Fireside Chat

 Col. Charles Hovey, wearing his Civil War uniform. (Photo/Milner Library’s Dr. Jo Ann Rayfield Archives) via ISU News

    As I write my weekly blog post, I am surrounded by family and friends, enjoying a roaring fire this Memorial Day weekend. Talking about the Redbirds is a common campfire activity in the Arbogast family, and tonight is no exception. With the 2024/2025 athletic seasons reaching it's cyclical end, most of our conversation has been about the upcoming seasons. From Volleyball, Soccer, and Football in the fall to both Basketball teams in the winter/spring, optimism reigns supreme! I am, by nature, an optimistic guy, so it won't come as a surprise that I have such a bright disposition regarding said ISU teams. In the meantime, my focus has primarily been on Peoria City's Men's and Women's soccer teams, especially the trio Aniya Seymore, Erika Wells, and Sammi Cenek, who play for the Redbirds on Adelaide Street Field. I also went on the Bird Fans 4 Ever podcast with Men's Basketball standout Ty Pence and created t-shirts to raise money for the 1998 Club. In the near future, NIL merch, such as t-shirts, t-shirt jerseys, and sweatshirts, will also be created  . This week, I will have the "You Win With People" shirts in my possession and will be able to follow through with orders and necessary deliveries. The You Win With People shirts will be a one-time sale, but I will do my best to accommodate any requests. After these shirts are sold, my focus regarding merch will shift to RDB red and black short-sleeved shirts. 

    As for the blog's direction, expect engaging conversations with a wide-ranging roster of Redbirds. I'm gonna go make a Jack and Coke, so I will see you all next week, have a fun and safe Memorial Day!  However, I would be remiss if  I did not mention that we are honored and indebted to the brave men and women who have died serving our country. Our service men and women who paid the ultimate price deserve our gratitude and respect, so remember to take time out of the cookouts and celebrations to reflect on those who can not be here to enjoy the festivities; those who made the ultimate sacrifice. God Bless and Roll Damn Birds! 

 Elmer Cavins (front row, fourth from left) and other ISNU faculty and students at the American Expeditionary Forces University in Beaune, France, circa spring 1919

via ISU News

MVC BASEBALL TOURNEY: Normal, IL

 

    Over the weekend, MVC Baseball teams up and down the standings completed their regular seasons. With the exception of Evansville and Valparaiso, who did not qualify, the Valley seedings were established for the upcoming tournament in Normal, IL. The Redbirds finished the regular season winning 2 out of 3 games in Terre Haute, IN, against ISU Blue. The Redbirds earned the number 5 seed for the 2025 MVC Baseball Championship (presented by Credit Union 1). With Indiana State University being the eighth seed, they are scheduled to play the same opponent they ended the regular season against: fifth seed Illinois State University. The tournament hosts will throw the game's first pitch, signaling the start of the 5 day long championship hunt. The tournament's first round (5 vs. 8 and 6 vs. 7) is a single elimination high-stakes round that ends two teams' championship chances. Illinois State or Indiana State and Belmont or Bradley are ending their seasons on Tuesday with a loss, and the winning sides will advance to the double-elimination segment of the tournament beginning on Wednesday. You can throw out the regular season because it does not matter at this point. Every team in the field has an avenue to reach the NCAA Tournament, and nobody will take it easy or give up without a fight. Every team has to be locked in from pitch one to the last out.

    In baseball, it takes multiple moving parts to succeed at a championship level:  Hitting, Pitching, Defense, Coaching, and Crowd Involvement! Every person involved with Redbird Baseball is being called to do their part for the greater good. Playing or not, it’s all hands on deck this week, and that starts tomorrow at 1:30 pm at our very own Duffy Bass Field in a single elimination battle with the Sycamores! Energy for every pitch, every play, every game from everybody! This tournament is a playoff scenario that can automatically punch our ballclub a first class ticket to the NCAA Tournament, not to mention put a ring on the finger of every Redbird for winning the damn thing! This town loves the Redbirds, we all know it; let’s see it this week at the diamond! If we want the Birds to soar to major heights, we must cheer at a major level and make a difference! If we do our part as fans by showing up for the Birds, I guarantee we will have an overwhelming home advantage that will disrupt the flow of any team we face. So, when you show up, make a lot of noise, be involved, and support the team! It’s OK to yell! It’s OK to clap! It’s OK to be passionate! Let’s not be afraid to be bold and have fun at the same time. It’s baseball! What is the point if you aren’t having fun in the stands? The players are under enough pressure; let’s help them out by knowing we have their backs and are willing to participate in their pursuit of success. The less stress, the more focus, and the more focus, the better the results. Let’s have fun as fans and bring our best energy to the ballpark!  If you can’t show up in person, watch on ESPN+ and interact with fellow fans on social media! Spread the Red and do whatever you can to help the Redbirds Baseball team in their tournament run this week! Roll Damn Birds

WESTSIDE BLONO feat Redbirds Women's Soccer

 

    I grew up on the west side of Bloomington-Normal. I went to Oakdale, KJHS, NCWHS, HCC, and ISU, all on the best side, the west side of town. I would ride my bike to Carl’s Ice Cream and pick up milk from Jewel Osco on Cottage. Now, I typically drive, but my love for the west side has never changed! Now on the west side of Normal, there’s Blono Pizza Co., Westside Smoke (KC Style BBQ), Whiskey Empire, and The Basement Bar; all under one roof! The Westside BLONO is a modern, fun-filled venue with entertainment, food, and beverages for all ages. I personally love hitting buckets of balls at the driving range, and I always try to hit the parked car in the fairway; key word try! I didn’t try the duckpin bowling, but I am definitely trying that next trip. The amount of fun that can be had in one place is absolutely refreshing to see in town, and it’s affordable! I 10/10 recommend you visit and bring your people with you! Today, I went with my parents to try the BBQ and support the Illinois State Redbirds Soccer program. 15% of the bill directly benefited ISU Soccer! I’m a major supporter of ISU Soccer and Athletics, so any time I can support local business and my alma mater at once, you can count on me being there. I think it’s worth applauding companies in town who understand the significance of investing in the university, the athletic programs, and the athletes. Without the support of local businesses, ISU would not be as competitive overall, especially regarding NIL. The financial and emotional support helps attract top-tier athletes and community members to Normal, IL. ISU is only growing academically with the addition of an Engineering program as one example and the largest first-year student class ever as a second example. The better ISU does as a school, the better local businesses do financially. Local businesses allow for student employment and give alternatives to cookie-cutter chains. Unlike national chains (primarily), local businesses are rooted in the community and sincerely appreciate its history, people, and passions. Keg Grove partnering with Empower The Nest is a prime example of cross promotion, supporting local, and a vision for the future. I got the Blonde Ale, which paired well with the burnt ends and bacon mac and cheese. I like beer and I like food, sue me! So, as a Redbird fan, if I figure I have $25 for a dinner and entertainment, I will choose a place that invests in my team! I don’t have to go out of my way or anything to support the university or NIL fund, I can get a local beer from a local restaurant, and they take care of the rest! The more we support the businesses and entities who look out for the Redbirds, the more winning will be done at ISU! That is why I fully endorse The Westside BLONO; see for yourself and be amazed! Even if you could not attend the Women's Soccer Fundraiser, you can always support the program or players directly by donating to the Weisbecker Athletic Fund or to Empower The Nest! RDB (not a paid or sponsored blog post)

VOLLEYBALL @ ISU

    Volleyball in Normal, IL, has been a big deal for decades. Since 1982, Illinois State Redbirds Volleyball has had 17 NCAA tournament appearances, including two separate runs of 4 consecutive appearances (1982-1985 and 2018-2021). Head Coach Allie Matters coached her third season at Illinois State in 2024, improving on the 2023 campaign. In 2023, ISU finished with an overall record of 12-19 with a 10-8 record in MVC play. The 2024 Volleyball squad finished with an overall record of 17-16 and a conference record of 11-7. Coach Matters loses four seniors from last season’s roster while welcoming four freshmen in the fall. Senior Mekaila Aupiu and Graduate Student Maggie McCrary are among the departing players from the 2024 team. Mekaila was the MVC Setter of the Year and a First Team All Valley team selection, while Maggie was selected to the All Valley Second Team. Their contributions were essential in the improvement of the team and the development of many younger players. Junior Aida Shadewald is returning in the 2025 season as a senior leader on the team. In 2024, Aida was named to the First Team All-Valley Team for the second consecutive year. Sophomore Caitlyn Little, who was second for the Redbirds in kills and kills per set, had a career high of 21 kills at UIC. Freshman Khenedi Guest was an All-Valley Freshman Team member who was named MVC Freshman of the Year. Additionally, Hannah Reichensperger is returning after battling injuries in 2024 that limited her time on the court to only 15 matches and 47 sets.  In 2024, she had 10 blocks at home against Bradley, while in her breakout sophomore season, she led the team in blocks with 84 and had a career-high 18 kills at Murray State.  The combination of experienced players and new talent will make the 2025 squad competitive in the MVC. 

    Coach Matters is a proven winner at the Division 1 level. At Wright State, she made the NCAA Tournament twice, won two Horizon League regular season titles, and won the Horizon League tournament once. In 2019, she was named the Horizon League Coach of the Year after going 24-4 in the regular season and 11-0 at home and winning the Horizon League Championship, the first regular-season conference championship in school history. In the spring of 2021, Coach Matters and Wright State swept Samford in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, which was initially scheduled for the fall of 2020 but was postponed because of COVID restrictions.  After the historic NCAA Tournament run, Coach Matters was named the AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year.  The 2021 Wright State volleyball team finished with an impressive record of 23-8 and led the NCAA in digs and digs per set.  Coach Matters has a proven track record of developing and transforming programs, particularly at Wright State, which went from being at the bottom to the top of the league. 

    

    The best thing we can do as a community to support Redbird volleyball is buy tickets and contribute to the Weisbecker Athletic Fund and Empower the Nest (NIL). This is as direct a way as possible to create an attractive and sustainable program at Illinois State University.  Trust the process and RDB!