Today’s column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) Tim Beckman’s coaching career at the University of Illinois has started off with two straight losing seasons. So did Ron Zook’s. Ditto for Ron Turner’s. But the last Illini football coach to debut with three consecutive sub-.500 campaigns was Gary Moeller back in 1977-’79. And he didn’t survive […]
Author Archives: Dave
Let’s End The Culture Of Fear Around Derrick Rose
Today’s column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) After taking his oath of office in 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stood atop Capitol Hill in D.C. and famously declared to his fellow Americans that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. But you know, he never met Derrick Rose. At least, that’s what […]
It’s Time The Illini Erect Statues Honoring Butkus, Halas
Tuesday’s column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) With only three winning seasons out of its last 12, the current reputation of University of Illinois football doesn’t have much going for it. But the enduring reputation of the Illini’s football past? Well, that’s golden. Although, right now, only part of it is bronzed. And it’s time […]
These three guys give Chicago its character
From the Saturday, Aug. 23, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) … The WISCH LIST By Dave Wischnowsky Unlike Los Angeles and New York, where the streets teem with famous faces, Chicago doesn’t have celebrities strolling down every block. But it does have its characters. Just this past Monday […]
5 Thoughts On The Illini Basketball Schedule
Friday’s column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) Its first game doesn’t tip off until November, but the picture of the 2014-’15 Illinois basketball team became clear this week. Or, at least, the picture of the Fighting Illini’s schedule did. On Thursday, the Big Ten unveiled this coming hoops season’s conference slate, filling in the blanks […]
Mork from Ork and other famous Chicagoans
From the Saturday, Aug. 16, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) … The WISCH LIST By Dave Wischnowsky Today, Chicago is home to 2.7 million people. Over the decades, it’s been the birthplace of many more – some of them quite famous, although their Windy City roots may not […]
Reality Of Cubs’ ‘Plan’ Is Taking Too Many Hits
Today’s column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) When I was a kid during the 1980s, there were few TV shows I enjoyed more than the “A-Team.” And during each week’s episode, there were few moments I enjoyed more than when, after pulling off yet another improbable mission, Hannibal – the A-Team’s cocksure leader – would […]
Chicago’s British café and grocer is a jolly good time
From the Saturday, Aug. 9, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) … The WISCH LIST By Dave Wischnowsky On Wednesday afternoon, the cheapest round-trip flight I could find online from Chicago to London would have set me back about $2,500. Instead, I found walking to Southport Avenue in Chicago’s […]
By Not Yet Naming QB, Beckman Making A Smart Call
Friday’s column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) He’s already been compared to Tom Brady. He’s already been projected as the Big Ten’s leading touchdown passer for 2014. And he’s already become the biggest name on the University of Illinois football roster without even playing a game. But Wes Lunt hasn’t yet been named a starting […]
To Redeem Image, Groce Needs To Seal Deal
Today’s column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) Down at the University of Illinois, John Groce doesn’t have a coaching problem. But as the Fighting Illini basketball coach preps for his third season in Champaign this fall, he does appear to have something of an image dilemma. Earlier this summer, when an ESPN panel released its […]