"A Season of Firsts"

Check it out. :)



Click to begin slideshow.

We survived.

The UIS Campus was out of harm's way when two F2 tornadoes passed through the city on Sunday/Monday. We were very fortunate to have avoided this storm. If any UIS students are interested in helping with the volunteer effort, contact LaTrice Nettles at lnett2@uis.edu.

Here are some pics from the Springfield area. The hardest hit areas are blocked off, it gets much worse in Jerome and other areas of town!

I hope people remember to replace their damaged flags.


Speed Limit. Unfortunately, we were crawling down Veterans 2-3mph while the wind was over the speed limit at 46mph.


No signals = bad traffic.


Apartments on Seven Pines Rd, near Westchester.


Apartments on Seven Pines Rd, near Westchester.


The flag survived, the pole did not.


A UIS sticker.. :( Notice how the glass held up around the sticker? UIS is strong.


That's not good.


I am glad this guy found his trash can lid!


More torn flags.

** Wal-Mart got hit pretty bad. Maybe that's a sign. Use this opportunity to begin shopping at Meijer or Target for your needs. For more information, goto:
http://walmartwatch.com/
http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/
http://www.walmartmovie.com/


This pole was dangling over Veterans. We didn't feel too safe.


Split.


This appears to be a cart corral from the Gordman's parking lot. Notice the metal fence above that is mangled and bent over.
A guy was working on the Gordman's/SportsMart/Old Navy sign and the wind ripped off a huge piece of metal from the sign and flung it towards Veterans. Luckily our car did not get hit.


Best Buy


Think it'll fit in my trunk?


Wow.


Hope no one was in there. :)


Chi-Chi's on Wabash.


This was all blocked off.


A house on S. 6th. That's not good.


More trees.


A big tree at Bunn Golf Course. At least that par 3 will be easier now. :)



Reporting live from Springfield. Back to you in the studio.

Brad

Kansas City, here we come!!!

Kansas City has quickly become the Spring Break hotspot for UIS students. Cancun? Maybe soon. Panama City? No thanks. Daytona Beach, so last year.

So what does this city in the middle of the US have to offer for Spring Break, a time for fun in the sun?


The NAIA National Tournament!!!!


On Saturday the UIS Prairie Stars Men's Basketball team defeated McKendree 83-76 in an amazing game. It was a very, very, very good feeling to watch the Bearcats go down. Only 4 short years ago, UIS began its Men's program and now we are heading to Nationals!

The McKendree/UIS rivalry is very intense, and is always a good time. There was some pretty creative stuff being used by the Blue Crew, and the gym was filled to capacity by 6:20.

Ok, I'm done writing. If a picture is worth 1000 words, here are the next 23,000 words I was going to write.

The UIS Blue Crew ignoring the McK intros


Braveheart?


Here come the guys!


The Blue Crew again, ready for the game to start!


Brokeback Basketball, aka Facebook is Watching.


You are my sunshine.... (fellow Blogger Jordan in the background!)


The McKendree Bearcat!!


What is a Bearcat?


KJ getting the team pumped up!


KJ taking it to the hole


D Pratt the Pimp slapping Howard the Smurf


Cheerleaders in action!


Blue Crew still going!


After the game, the court was rushed and it was pretty darn sweet. Everyone was going nuts.


All Conference 1st Team


The guys are enjoying the victory


We are the champions, my friends...


Look at everyone just stare at that trophy!


Nick Malone hoists the hardware


Mike gets his cut of the net


Coach Gamble holds it high


VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Congrats guys!!!!!



See you in Kansas City,
Brad

On our way to NATIONALS!!

The Prairie Stars are ONE game away from the NAIA National Tournament!!!!! And of course, we have to go through McKendree, our rivals. They have been playing great, and have won 9 of their last 10 games. But, we have them at home, and it's going to be insane.

SATURDAY NIGHT, 7pm. IF you want to be guaranteed a seat, show up no later than 6:30pm.

Last night we had a special guest, Blake from WDBR. He was raising money for the Polar Bear Plunge, and we set up a deal that people could pay $1 to get a picture with him. He raised $43, which was awesome. Dave and Dina just talked about it on the Dave and Dina Show, 103.7 WDBR. Very sweet. Go Prairie Stars!!!