BLOOMINGTON – When Illinois Wesleyan University’s football team takes the field for the 2016 season, opposing defenses will find a comparatively young offensive line trying to keep them from getting through to their quarterback and running backs. Opponents will also find that IWU’s squad has “Just One Thing” on their collective mind, as well.

Three specific words could be heard from every Titans player on media day Friday at Tucci Stadium: Just one thing. That one thing is to win the Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin title.

Last season, IWU looked to be well on their way to doing that with a 7-0 mark until coming up short against their last two foes on the schedule last season, North Central, Wheaton College, and North Park.

But with a leg injury sidelining junior first string quarterback Jack Warner, the season could start with his backup, junior Jack Donegan, to get IWU’s potential positive start underway.

As the season opens up, a preseason poll by D3football.com has Wheaton College and North Central ranked in the Top 25. Wheaton College is ranked 8th in the poll, with North Central sliding into 13th. The CCIW preseason poll has IWU ranked third behind these two foes in that order.

Washington Alum Herrell Looking To Finish By Fostering Traditions: Washington Community High School product Austin Harrell, now a senior at IWU, “brings some differences to the game,” IWU head coach Norm Eash said, adding, “He’s different because defensive backs don’t know how to take him. He’s big. If you’re thinking of hitting him high, you’d better not think of hitting him high because he’s 6 foot-4 and 214 pounds. He’s got tremendous speed. When he’s running, he takes long strides. Defensive backs don’t know how to take him.”

One of the captains for the team this season, Harrell said he would like to finish his IWU playing career “helping younger guys on the team and to foster traditions for players in future years.”

During the 2015 season, Harrell continued to make his mark at IWU, as he had 49 rushes last season for 341 yards and one touchdown, the longest of which was 60 yards. He also caught nine passes for 128 yards and one score.

Morton Alum Monferdini Moving From Tackle To Guard: Morton High School alum Nicholas Monferdini will be among those on the front line looking to protect IWU’s offense for the Titans’ Sept. 3 in an exhibition game against Mexico’s Monterey University at Tucci Stadium.

“We started four sophomores last year and he was among them,” Eash said, referring to Monferdini. “That was rough going but we were still at 7-0. Now those kids like Monferdini who were in the thick of it last year will be a year older and I think there’s a big jump in the offensive line from sophomore year to junior year.”

Now that those front line troops are in their junior year, Eash said, “We’ll have a veteran offensive line, and Monferdini will be a big part of it.”

The new season will also mean a position shift for Monferdini, from left tackle to right guard – a move Eash believes the 6 foot-4, 270 pounder is more suited for. “Nick was more of a guard for us,” Eash said about the role he saw for Business major.

“Being on the field was great and it was a great learning experience,” Monferdini said. “Playing at this level, after playing at the high school level, really made me step my game. It made me work a lot harder for this season so I could get better.” For instance, he said, being a Titan has taught him how to adjust his pass blocking style.

Squib Kicks: IWU will have 9 starters on offense and 10 on defense as the season opens…..IWU will open the season at Nebraska Wesleyan on Sept. 10….IWU’s 2016 home part of the schedule begins by hosting North Central Sept. 10 at 6p.m.…. Wheaton College visits for IWU Homecoming Oct. 1 at 1p.m…..Elmhurst College visits on IWU Senior Day Oct. 29 for a 1p.m. game.

NORMAL – Changes in public transportation in the Twin Cities were recognized at Uptown Station as Connect Transit, the Twin Cities’ public bus service, announced the start of a redesigned system.

Connect Transit officials held a news conference Monday morning amid travelers going to trains and buses in Uptown Station to formally welcome the changes that had been implemented as of 5a.m. that morning.

As part of the new system, the following routes will stay but have been reworked according to new maps Connect Transit has released: Red, Green, Teal, Aqua, Orange, Purple, Blue, Brown, Pink, and Yellow. Joining those routes are three new routes signified by the new colors of Gold, Tan, and Olive.

Andrew Johnson, general manager of Connect Transit, called the revamped system “a game changer for Bloomington-Normal. It has simple and easy-to-understand routes, Sunday service, and buses that are much more frequent – some as often as every 15 minutes.

“Today, Connect Transit becomes a far more convenient option to get to work, to school, and to shopping,” Johnson added, as roughly 50-70 local dignitaries or their representatives, residents, and interested citizens listened in.

Johnson said the changes passengers will experience is “the result of years of discussions,” including 18 months of research and analysis the company did. He said the hours of research done by the company were done with the thought that “the system belongs to the community and has to work for the community.” He said financial assistance from Federal, State, and Twin Cities governments helped make the changes Connect Transit implemented possible.

Mike McCurdy, vice president of Connect Transit’s Board of Trustees explained to the gathering a Comprehensive Operational Analysis done by the company was among the factors that brought forth the new routes. McCurdy said the transit company held more than 100 public meetings to address bus patrons’ concerns.

McCurdy said the new routes were approved by Connect Transit’s Board of Trustees in a unanimous 7-0 vote.

U. S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-18th Dist.) addressed the news conference and credited Johnson and his staff at the transit company “for continuing to be proactive, and to continue to think outside the box, and continue to come up with ideas.”

Toward the end of the news conference, Johnson was asked about future placement of shelters at bus stops. Johnson said Connect Transit is looking at installing 25 shelters throughout the community, and that placement of the shelters would be determined by frequency of use. He said shelters come with a price tag that ranges between $10,000-$12,000.

Johnson added State and Federal funding is covering the cost of Sunday service, which costs around $1.5 million. He said 27 new full-time staff, most of them drivers, have been hired to help with the additional hours.

As for having a seventh day of service, Johnson said, “Everybody we’ve talked to is thrilled to have it.”

Johnson said Connect Transit has an average daily ridership of 9,000 people. He said the company is anticipating an increase in ridership of 19 percent once people get used to the new routes.

The news conference concluded with the dignitaries and members of the media taking a ride on the Green route out of Uptown Station on a round trip up through Bloomington, into its downtown district, past the outskirts of the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University, back into Normal’s city limits.

Green Route Buses Replace ISU “Nite Ride”: With Illinois State University students back to begin the fall semester, they will notice the familiar “Nite Ride” buses that have been used, mostly for late excursions to Bloomington pubs since the late night service began a dozen years ago, will now be serviced by buses running on the Green route. Those Green Route buses will keep later hours.

NORMAL – Normal Town Council members unanimously approved a resolution for the Town to select and negotiate a contract with the Chicago-based of WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff for the first phase of engineering services needed relating to the proposed pedestrian railroad crossing in Uptown Normal.

Town officials have been in discussions with officials from Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific Railroad concerning this matter, according to a memo from Wayne Aldrich, Town director of public works to City Manager Mark Peterson which was part of Council members’ meeting materials for Monday night’s regularly-scheduled meeting in Council Chambers on the fourth floor of Uptown Station.

Aldrich informed that IDOT now supports either postponing construction or elimination of a pedestrian overpass while the Town looks into an alternative for crossing the tracks.

In a scheduled meeting in November 2013, Council members entered into an intergovernmental agreement with IDOT in which the Town was obligated to design and construct the pedestrian overpass, a boarding platform at the south end of the tracks, and make improvements to the old Amtrak station in preparation for high speed rail. The total price for the project was $5,704,000. A total of $5,589,920 would be provided by IDOT, with the Town paying $114,080. An additional $1.25 million in Grade Crossing Protection Funds were also acquired for the project.

At the governing body’s Feb. 1 meeting, Council members unanimously authorized a supplemental agreement with Indianapolis-based Ratio Architects to modify plan documents which would remove the overpass from the project. In April, Council members unanimously authorized a contract with East Peoria-based River City Construction totaling over $2.5 million for construction of the south platform, canopy, and making improvements to the old Amtrak Station at the south end of the tracks.

But in May, Council members amended an agreement with IDOT which eliminated the overpass, and adjusted the cost of the overall project as a result.

Aldrich told Council members as a result of approving this contract, they will see three phases of the construction of a project which, barring substantial delays would take five years from start to finish. Phase one would involve creating technical documents and conceptual plans which would be presented to the Council. Phase one from start to conclusion would take about two years.

Phase two would follow, Aldrich said, which would be the design phase of the project, a process that would be completed in a period between eight months to a year later. Phase three of the project, the actual construction would follow should Council’s approval be received. That final phase would take two years barring delays.

Having agreed to the contract with WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff “will put you all in a very well-informed decision about this project,” Peterson told Council members.

“WSP will look at all possibilities,” Aldrich said, whether they come back a recommendation for an overpass, an underpass or no final decision.

Peterson said the project “will raise substantial Federal support. This information will not just be essential for Council, but it will also be essential for trying to attract Federal dollars for this project.”

Council Member R. C. McBride told Council members public support for this project is important, and more importantly, public input.

Metronet Granted Cable TV Franchise For Normal: Without discussion, Council members unanimously passed an ordinance granting a Cable TV franchise for the Town to Evansville, Ind.-based Metronet.

The franchisee license for Metronet is good for 10 years and gives Metronet the right to install equipment in the Town. They will pay a franchise fee to the Town which totals five percent of their gross revenues from its operations.

Currently serviced by Comcast Cable, the Town has had cable service since TeleCable first began operations in 1969. A Town Staff report to Council members explained that before an additional cable franchise can be granted, the Town must notify current franchisees, and a public hearing must be held.

That public hearing was held prior to the Council session but no one spoke on the matter. Comcast Cable currently provides service to the Twin Cities and has had a current operating license with the Town since 2003. That license is up for renewal in 2018.

Commission And Board Appointments Announced: Council Member Cheryl Gaines announced to Council members that Pamela Reece, Normal’s deputy city manager, has been named as the Mayoral appointee to the Town’s Fire Pension Board. She replaces Steve Mahrt, who resigned from the position. Mahrt had served on the Board since his retirement from his job as Town Corporation Counsel in 2014. There is no defined term for Mayoral appointees to the Fire Pension Board.

Christopher Niebur has been appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission. He will be filling the unexpired term of Bob Ward, an original member of the Historic Preservation Commission. Ward will be assigned emeritus status having served on the Board for more than 25 years. Ward recently retired from his job as an architect at Illinois State University . Niebur and his family have been Town residents since 2010. He is employed by Catalyst Construction. His appointment on the Board will expire March 31, 2018.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included

• Approval of minutes of the regular meeting on Aug. 1, 2016.

• Approval of Town of Normal expenditures as of Aug. 10, 2016.

• A resolution to accept a proposal from Bloomington-based Mid-Illinois Mechanical for the replacement of a heating boiler at the Community Activity Center in the amount of $94,237, and authorize a contract with Houston, Texas-based Dynamic Systems, Inc. for building automation controls in an amount not to exceed $11,000, and to approve an associated budget adjustment.

• A resolution authorizing the renewal of the Employee Group Health, Dental, Life/AD&D Program.

• A conditional resolution partially approving the tenth addition to the Vineyards subdivision.

• An ordinance amending Section 17.3-2 of the Town’s Municipal Code regarding the prohibition of possession of Cannabis and Cannabis paraphernalia. There was some discussion on this matter. After this matter had been pulled from the agenda for discussion, Council Member Jeff Fritzen expressed appreciation for the Town opting to impose fines which were higher than those established by the State for those persons convicted of possessing it.

Justine Siegel was never been big on softball. As a kid, she admitted, she always played baseball, a game she said gave her the confidence to know she should continue playing it no matter how many people she knew tried to get her to try switching to softball.

Her standard comeback for those folks who tried to urge her to make the switch to softball was “I love baseball. That’s the game I’m going to play. That was the answer I gave back to them.”

Her line of logic continued: “The two games use different bats, different balls, and are played on different fields.” In addition, for her, she’s a pitcher. For pitchers, she reasoned, the two games are not equals.

So, Siegel played baseball as a kid and young woman. At an Aug. 12 news conference on the concourse at The Corn Crib in north Normal, she was introduced to the media as a coach for the Frontier League’s Normal CornBelters, making her the first female coach the league has ever had in its 23-year history. A native of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, she said her decision to join Normal was based on the fact “I’ve only heard good things about the CornBelters, that they have a family atmosphere and I like being part of a team with that kind of atmosphere.”

Siegel, 40, isn’t just doing this on a lark, nor is she doing this for shock value. She has a doctorate in sport psychology from Springfield College, and got her first professional opportunity with the Brocton Rox of the independent Cam-Am League in 2009, and will be an assistant to CornBelters Manager Brooks Carey for the remainder of this season, including any playoff games. Her other experience in the game has included throwing batting practice for several Major League Baseball teams, and coaching in instructional leagues for the Oakland As.

Carey told reporters he has known Siegel “for seven or eight years. She obviously is a pioneer. She is very knowledgeable about baseball. Her qualifications are off the charts.” Those qualifications include being the founder of a non-profit group called Baseball For All, a group which encourages and provides girls opportunities to be involved in baseball.

“There’s nothing more thrilling than having the honor of wearing a baseball uniform,” Siegel told reporters. “I’m very grateful to be with the CornBelters. It’s been a very long journey from the Rox to the CornBelters, but every inch of the way, I’ve been trying to break down the barrier a little bit further for women.” She added that now, amongst the players and staff here, “I already feel like family.”

“From the Frontier League aspect, I’m proud to have Justine as a part of our family,” Bill Lee, commissioner of the Frontier League, added during the news conference. “Those of you who know me know how much I want the entire league to feel like a family.”

Then, turning to address Siegel directly, but aiming his next remarks to the media, Lee said, “I just want Justine to know you’re a part of the family. I respect you for what you want to do, and I wish you the very, very best.”

Lee said Siegel’s hiring “opens the door for anyone who’s qualified to do whatever they do, and I’ve always been a big proponent of anyone having an opportunity to do a job as long as they’re qualified for it.”

Siegel’s resume indicates she has the skills, qualifications, and persona that will fit in with Carey’s managerial style. She comes across as sincere in her desire to get more girls into the game. Here’s hoping her enthusiasm will help power the team as they get ready to fight for a playoff spot.

‘Belters “In The Hunt” In The Final Stretch: The CornBelters got an extra day of rest on Aug. 12 unexpectedly thanks to a rainout then dropped a doubleheader Saturday, and rallied to salvage Sunday’s game to River City. The team has been on a winning tear for the last part of July and the beginning of August. It’s a streak Carey had been waiting to have happen for Normal to even consider thinking about playoffs.

As a result of the winning efforts, “we’re in the hunt now,” Carey said. He then assisted with the next couple logical questions for some fans: “Are we one of the better teams in the league, and do we have a shot at reaching the playoffs? Yes, if we play well against the schedule we have left.”

Going into this week, East Division leader Joliet is the top seed, with West Division leader Southern Illinois as second seed. Evansville and Normal are the current top wild card teams, but as a result of the CornBelters’ struggles against River City last weekend, Gateway has moved to within one game of Normal, and Washington is 2 1/2 games out.

‘Belters Visit Florence Mid-Week, Host West Division Leading Miners Starting Friday: The team has Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 15 and 16 off before a three-game stint at Florence Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 17 and 18, including a doubleheader that first night. The team will return to The Corn Crib for three games against West Division leader Southern Illinois Miners Friday through Sunday, Aug. 19-21. Friday and Saturday’s contests will start at 6:35p.m., with Sunday’s first pitch at 4:35p.m.

Before the season ends, the CornBelters will get six chances to overtake Evansville, which is in second place in the Western Division. Starting with a three-game road trip Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 23-25, Normal will try to make that a reality. The Otters will pay their last visit of the season to The Corn Crib for a three-game series Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 30, 31, and Sept. 1. All of those games begin at 6:35p.m.

NORMAL – Illinois State University’s Redbirds football squad was ranked 10th in a top 10 poll conducted for the STATS FCS Preseason Top 25 poll. To anybody who saw their victory march in the middle of the season over higher ranked Missouri Valley Football Conference foes like Youngstown State and Northern Iowa, all part of a 7-game winning streak during the regular season, fans might think that was rather low.

But the power conferences ruled the preseason Top 25 with the Colonial Athletic Association collecting six selections, and the Big Sky Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference gaining five apiece. Reigning FCS Champion North Dakota State enters the 2016 season as the FCS favorite. Having won an NCAA-record five straight national titles, the Bison earned 152 of the 158 first-place votes from a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers.

As one might expect at this point in the year, with the 2016 season about to kick off with the Redbirds’ first home game at Hancock Stadium set for Saturday, Sept. 3 at 6p.m., the fans and the team are more interested in proving the pollsters wrong and moving up in those polls as quickly as possible.

Senior Linebacker Brent Spack Looks To Lead: Heading into his final season, senior linebacker Brent Spack said he is looking to be among those who will lead the younger Redbirds toward their future this season. “We have another good leader and senior, Alejandro Rivera next to me at linebacker, and he and I, we just want to lead our team and show everyone that we can win championships and will win championships.” The younger Spack said he will be stepping into the shoes of linebacker Pat Meehan, who was a senior last year. Meehan was the role model the younger Spack used for prepping for his senior season in terms of assuming leadership.

“In addition to winning the conference, and championship, is to lead the conference in defense, if not the nation,” Spack, a Normal Community High grad, said. “They’re big goals, but being a defensive player, I would really like to see that happen from our guys.” The younger Spack said he is considering graduate school and thinking about getting into coaching.

Breen Ready For Sophomore Season: In the classroom, Zach Breen is a junior and ready to continue his studies. On the Hancock Field turf, since he redshirted, he is a sophomore, which means he was getting acclimated to college football life after having been kicker for Normal Community West High School . “I got in a couple games last season, so I got a little experience under my belt,” the 5 foot-10, 175 pounder said. “It’s been a lot of fun learning from the older guys.” He said coaching staff watching him on film and then providing a critique of his efforts has really helped him out since having been in actual game situations. His personal goal for this season includes trying to get on the field more than the two times he was able last year.

Hoselton Gets Sneak Peek At Opponents’ Playbooks: Lexington resident and Bloomington Central Catholic High alum George Hoselton found himself in a unique position on the squad last year. A junior this year, Hoselton found himself third string at his offensive line position, but that presented what some might consider an unusual opportunity. During Redbirds practices, Hoselton and some other third string players found themselves in the role of the opposition during practices, running opponents’ plays.

“Being an offensive lineman, our job is to give our defense a good look each week at the opponent we’re playing every upcoming week,” Hoselton said of the assignment. “It’s nice to know that in this role, I have a part in helping my team get better.” Hoselton has aspirations of advancing from third string, and the only way he can do that he said is continue working on his skills.

“No Issues” For Freshman Hirsch Learning Front Line Assignments: Freshman offensive lineman Garrett Hirsch credits Redbirds Offensive Line Coach Dan Clark with helping him and his new teammates to learn to overcome mental lapses in practice which could be costly during game situations. “The whole playbook is really, so much more advanced than it is in high school,” explained the 6 foot-2, 290 pound center from Towanda. “There are so many mental lapses that can occur because we are still learning plays. But Coach Clark is so good at his job that the others assigned to him and I have no real issues.”

Bumpus Knows Players Need To Show They’re Ready For Action: Cole Bumpus will academically be a junior when the fall term starts and besides his football duties, he is one of the few players who will also be a double major in Finance and Business Administration. A Bloomington resident, he played defensive back for Normal Community West High. The business world may be highly competitive, but that shouldn’t startle Bumpus who said he wants to compete on the field to get a shot at playing safety or cornerback for the Redbirds. Going into training camp, he’s third string at the positions. “You have to show the coaches you’re ready to slip into those positions” when called, Bumpus, now a junior, said.

U-High Alum Galindo Finds “There’s A Lot To Learn”: Freshman defensive end Austin Galindo admits “there is a lot to learn about the system he is about to play in at ISU. In his high school days, he was a defensive end and tight end at U-High. “I’m just going to try to learn from the older guys and try to get better at the position,” he said. “Obviously, there’s a lot to learn as a true freshman.” He said even though there were fans at U-High games all four years he played at Hancock Stadium, he said playing as a Redbird, with the stadium packed will be “even more special” when he gets his chance to play for ISU.

Central Catholic Alum Hayes Waiting His Turn: Normal resident and another BCC alum is of the understanding he won’t go from the sidelines to the turf in what is his freshman year this season. “I understand everyone’s got to wait their turn, and that I’ll be redshirting this year,” the 6 foot-4, 255 pound defensive lineman said. “I expected all of this to be different from what high school was.” Just because he won’t be in games doesn’t mean Hayes isn’t thinking ahead. He said his goals for this season include time in the weight room to help him get stronger and faster.