Expect Beckman Back, But Don’t Expect Greatness

My Nov. 26 column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) On the campus of the University of Illinois, the Bielfeldt Athletic Administration Building sits between Florida Avenue and St. Mary’s Road. But when it comes to the Fighting Illini football program, it might as well be stuck between a rock and a hard place. Or maybe that’s just […]

Can Illini Afford To Stick With Beckman Too Long?

Thursday’s column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) Somewhere down in Champaign, there’s a wall. And Tim Beckman’s back is up against it. On Wednesday, as Illinois’ beleaguered second-year coach was readying his team for this weekend’s trip to West Lafayette (or, at least, we assume he was), Champaign News-Gazette columnist Loren Tate wrote that, “Even […]

Illini Basketball Bouncing Back From Bad Weekend

Tuesday’s column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) When it comes to weekends, Illini Nation’s was about on par with Bernie’s. On Friday morning, basketball commitment Quentin Snider turned tails for Louisville. On Friday afternoon, Chicago Curie’s Cliff Alexander did everything but say he was “taking his talents to Lawrence” during his nationally televised dis of […]

Throwing Chicago’s shopping and tourism for a Loop

Saturday’s Wisch List newspaper column from The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) … The WISCH LIST By Dave Wischnowsky It’s arguably the most famous part of Chicago. Yet, unless you work in the area, you probably don’t spend much time there – something that’s true for city-dwellers and out-of-towners alike. However, […]

My Plea For U. of I. To Embrace Its Native American Heritage

Saturday’s column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) From controversial NFL nicknames to the NCAA’s so-called “hostile and abusive imagery” to the wrangling over trademark rights for the University of Illinois’ Chief Illiniwek logo, there’s a whole lot of talk these days about what people shouldn’t do regarding Native American heritage. But why don’t more people […]

Illini Nation On Edge As Recruiting Rumors Swirl

My Friday, Nov. 15. column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) Queasy. Jaded. Worried. Constipated. Disoriented. Resigned. Optimistic. Stoked. Ready. When it comes to moods, Illini Nation has more of them than a stack of Psychology 101 textbooks. And, really, it’s for good reason considering the emotional roller coaster that the fan base seems ticketed to […]

Beckman’s Job Status Putting Illinois Back In A Bind

My Tuesday, Nov. 12, column from CBS Chicago … (CBS) In 2009, the University of Illinois football program was in a bind. Just two seasons earlier, the 9-4 Fighting Illini had played in the Rose Bowl and the team’s prospects were soaring. However, appearing in the Grandaddy of Them All had failed to spawn success. […]