc., helped to raise $20,000 for the Kay Foundations campaign against cancer.  For those that don't know, the foundation is named for famed women's college basketball coach Kay Yow.

A couple of pretty interesting things at this years game were the sneakers worn by Illinois State coach Kristen Gillespie.  The sneakers were a one of a kind pair that were commissioned by the foundation.  Several pairs of sneakers were made, and to my understanding were all different.  All the sneakers were given to different coaches across the country.  The pair worn by Coach Gillespie were auctioned off in a silent auction and transferred to the winner after the game.

The other item that was interesting was a result of the lighting upgrade over the past year.  The new LED lights that are aimed at the dome are color adjustable.  Normally patrons of the arena have seen them in Red.  During the "Pink" game, the lights were set to pink.  It's a really interesting feature and it will be interesting how they are used in the future.

Images from the game can be viewed here!  It's a small gallery, but more can be found by looking in the 2018-19 Illinois State Women's basketball gallery!  We hope you enjoy the views!

Valpo Crusaders trample IState Redbirds in MVC Men's basketball game

Well, starting off with the positive is the Star Spangled Banner was adequately performed last night at the start of the game.  It wasn't or even attempted to be overdone!  Not a first, but pleasantly refreshing.

From there, depending on the team you follow or the perspective you have - the rest of the night was either really good, or not so good.  Valpo walked on to something like a 14 - 0 run to start the game.  The Redbirds finally got it going in the 4th quarter and cut a 23 point deficit to 7 but it wasn't enough to change the momentum.  The Crusaders picked back up and sharpened their swords to take the score to a 16 point lead as the buzzer ended the bloodshed

Not a huge gallery this game, but some pretty cool under the bucket shots are here.

Redbirds defeat Ramblers by 8, move to 1st in MVC

February 2, 2019 - Normal, IL:  The Illinois State Redbirds and the Ramblers of Loyola Chicago squared off for a Men's Missouri Valley Basketball game to see who would walk away in sole possession of 1st place in the conference at near the midpoint of the season.  Dick Ludtke, a long time broadcaster was on hand to do the radio play by play and was recognized before the battle for his 1000th Redbird Basketball broadcast.

Just over 8100 fans nearly filled the 10,500 seat Redbird Arena and stayed in their seats to watch the entire game.  Although the point difference at the buzzer was 8 points in the Redbirds favor, the game was not really settled till inside the 1 minute mark.  The frenzied late play kept a crowd that oftens leaves with minutes left on the clock, in their seats till the end.

Photo Gallery!

Redbirds tackle Panthers at 107th Mid-America Classic football game

The Illinois State Redbirds defeated the Eastern Illinois Panthers on September 8, 2018 at the 107th playing of the Mid-America Classic held at Hancock Stadium in Normal Illinois.  The combination of Brady Davis at quarterback coupled with runners and receivers Spencer Schnell, Markel Smith and James Robinson provided many of the highlights.  The Panthers used 3 or more players at the quarterback position and couldn't seem to get started against the Redbird defense.

Click for Photo Gallery

Images are available for licensing from the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington-Normal, Alan Look Photography.

Lady Redbirds tackle the Eastern Michigan Eagles

The 3-4 Lady Redbirds moved to 4 and 4 on the season today after hosting and defeating the 2-6 (now 2-7) Lady Eagles of Eastern Michigan.  The game started out with the Redbirds taking the lead, a lead they never relinquished.  Quarterly scores were: 13-3, 26-12, 44-28, and the final 65-56.  Officiating crew for todays game was LaSha Hopson, Andrew Bills and Todd Moistner.

Birds make comeback run, but fall short against Racers

A fairly uneventful first half led to a 2nd half full of excitement as the Racers of Murray State visited Redbird Arena to play basketball against the Illinois State Redbirds.  Refs whistles came alive in the 2nd have creating some tension and escalating the level of play.  The Racers at one point mounted a double digit lead of 13.  The lead only changed one time, with the Redbirds giving it up to the Racers.  Late in the game, the Redbirds had trimmed the lead to one possession, but a couple of miscues evaporated the chance of taking the lead back to win the game.  Final score on the board was 78-72.

Litwiler puts on 3 point show during Quincy Hawks loss to Illinois State Redbirds

If you skipped last nights game at Redbird Arena, you missed a good game to watch some of the players that don't dust the floor very often.  Among those was Luke Litwiler, a walk on from Olympia High School who hit 3 points from beyond the arch and narrowly missed a 4th bringing the crowd to their feet!

From media day to Bison, August sun to November snow

We've seen the last of Hancock Stadium till at least the fall football practices.  Our season started this year doing something we hadn't done in many years - attending Media Day.  It was different this year than what we had been to in the past, but it was hot and productive in August... except the formal presser in the box with Brock.  Moving on to the month of September the first game against Butler seemed to come fast, but for the teams with 6 weeks of practice we are told it was an eternity.  After Butler there was a delay to get to have the 2nd home game on the last day of the same month.  October games are always fun with Homecoming and Family Day.  November is always the month of consideration from the time the very first schedule is announced.  November games can go either way weatherwise.  This year, we got 3 seasons in one 3 hour game!  Summer rain, falls freezing rain and winters mix of snow, they all arrived with the Bison.

A seasons worth of images will now keep the memories...

Here is the November issue of Best Look Magazine!

The November Issue of Best Look Magazine has arrived. - a product by Alan Look Photography.  View for free by clicking the cover below!  Printed copies are still just $9.95 each plus shipping and are printed on slick paper and an indigo press.  They make wonderful keepsakes and gifts.  Get one today for yourself and grab another for a friend or loved one!

Best Look Magazine: Best Look Magazine, Volume 5 Issue 4, November 2016

Best Look Magazine, November 2016 Volume 5 Issue 4

2015 November Issue of Best Look Magazine

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 4, November 2015

By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine

32 pages, published 11/10/2015

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 4, November 2015

The 2015 November Issue of Best Look Magazine has arrived. The front cover features a High Dynamic Range image of the Normal Theater in Normal taken during the Sugar Creek Arts Festival in July.  The rear cover is a shot of the memorial at Illinois State University that remembers the 7-
Aaron Leech, Torrey Ward, Scott Bittner, Jason Jones, Andrew Butler, Terry Stralow and Thomas Hileman who lost their lives in a plane crash on their way home from the NCAA basketball tournament in April.  Other features in this issue - a wrap up of the Normal CornBelters winning season, McLean County Antique Automobile Associations annual car show, Sugar Creek Arts Festival, a preview of the State Farm Holiday Classic basketball tournament, Ron Knisley Memorial Shootout, some highlights from the very wet Friday Night football games, the blood red moon and eclipse, volleyball and football from both Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan and It's Official makes a return.

Be sure to look up our sponsors.  They probably offer something you want or need.  Buy local where most of the money from your purchase returns to our local economy.

Illinois State Redbirds defeat Northern Iowa Panthers in conference play

Family Day had Hancock Stadium at standing room only and the tailgates all full. Governor Rauner was on hand as well as comedian Bill Engvall.  Both teams came into the square off with records of 2 wins and a loss.  The Redbirds loss was to Iowa.  The Redbirds switched up quarterbacks most of the game with Jake Kolbe getting the first snap and Tre Roberson coming in and out.  Jay Blunk, a graduate of ISU and a member of the Chicago Blackhawks stopped by with a big shiny cup often referred to as a Stanley Cup which brought a round of applause from the fans.  Redbirds took the game to go to a record of 3-1 and 1-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Be sure to check out the Normalite Newspapers and Best Look Magazine for more photo coverage from the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington - Normal.




20151003 Northern Iowa at Illinois State football photo gallery - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper

August 2015 - Volume 4 Issue 3

Now available online - viewing and electronic downloads are free, but grab a copy of the printed edition.  It really pops!

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 3, August 2015

By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine

32 pages, published 8/15/2015

Best Look Magazine August 2014 Volume 4 Issue 3 - Number 13

May 2015 Issue released

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 2, May 2015

By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine

32 pages, published 5/15/2015

May 2015 Issue of Best Look Magazine

Need something to do on Memorial Day weekend?  Ever been to the Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall in Marseilles Illinois?  It is a special place right along the Illinois River.  It is a first rate memorial and a solemn place to pay your respects to those who have made the freedom we experience possible.  Our cover and a story are dedicated to it.  Take a peek, this one is all funded by donations...

Other items in this issue are the basketball wrap-ups for the Illinois State Redbird and Illinois Wesleyan Titans men and womens teams, the runs to state by the Central Catholic girls and the boys teams from Normal Community and Ridgeview.  It's Official is back and there are a coupe of pieces on the Chicago Skyline and Christian Stoniev.

Thanks in advance for taking a peek at our publication and supporting our advertisers!

Alan

May 2015 issue a week out

One short week before the May 2015 issue is available for viewing and purchase.  In this issue, the cover story deals with the men and women of the US Armed Services that have lost their lives overseas fighting for our freedoms.  Other coverage will include the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, a wrap up on area basketball for the 2014-15 season, a local entertainer, the It's Official page and a couple of other features.

Mark your calendar and come by in a week to see the rest!

Torrey Ward & Aaron Leetch

It's been a very long and sad day for most everyone in Central Illinois today.  Waking up to the news that a small plane crashed a couple miles short of the airport in the dense fog and the suspense till the names of the 7 people killed in the crash was enough to wear one down very early.  Then hearing the names about lunch time, just seemed to take all the wind from the sail.  The dreary day just became gloom.

I sit back of the baseline for most every Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball game.  I have been for 15 years.  Knowing that most don't really like a camera in their face, I normally just do my job while keeping my distance.  People see me, I see them, we probably even recognize each other away from the arena.  It was no different with Torrey and Aaron.  I don't remember even getting the chance to say hello to Torrey.  I probably did to Aaron as he would have moved around the arena more.  I don't really recall.

With Torrey, one always knew when he was near the court.  He dressed impeccably, and usually had at least one player with him.  The respect for him just transcended the commotion.  Today, I saw a couple images of him where he was actually leaning into the court shouting something.  I didn't see that a lot.  He appeared to always be calm, cool and gentlemanly.  I'll miss seeing him on the court.

Aaron, worked behind the scenes.  Much of what you see around ISU Athletics is due in part to his greatness at his job.  He energized the community and the businesses and got everyone behind the 'Birds.  I'll recognize more of those efforts now that he is gone, wondering always which may not have happened had he not been on the job.



Torrey Ward photos - Images by Alan Look
 - Chimper