11.17.20

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SPORTS 4 & 5

FULL BASKETBALL PREVIEW Redbirds prep for uncertain season as COVID-19 looms

THE VIDETTE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020 Vol. 133 | No. 13

videtteonline.com

Thankful for health Students, families prepare for pandemic Thanksgiving

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t is the start of the holiday season, and though some thought COVID-19 would be gone by now, the virus is an unexpected guest this Thanksgiving.

For many, this holiday is the chance to gather with family and share what one is thankful for, and then promptly enjoy a shared meal.

Many college students hold their own “Friendsgiving” with each other to celebrate their friendship and say goodbye before the monthlong winter break which separates them. With COVID-19 as an added wrinkle, students may be hesitant to gather with each other before going to grandma’s for the holidays.

This year, Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving may be a little different, but it should not take away the joy of trying to meet up with friends the safe way.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged that the pandemic has been a stressful and isolating time for many, and the holidays are a chance to reconnect with loved ones.

However, as cases rise, small household gatherings continue to be major contributors.

The holidays are a time of gathering, which is the root of this year’s problem. People should try to follow the COVID-19 guidelines and be persistent with safety.

See THANKSGIVING on Page 6

STORY BY MEGHAN FORTUNATO | News Reporter | @Meghanfortunato ILLUSTRATION BY FLYNN GEREGHTY | Art Director | @flynniegthatsme

PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

Students urged to use Visor services in person or online

COVID-19 on the rise in McLean County

6,723 cases in McLean 507 new cases on Monday in McLean since Nov. 13

ALEXIS PLUMMER News Reporter | @Lexi1Oliver

0 new cases at ISU on Nov. 16 13.6% seven-day positivity rate through Nov. 8

5.6% positivity rate at ISU. 1,717 students at ISU positive for COVID-19

117 active cases at ISU 1,600 recovered cases at ISU

119,100 total tested in McLean County

1,544 individuals in home isolation in McLean County

45 COVID-19-related deaths in McLean

SOURCE: THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Alex Gant | @AlexGant16 | Photo Editor

Students are waiting to get tested at the mobile COVID-19 testing site located in the Alamo II parking lot. The testing site is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. all week. Students are strongly encouraged to get tested before heading home for fall break. Students can also get tested at the old firehouse station on Adelaide Street behind Cardinal Court.

Snow no! Prepping for winter weather ALEXIS PLUMMER News Reporter | @Lexi1Oliver

Winter weather safety tips  Have an emergency kit stocked and be winterstorm ready Have a good amount of salt or sand for melting ice  Winterize your home, such as covering windows with plastic SOURCE: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

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i t h the holiday season already beginning, so is the preparation for winter weather.

Students will be heading home for Thanksgiving break, with many students remaining home until spring semester.

By the time students return to campus in January, winter weather will more than likely be in full swing with snow covering campus.

The grounds department at ISU is already planning for the upcoming winter weather.

“The university’s grounds department has a comprehensive plan for dealing with winter weather. Their fleet of maintenance vehicles are fitted with snowplows in the winter to maintain the parking lots and sidewalks throughout the campus,” Director of Media Relations Eric Jome said.

The tractor and truck maintenance vehicles are set to have snowplows on them all winter long to make it easier when having to plow sidewalks and parking lots. Pathways will be cleared ahead of time to make sure that everyone can make it around campus safely rather than having to walk or drive through snow.

The grounds department is also prepping for the use of salt and sleet to maintain safe walkways across campus.

“The grounds department also has large stocks of salt and de-icing solution to maintain safe walkways and steps leading into campus buildings,” Jome said. “During winter storms, grounds workers arrive early, often around 3 a.m., to begin work on snow removal so that the campus is open for business.”

Besides keeping campus safe and clear of snow and ice, another worry about the arrival of wintertime is the start of flu

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2020-2021 Editor in Chief Elizabeth Seils News Editors Kellie Foy Grace Kinnicutt

season.

University officials are urging students to get their flu shots and to continue taking the pandemic seriously to keep their fellow peers safe during the winter.

“There is certainly heightened concern this flu season because of the pandemic. We’ve urged faculty, staff, and students to get their flu shots as a preventative measure. The COVID19-related safety guidelines of face coverings, physical distance, frequent hand washing, and isolating if sick can also aid in reducing the spread of flu,” Jome said.

While keeping campus safe of snow and ice, the university also wants Redbirds to keep each other safe from the flu and COVID-19.

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The Illinois State University Julia N. Visor Academic Center has also had to adapt to changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a normal academic center, students would go to the tutoring center in the basement of Hewett and Manchester, but sessions have mainly been moved online due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Due to the complications COVID-19 has had with original ways of learning and teaching, tutors and those attending have had to adapt to the change.

While it is hard to judge the difference from teaching sessions in person to online, the mode of learning has not had too much hinderance.

“I haven’t seen much of a difference in my students. I have less than usual so I’m not sure,” senior math and computer science education major Melanie Hess said.

Students also have more access to past lessons since professors now post lectures and notes online to refer to when doing homework or studying.

Professors posting lectures online along with students utilizing the internet to search for more help has made them less dependent on the Visor Center this year.

“Students are more likely to utilize the internet for answers and because teachers have recordings that they can look back on, so I think students are relying on those more than the Visor,” Hess said.

Students are still welcomed and urged to use the tutoring center if needed. They are available for in-person and online studying sessions.

If a student wishes to sign up for tutoring, they can call the center at (309) 438-7100 or go to the University College website and click the Academic Help tab or search for the Julia N. Visor Academic Center.

The Vidette

The Vidette is published Tuesdays every week, except for final examinations, holidays and semester breaks. The digital Summer Vidette is published in June and July. Students are responsible for the content of the Vidette. The views presented do not necessarily represent, in whole or part, those of the Illinois State University administration, faculty and students.

The Vidette is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Illinois College Press Association. Subscriptions are available by mail to anywhere in the United States for $150 per calendar year. © The Vidette 2020 University & Locust / Campus Box 0890 / Normal, IL 61761–0890

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3

Businesses strive to keep staff, customers safe Recent enforcement of Region 2 mitigations leaves BloNo area feeling déjà vu

MEGHAN FORTUNATO News Reporter | @Meghanfortunato

Mayor of Bloomington Tari Renner is working on finding the best ways to keep local business afloat but doing it a safe way.

“Here and throughout the state, espeocal businesses in the Bloomcially now with the recent spike influx,” ington-Normal area are once Renner said. again readjusting to the new mit“We’re working with the state, particuigations implemented as COVID-19 larly the Illinois Department of Health numbers spike. and our local health department, to make The winter days are ahead and there sure we can do whatever we can to ensure is no plan of what is to come set in there is compliance.” stone.

Consistently, the mayor is reminding Local restaurants seem to be expepeople to voluntarily follow the guidelines. riencing déjà vu as they head in the If there is a technical violation, fines direction of curbside delivery due to will continue to be given out. Bars not restrictions set on indoor dining. abiding by social distancing or wearing “Business has been slowing down masks have been fined as well. because obviously they don’t have the On a daily basis the mayor is talking to option to sit in,” co-owner of Rock the Centers for Disease Control and the Restaurant Charbel Saliba said.

United Conference of Mayors to figure “Delivery is picking up which is out what other communities are doing fine, but it’s going to charge the cuswith the recent spike not only in Bloomtomers even more money to get the ington but nationally. food delivered.”

“The nature of the enforcement is Saliba will not be advertising for incontinuing to be more aggressive, it’s door dining to be open. changing,” Renner said.

If there are issues with customers Maia Huddleston | Photo Editor | @maiawrites The City of Bloomington is trying to not being able to sit outside in the Bloomington-Normal residents Christian Williams and Patrick Mckimm stand in line at The Rock Restaudevelop another small business grant procold, they are not going to let them sit rant. The Bloomington-Normal area, including The Rock Restaurant in Uptown Normal, is readjusting its gram, which started last summer, where outside. If needed, the restaurant will guidelines to follow the state mitigations that have been in place since early November. businesses could apply for grants up to hold fewer than 10 people in the store $4,500 to help get through COVID-19. with social distancing involved. our local businesses.” mandated restrictions by the state.”

The mayor is also exploring ordinances, “Even though the customers are supporting On the other hand, Ancho & Agave has When the restaurant adjusted to curbside which Champaign has passed. as much as they can, I feel bad that I would shut down outdoor dining and will only be delivery, business picked up. Davenport said It goes further than the governor’s emerhave to charge them way too much than bedoing curbside pickups. responses have been excellent, having been gency order. Insisting that people do not have ing able to come and sit and enjoy the experiAncho & Agave manager Kenneth Davenable to support staff and get as many people their utilities shut off, especially going into ence of being in a restaurant,” Saliba said. port explained that with protocols changing all as they could to work. the cold months, the mayor wants people to Saliba plans to keep being safe and follow the time, the restaurant took safety precau“It’s probably not going to be as robust as be as safe as they can be. the rules by keeping the dining room shut tions as a part of their business model and ran we would like it to be because, well, in this “We’re trying to work to find ways to down. with it. business, we are excited about getting every mitigate the harm for individuals economi“We want to be safe. We want staff to be “It’s tough because we feel like we’ve been dollar we can,” Davenport said. cally and business[es] economically as well as safe [and] we want our customers to be safe,” an operation that has followed all the proto“The question is how long is the mitigation attempting to promote public safety which is Saliba said. “No matter what we’re going cols since day one,” Davenport said. restriction going to last and how long are we our most important goal,” Renner said. through, customers still step up and support “We’re going to continue to follow the going to weather the storm?”

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ISU Pride shows support for Black trans lives KELLIE FOY News Editor | @kellie_foy

Upon arrival at Uptown Normal, the group socially distanced from each other in Uptown Circle while candles were handed out. At this point in the event, Patterson Late Saturday afternoon chants saying, started the vigil portion of the event by nam“Healthcare is a human right, not just for the ing 34 Black trans lives that were lost this cis and white,” “No hate, no fear, Black trans year alone. folks are welcome here” “It’s almost and many others filled something that you the streets of Uptown can’t even put into Normal. words. To think that These chants people are killed for stemmed from Illinois being who they are, State University’s Pride it’s unfathomable organization and other really is what it is,” students as they gathsophomore commuered for Pride’s Black nication sciences and Trans Lives Matter disorders major and march and vigil. Many member of Pride’s students marched with executive board Allie signs, masks and reBeam said. quired social distancing.

“I think it is so Starting in Schroeder important, especialPlaza and working its ly every year, that way to Uptown Norwe’re celebrating mal, the group powered and remembering through the rain, wind our trans brothers, and cold weather in sisters, enbies that honor of Transgender are in the commuDay of Remembrance. nity, those who have “Trans Day of Remembrance is a yearly Michelle Guerrier | Photographer | @michellayy4 passed and those observance that Pride ISU Pride President Emily Patterson holds who are still here has an event for every a poster for the transgender lives that have because their lives are just so imporyear. This year with the been lost. tant.” coronavirus, we still Patterson then proceeded by opening up wanted to be in community with each other, the floor to those who had speeches prepared but we wanted to do it safely,” Pride President or wanted to share inspiration with the Emily Patterson said. group.

“That’s why we decided to have the march Many shared their own stories and experiup here where we could be socially distant ences while others discussed being an LGTbut still be in community with each other.”

Michelle Guerrier | Photographer | @michellayy4

On Saturday, Illinois State University Pride marched through Normal in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. The march began outside of Schroeder Hall and went around Uptown Circle.

BQ+ ally and what supporting the LGBTQ+ community truly means to them.

For Beam and the group, this includes not being a “performative ally,” donating to organizations, putting pressure on legislators and providing emotional support for the community among other duties.

“I have been working really hard, especially as a white person, to not only be an ally but be an accomplice, to not just be performative and just make yourself look good. We’re out here [not only] celebrating Black trans lives, but we’re actually donating to those organizations [and] actually electing legislators who will make a difference for those communities,” Beam said.

“I think that putting in that tangible work [and] change is the best way to be an accomplice and that’s something that we need to see a lot more across the board.”

Some took it a step further to discuss the importance of recent results from the

presidential election toward the community and what this means going forward in the next four years as President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are in office.

“I hope that with this new administration, they will work to restoring those rights and going beyond that work to ensure the safety and liberty of every trans person. But like many of our speakers said, I also know that that’s an uphill battle and often our officials cave to the pressures of folks who do not want to see trans people living full and healthy lives,” Patterson said.

“I’m hoping that they will fight for us, but I know that our community will have to fight and push them in that direction.”

After getting through the speeches, Patterson concluded the event by reading each of the 34 Black trans names one last time while the group said “rest in power” after every name.

“I have been working really hard, especially as a white person, to not only be an ally but be an accomplice, to not just be performative and just make yourself look good.”

Allie Beam, Pride Executive Board member

PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

M E N ’ S BA S K E T BA L L

PREVIEW 2020-2021

A leader needs to step forward for men’s basketball

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ecently, Illinois State University senior forward Keith Fisher III announced that he would be opting to use a waiver for the 2020-21 season, leaving the Redbirds without an on-court veteran presence.

Fisher’s reasons for opting out are understandable. Fisher chose his family’s and newborn daughter’s safety over another run with the Redbirds. While Fisher’s reasoning is understandable, the timing and loss will have a big impact on the Redbirds for the upcoming season.

As the lone senior, many expected Fisher to step into the spot as a leader in his second year as a Redbird. Despite early struggles, the San José State University transfer started showing flashes that he could lead this team at the tail end of

MY VIEW JAKE SERMERSHEIM | Sports Editor last season with more constant play.

Over the last 14 games of the season, Fisher averaged 12.1 points and 6.9 rebounds a game, which was an improvement on his 9.6 points per game and six rebounds per game.

Fisher also showed improvements in the system, defensively and with fouls.

ISU’s latest loss in Fisher marks a growing trend of inexperience for the Redbirds. Like last season, the

team is full of first-year Redbirds with a few returning players and few upperclassmen.

The only incoming senior from last year is Fisher. The retired Matt Chastain and the transferred Lijah Donnelly are all off the roster. Now the Redbirds bring in just four upperclassmen — all juniors, and three transfers — and just four players who saw time in a Redbird uniform last season.

With Fisher gone, the Redbirds will need a leader to emerge now more than ever. But there seems to be no obvious leader on this roster like the Redbirds had last year in Zach Copeland. While Chastain has retired, he is still helping ISU practice, running approximately 80% of practices with the team.

But even with Chastain help-

ing from the wings, ISU will need someone to serve as a court general.

Sophomore guard DJ Horne looks to be the player most people expect to lead the team. Horne’s 8.7 points a game rank first among returning Redbirds. Horne showed poise few expected from a freshman last season. Many expect him to take the next step and step into a leadership role.

“The next step for DJ is to be a leader, and yet as a sophomore that’s hard,” Illinois State head coach Dan Muller said. “I don’t think he should be a perfect leader, but he has got to be a guy that can help guys play better. He’s got to be a guy that is consistent with his focus, mindset and body language.”

Junior Dedric Boyd also appears to be a likely candidate to

lead ISU. As the oldest returning Redbird, Boyd will be thrust into an important role early. Boyd showed he could be a key scorer for the Redbirds last season. During Boyd’s best stretch he racked up 22 points against University of Central Florida and 19 against University of Cincinnati the next game.

As of now, Horne and Boyd seem to be the most likely candidates to lead the Redbirds. While it should not matter who slots in as the leader, one is badly needed. Without a leader, the Redbirds could likely fall lower than their ninth rank in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll.

A young team full of first-year players and transfers will need all the help it can get when it comes to cohesiveness.

See STEP FORWARD on Page 8

’BIRDS TO KNOW Despite only being a sophomore, DJ Horne looks to serve as not only a serious scoring threat but a leader on the court. Last season, Horne DJ ranked third on Horne the Illinois State University team with 8.7 points a game. Horne is the top returning scorer for the Redbirds this year.

Josiah Strong joins the Illinois State University men’s basketball team as a junior after averaging 17.8 for Iowa Western during the 2019-20 Josiah Strong season. Prior to playing at Iowa Western, Strong spent a year at Navy. With Keith Fisher III opting out, more opportunities should come about for Strong.

Alex Kotov joins Illinois State University after stints at Palm Beach State and Daytona State. Kotov played in just two Alex games last year Kotov before suffering a season-ending hand injury. The 6-foot-10 Moscow native looks to play a key role in the paint for ISU.

2020-’21 SCHEDULE Nov. 25 at Ohio State Dec. 12 at Ball State Dec. 15 Chicago State Dec. 30 at Evansville Jan. 3 Southern Illinois Jan. 6 at Northern Iowa Jan. 9 Indiana State Jan. 13 at Loyola Chicago Jan. 16 at Bradley Jan. 20 Valparaiso Jan. 23 at Missouri State Jan. 27 Evansville Jan. 31 Bradley Feb. 3 at Drake Feb. 6 at Valpo Feb. 10 Missouri State Feb. 13 at Southern Illinois Feb. 16 Loyola Feb. 20 Northern Iowa Feb. 23 at Indiana State Feb. 27 Drake March 4 start of Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Home games in red

Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @alexgant16

Illinois State University men’s basketball team huddles during a practice earlier this off season. ISU is scheduled to begin its season on Nov. 25 against Ohio State University

Uncertainty reigns for young Redbirds JAKE FOGAL Sports Editor | @jfogal5

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ncertainty reigns as college basketball returns to the spotlight come Nov. 25, but as many teams have secured their non-conference slates, the Illinois State University Redbirds sit stuck within a merry-go-round of changing events.

The Redbirds’ non-conference schedule has yet to be finalized with just Ball State, Chicago State and Ohio State as the only non-conference opponents to be announced. Still, regardless of a filled non-conference schedule, their sights are set on bouncing back after a disappointing 201920 campaign.

Finishing the season 10-21 (5-13 Missouri Valley Conference), ranks as the worst in nine seasons for Illinois State head coach Dan Muller.

“We had a terrible record last year, and there was nobody more disappointed than I was,” Muller said.

Looking to avoid another disastrous season in Normal, Muller relies on the youngest roster he has ever coached.

A young group poised with potential, yet lacking experience continues the uncertain narrative that already accompanies the team into the season. With 10 fresh faces donning Redbird uniforms, patience may be required as struggles could be imminent with limited practice time.

Departing seniors from last season are Zach Copeland, Jaycee Hillsman and Ricky Torres, but the Redbirds lost much more than these three contributors. Matt Chastain and Taylor Bruninga

called it a career due to injuries, and Rey Idowu and Lijah Donnelly transferred.

Sophomore standouts DJ Horne, Antonio Reeves and Abdou Ndiaye are looked upon to take the next step after having played key roles in their freshman seasons. Horne has the loftiest expectations of them all, as Muller foresees a leadership role for his second-year guard.

“The next step for DJ is to be a leader, and yet as a sophomore that’s hard,” Muller said.

“I don’t think he should be a perfect leader, but he has got to be a guy that can help guys play better. He’s got to be a guy that is consistent with his focus, mindset and body language.”

Horne’s responsibilities increased mightily with the recent departure of senior forward Keith Fisher III. Fisher opted out of the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 concerns and leaves the Redbirds lacking upperclassmen to mentor the youth on the roster.

“Losing Keith [Fisher] definitely hurt us as a whole unit,” Horne said.

“Definitely puts more pressure on me and [Reeves] and some of the people that played last year to step up into these leadership roles. I feel like that is a position that I am going to be ready to take on and be better at from last year,” Horne said.

Leadership will not come easily to the trio of sophomores, but junior guard Dedric Boyd looks to help mold the Redbird culture within the young core that represents the program.

“I want the young guys to succeed,” Boyd said.

“I’m going to bust my butt at practice and be vocal, because I know what that feels like to lose. I don’t

want the young guys to go through that same feeling.”

With plenty of new faces on the team, many of the first-year Redbirds will be expected to contribute immediately. One of those is transfer guard Josiah Strong.

Strong joins the Redbirds as a junior after averaging 17.8 for Iowa Western University during the 2019-20 season and could find himself inserted in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.

A problem that troubled the Redbirds last season was centered around struggles in the paint. Addressing that concern, Muller recruited two 6-foot-10 behemoths that should fix any issues in the paint.

Junior Dusan Mahorcic and sophomore Alex Kotov should sure up the paint for the Redbirds.

Consistency is an area that the Redbirds hope to have improved on heading into this season, as several blown leads were given up in anything but an inconsistent showing from ISU last year. Muller has commented on many occasions that it is crucial that Horne and Reeves improve their consistency in their sophomore seasons.

The Missouri Valley Conference is not providing much optimism for the Redbird fans this season, ranking them ninth in their annual preseason poll. With inexperience likely playing a huge factor in the deciding of the high seed, Reeves claims this adds a chip onto the Redbirds’ shoulders.

“It does set a fire under us. We got to keep pushing every day at practice and continuing to get better. We are going to gain something from that,” Reeves said.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

THE VIDETTE | PAGE 5

WO M E N ’ S BA S K E T BA L L

PREVIEW 2020-2021

Redbirds push for tourney run amid virus

Rising to the prize RACHEL HICKEY & DARNYSHA MITCHELL Sports Reporters | @Vidette_Sports

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llinois State University women’s basketball is set to make its expected return next week, and head coach Kristen Gillespie has her Redbirds prepared to start off strong at Northern Illinois University on Nov. 25. Along with NIU, the Redbirds have three other confirmed opponents, featuring home games against Dayton and Saint Louis, with an away matchup against Western Illinois. The Redbirds are still in talks with Tulsa and Saint Xavier over finalizing a game.

Nonetheless, the fifth-ranked Illinois State women’s basketball team looks to continue its recent history of finishing higher than its preseason ranks.

MY VIEW DARNYSHA MITCHELL Sports Reporter

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A new team landscape

Vidette Archive

The Redbirds suffered some heavy Senior guard Paige Saylor preparing for a layup against Loyola-Chicago on Feb. 15. losses due to graduation this year, which drastically affected the makeup “COVID-19 has 2020-’21 of the program. TeTe Maggett, Megan Talbot affected our off-seaSCHEDULE and dual-sport athlete Lexi Wallen have all son and preseason graduated and moved on from Illinois State. practice opportuni- Nov. 25 at Northern Illinois The three alumnae accounted for half of the ties, but we have really Nov. 28 at Tulsa* team’s points production during the previous gotten the most out of season. The landscape of the team is anticithe time we’ve spent Dec. 2 Dayton pated to be much different for the upcoming together,” Crompton Dec. 6 Saint Xavier* season. said. “There is a lot of Dec. 13 at Western Illinois Kate Bullman Jasmine Gillespie believes that senior Juliunn Red- DeAnna Wilson great positive energy Dec. 20 Saint Louis McGinnis-Taylor mond will step in to fill some of the gaps left at practice, especially Dec. 31 Northern Iowa Bullman attended Grayslake Central High School, from those seniors. The reigning Missouri knowing that we get to Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year aver- where she earned three Daily Herald All-Area honors start games in a couple Jan. 2 Drake aged 11.1 points per game in her Redbird debut and captain of the All-Area Team. In her senior year, of weeks. Everyone is Jan. 8 at Missouri State season. Redmond is expected to lead a talented Bullman averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds per eager to get back on Jan. 10 at Southern Illinois group of upperclassmen to help guide the pro- game and averaged a double-double two consecutive the court and compete Jan. 15 Evansville seasons. She’s Grayslake Central’s all-time leader in gram’s success. against another team.” Jan. 17 Indiana State “JuJu [Juliunn Redmond] will probably be at the rebounds and blocks and finished top five in points, Redmond led the face of our program right now — that lead scorer,” steals and assists. Bullman is a two-way player who Redbirds in scoring Jan. 22 Bradley Gillespie stated. “I thought that Paige Saylor scored brings height, scoring ability and leadership well in 2020 and will look Jan. 29 at Loyola-Chicago the ball really well down the stretch. She has to do suited for Gillespie’s team. to do the same this Jan. 31 at Valparaiso Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor is a 6-foot-3 forward that for us. Mary Crompton is one of the better season. The transfer’s Feb. 5 Southern Illinois shooters in the league. Mary has gotten much and freshman out of Westside High school from experience and leadFeb. 7 Missouri State better; she was good last year, and she has added a Omaha, Neb. McGinnis-Taylor averaged 15 points ership abilities will be Feb. 12 at Indiana State and 10.9 rebounds during her senior year. She lot to her game.” fundamental in the made the 2020 Super-State Third team, All-State team’s performance. Feb. 14 at Evansville Second team and is Westside’s single-season record Gillespie’s eye for new talent Redmond — once Feb. 19 at Bradley Gillespie is known for having a keen eye for holder in rebounds and second all-time in rebounds. being in the position Feb. 26 Valparaiso scouting talented transfer players. It has helped McGinnis-Taylor will add to the list of many recruits herself — is looking to Feb. 28 Loyola-Chicago the program bring in players with experience that from Nebraska, comparable to former Redbird and the underclassmen to March 4 at Drake Nebraska native Simone Goods.

McGinnis-Taylor have a quicker impact on team chemistry and bring great potential to will come up big in the paint as far as scoring and efficiency to win games. This year, the Redbirds the court for the Red- March 6 at Northern Iowa welcome more freshmen and lowerclassmen faces getting the ball for the Redbirds.

Home game in red birds this season. than transfers this year, hoping the new, talented Key returners “We’re younger and *Not confirmed blood will help fill the gaps left by the departure Returning players are adjusting to the new have more athleticism, of key senior players. There are three new signees schedule and precautions after having their but the newcomers can still step up to make big to look out for who could push the development season cut short due to the ongoing pandemic. plays like veterans and hold their own,” Redmond of winning culture for the program.

The Redbirds were primed for the Hoops in the said.

DeAnna Wilson is a 6-foot-2 forward and Saylor has been a consistently strong piece for the Heartland at the time of the shutdown, and sophomore from St. Louis. Wilson previhad their sights set on the Missouri Valley Redbirds’ defense. With the senior guard stepping ously attended Moberly Area Community Conference title. Returning players who into a more offensive role last season, the program College. As a freshman, she led the Lady were instrumental in the Redbirds’ suc- was looking to do big things in the 2020 campaign.

Greyhounds to a NJCAA National Tourcessful 2020 campaign were redshirt In her last year as a Redbird, Saylor is ready to elenament. Wilson averaged 15.6 points sophomore Crompton and seniors vate the team to those goals this season. per game, 53% from the field and 9.7 “The goal has always been to win the league, and Saylor and Redmond. Crompton, the rebounds. With her ability to score fourth leading scorer and three-point we went into conference thinking we really could and play well defensively, Wilson leader of last season’s team, said win it last year before COVID hit,” Saylor said. can deliver for the Redbirds on “We didn’t get that opportunity, so I guess my despite the challenges of the panboth ends of the court. main focus for this year is cherish every chance I demic, the team is thrilled to be back Kate Bullman is a 6-foot-2 forget. I want to live in each moment and control the on the court building chemistry. ward and freshman from Grayslake. things that I can.”

Juliunn Redmond

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’BIRDS TO KNOW

fter sitting out for a year due to transfer requirements, junior guard Terrion Moore is expected to make an immediate impact to the team upon arrival.

Moore was a part of the team throughout the 2019-2020 season and figures to play a key role after the departure of the graduated TeTe Maggett.

Head coach Kristen Gillespie has high expectations for Moore, with eyes possibly set on an MVC Newcomer of the Year title.

“Terrion Moore, who sat out [due to transfer requirements], our transfer from Little Rock, has a chance to

be a really dynamic guard,” Gillespie said.

I think DeAnna [Wilson] and Terrion are going to be our two front-runners, it’s hard Terrion Moore to say right now. They both are going to have opportunities to perform in that Newcomer of the Year role for us.”

Forward Lexy Koudelka is assumed to play a pivotal role for the Redbirds alongside Wilson.

The tandem is set to replace Lexi Wallen and Megan Talbot, who pro-

vided problems for opposing frontcourts last season.

Koudelka averaged 4.6 points per game on 54% shooting from the field.

Lexy Koudelka The junior also scored in double digits coming off the bench for the Redbirds last season, reaching a season high of 21 against North Dakota.

In a return unlike any of her teammates, redshirt sophomore Ally Gietzel returns to the Redbirds after tearing her ACL for the second time in spring 2019.

“Ally hasn’t played in a year and a half.

That doesn’t just magically come back.

She is going to be relied on, she is one Ally Gietzel of our better defenders, but it’s going to take Ally a little bit of time to get that basketball rust off of her,” Gillespie said.

Last playing in her freshman year, Gietzel played in 16 contests and averaged 6.5 minutes. Her career best is nine points and she added seven rebounds plus two steals in a game against Valparaiso.

llinois State University women’s basketball team made quite the statement last season. The Redbirds went 19-10, beat a nationally ranked opponent for the first time in 28 years and had high hopes for a Missouri Valley Conference championship as they prepared for the tournament. But sadly, COVID-19 got in the way. The tournament was canceled, and the Redbirds’ season was cut short.

Three years ago, the program barely cracked double-digit wins and were in tremendous need of an overhaul. Then, in the 20192020 season, the offensive force in the team’s leading scorers Juliunn “Juju” Redmond, TeTe Maggett and Lexi Wallen along with head coach Kristen Gillespie’s acuity for talent and leadership made the Redbirds an elite contender in the MVC. Gillespie talked about the team having major goals of being the top midmajor programs in the country.

Honestly, it was upsetting to see a program that has come a long way under Gillespie not get the chance to show the conference what a force they were in the post season. The team had strong chemistry, confidence and determination. The Redbirds were as eager as they had ever been, and I was here for it.

That still doesn’t mean this can’t happen again. But the Redbirds will have to rebuild that chemistry with the new faces on the team and adjust to the departure of Maggett, Wallen and Megan Talbot, the senior leadership on the team.

Seniors Redmond, now the leading scorer, and Paige Saylor will have to lead the way for the squad.

But they definitely won’t get it all done themselves. Sophomore and forward DeAnna Wilson is likely to show promise and fit well with the Redbirds. At the end of her tenure at Moberly Area Community College, Wilson averaged 16 points and nine rebounds per game and was ranked in the top 15 in the nation in games played and started, free throws made, offensive rebounds, and total rebounds. She can get the job done on both ends of the floor, which will come in clutch for this Redbird team.

I’m also looking forward to another sophomore, Mary Crompton, the fourth leading scorer of last season’s team and the three-pointer machine to show growth and shine as well. She set a freshman record for points behind the arc and picked up 21 steals on the year.

I’m remaining hopeful the Redbirds can inch closer to their MVC title goal. Gillespie has built a culture of togetherness and a strong work ethic that has made the program the elite contender in the Valley. The team awaits a non-conference schedule to be announced. As of right now, the team has a conference schedule and was 11-7 against MVC teams versus 8-3 against non-conference teams last season. If the Redbirds aim to mirror last season’s accomplishments, they will have to play well together and come out with the work ethic, passion and enthusiasm as last season to win more conference games and continue getting big wins against non-conference teams.

Viewpoint

PAGE 6| THE VIDETTE

VIDETTE EDITORIAL

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

Pritzker sucks, but not as much as COVID-19

I

n the midst of a deadly pandemic, Gov. JB Pritzker saved countless lives by enacting a state stay-at-home order in March. The order may cost him the next election.

Citizens across the state are publicly voicing their animosity toward Pritzker’s safety measures this year.

Across McLean County and several other Illinois counties, residents display yard signs that read “Pritzker Sucks” in big bold letters. Some signs add an additional line: “Pritzker Sucks the Life out of Illinois Small Businesses.”

The slew of anti-Pritzker yard signs seems most prevalent in rural Illinois, where people rely on small family-owned businesses for most of their goods and services.

While the concern for the upkeep of small businesses in Illinois is a legitimate one, the people of Illinois should recognize the swift action Pritzker took in March and continues to take right now.

Several other states suffered from large outbreaks in the spring because their governors refused to shut down businesses and schools.

Illinois did not go through the same turmoil that

states like South Carolina, Florida and Georgia did.

Now that COVID-19 cases are rising quickly in Illinois, it seems likely that Pritzker will enact another state shutdown to slow the spread of the virus between residents.

This will not be fantastic for the economy, but Pritzker knows that. His family possesses billions of dollars in assets that must be managed interpretatively. If Pritzker specializes in anything, it is money.

Illinois residents need to look at a possible statewide stay-at-home order from a new perspective. Shutdowns may

suck the life out of small businesses, but COVID-19 sucks the life out of real people.

As a capitalist country, the United States has a long history of valuing profitable economic decisions over decisions that benefit the people. For example, the government does not regulate pharmaceutical companies that raise prices on cheaply manufactured medications like insulin that many people need to survive.

Citizens of this country have grown up with and internalized the same priorities that the government has. The economy is often prioritized over governmental social programs.

While a booming economy is important to our success as a nation, the lives of citizens should be more important.

Without healthy and happy citizens, the country will suffer.

A statewide shutdown may lead to financial hardships for some small business owners, but government-issued stimulus checks can lessen that burden.

For a governor in his first term, Pritzker is doing the best he can with the resources the state has. He may not have spent so much money on campaign ads in 2018 if he had known a pandemic like this was coming.

Pritzker continues to make important decisions that value people over profit, which is unexpected considering his upper-class background. He should be positively recognized for it.

Residents of Bloomington-Normal and the rest of the state should consider what is more important to them: the lives of the people they love or the success of the ideological economy?

Perhaps a new sign could be proposed that reads “Pritzker Sucks the Deadliness out of COVID-19.”

It’s not as punchy, but it describes the situation better.

Editorial Cartoon by Flynn Geraghty | Vidette Art Director

EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by MAIA HUDDLESTON, a member of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Editorial policy is determined by the student editor, and views expressed in editorials are those of the majority of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Columns that carry bylines are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Vidette or the university.

Protect what you’re thankful for this year

hat are you thankful for?” is a question that crops up this time of year. I’m curious to know if that question will be answered cynically or not given the circumstances.

After asking some staff members at The Vidette, I found the answers fell into a couple categories. After a long, thoughtful silence as everyone remembered the 11 months past, they scrounged around in their memories for something they could be thankful for.

You have the classics: Family, friends, seeing the family dog while traveling home.

There were some new editions, “I’m thankful

for not getting COVID-19,” though not every student can claim that. A few said they were thankful to be on campus, back with their friends even if that looks different than years past.

Of course, some answers were a bit predictable: The politically astute among us said they were pleased with the election results, and grateful to have that behind them. A sports editor said he was thankful for the return of sports after a long drought, along with the added caveats of being thankful for family.

What am I thankful for? I’m not sure my answer would be much different from everyone else’s. Naturally, I’m thankful for my family, for my pets and for my health.

I’m thankful to have the ability to finish out college and be here at The Vidette, even in its limited capacity.

I guess, most of all I’m thankful to have made it to another Thanksgiving. I love it, it’s been my favorite holiday ever since I was 12 years old traveling to my grandparents’ house at 7 a.m. to get the turkey together for dinner that afternoon. It holds a special place in my heart, and this year it occupies a certain

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amount of anxiety in my brain.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times: COVID-19 has poisoned my brain. I can’t watch television without seeing how close people get to one another and staring in amazement. Wow, those sitcom stars must have no idea how many microscopic particles are flying out of their mouth right now. Look at that! They just touched each other’s hands! And now they are touching something else! And they didn’t even wash their hands!

Even some of the things I most enjoy have suffered at the hands of COVID-19’s relentless destruction. As I type this between lotioning my cracked hands from too much sanitizing and cleaning, I feel Thanksgiving looming over me.

I am doing my best to be careful, but sometimes I wonder if that still isn’t enough.

We live in a time right now where I know, deep down, it’s not a great idea to go home for the holiday. And yet, at the same time, I can’t imagine not going. I mean, I go to work, I go to the grocery store and I’m always taking the right precautions. So, I should be OK, right? If I can go to those places, why can’t I

ELIZABETH SEILS is Editor in Chief of the Vidette. She can be reached at elseils@ilstu. edu. Follow her on Twitter at @SeilsElizabeth.

THEY SAID IT

? 13.7%

positivity rate in McLean County.

Currently indoor dining in restaurants and bars are not allowed. Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner is expected to call a meeting of the liquor commission to enact punishments for businesses not following regulations.

50

go home?

For all my fellow students out there, I hope you make the smart decision. I won’t tell anyone that they can’t go see family in the middle of a mentally and emotionally trying time. I know how helpful that can be to some.

I know right now that normalcy is something we’re all craving, even in the small doses of it we can get. You have to weigh the mental benefits against the physical costs.

I’m spending the holiday with my family, but I’m getting tested first. I’ve tried my best to only go out for essentials in the past couple weeks. To me, that feels safe enough. If you’ve been going out in the past two weeks, or you haven’t gotten tested, please consider whether or not you should really go home. Think of who you’ll see, and what you’ll do. Think of your parents and your siblings, because this doesn’t just affect our older population anymore.

Remember what you’re thankful for and do your best to protect it.

NEWS PAGE 2

million Americans are estimated to travel for Thanksgiving in 2020, according to American Automobile Association. About 49.3 million are estimated to travel by automobile more than 50 miles away from their home.

“

“Even though the customers are supporting as much as they can, I feel bad that I would have to charge them way too much than being able to come and sit and enjoy the experience of being in a restaurant.”

Charbel Saliba, co-owner of The Rock Restaurant

EDITORIAL BOARD ELIZABETH SEILS Editor in Chief | @SeilsElizabeth ANDREA RICKER Features Editor @ricker_andrea GRACE KINNICUTT News Editor @GKinnicutt KATIE BESTE Night Editor @BesteKatherine

MAIA HUDDLESTON Photo Editor @maiawrites MYA ROBINSON Sports Reporter @Im_Myaaa JOHN MURRAY News Reporter @Jmurr_

Features

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

THE VIDETTE | PAGE 7

A holiday season like no other

ISU’s Holiday Helper program provides gifts to community

new option for curbside pickup this year as well.

“During the week of Nov. 16 through 20, we will be hosting our drop-off days. During the times of 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., CHELSEA CORA 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 News Reporter | @cora_chelsea p.m. any sponsors can drop off their gifts to the Center for Comvery year, Illinois State Univermunity Engagement and Service sity puts on its Holiday Helper Learning,” Canedy said. program. The Holiday Helper Once the sponsor arrives at the program started in 1998 with the building, there will be a sign with Dean of Students Office. a phone number on it that says to The Holiday Helper organization is text their name, child’s name and meant to provide Christmas gifts to ID number and the color of the children with money and donations. vehicle they have arrived in.

Every year, the organization provides Then, an “elf” will be out shortly gifts for hundreds of local children in to help them. The program is ofthe Bloomington-Normal community. fering this to help with the anxiety “This program helps five differof dropping gifts off as well as ent organizations in the community safety concerns from COVID-19. through gift sponsorship. Each orgaTo limit the number of indinization has provided us with kids’ viduals in the center’s small area, wants and needs in the community,” they ask that sponsors only drop Holiday Helper Coordinator Blair off gifts during the designated Canedy said. times and that they remain out“From those lists, faculty, staff and side of the building.

Alex Gant | Photo Editor @AlexGant16 students are able to sponsor a child “Traditionally, we host several Annie Weaver and Blair Canedy adapt to COVID-19 guidelines to still spread holiday cheer and help the community. to provide them gifts for the holiday Wrap and Pack parties preceding season.” the Holiday parties we throw for The gifts that are bought and donated go to a variety of Many families cannot provide their the individual organizations,” Canedy said. different organizations including Boys and Girls Club of children with gifts for the holiday and these may be the only “Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unBloomington-Normal, Center for Youth and Family Solutions, gifts they receive during the Christmas season. fortunately not able to host any parties at the organizations as Unity Community Center, Marcfirst and Western Avenue Each of the five organizations work with different populawell as now we are only offering one day of wrapping.”

Community Center After School Program at Eastview Christions of students. Some of them work with children with disThis year, Holiday Helpers will be hosting their Wrap and tian Church. abilities, while others work with foster children.

Pack party on Nov. 23. Any faculty, staff and students can The Amazon wish list that is available this year will be go“This year, we are also partnering with the Baby Fold’s participate or sign up for a two-hour time slot where they will ing to the Baby Fold. These organizations then disperse each Amazon wish list. These items are items they need all the have their own station setup to wrap gifts. gift to the correct families. time and so we are having this option available for those who Each shift or two hours is capped off at 20 participants.

Due to COVID-19, there are some things that have changed cannot commit to a full child or if they are not on campus this Each station will also be sanitized between the two-hour with the way the program is being run this year. There is a fall,” Canedy said. shifts. Anyone can sign up or find the shift times online.

E

THANKSGIVING Continued from Page 1

The best way to celebrate, if friends decide to meet in person, is to wear a mask, especially trying to keep 6 feet apart from others to help reduce the risk of COVID-19. It is also important to continue washing your hands when touching unfamiliar items.

Plenty of students will be heading home for Thanksgiving break.

This week, students attending or hosting Thanksgiving should be cautious and still follow the protocols so no one at home is going to be at risk.

Students attending a gathering indoors who want to keep gatherings safer can supply their own food, drinks, plates, cups and utensils to the event.

“Me and five friends are all getting together to cook and eat just before we leave,” anthropology major Sarah Patterson said.

“We’ve agreed to see only each other until then and will hopefully find a way to make a table in our small apartment.”

The precautions to take for indoor dining include limiting the number of guests, making sure guests are all on the same page with plans of celebrating and if sharing food, bring plastic utensils to limit the spread of germs.

“I think folks can still have a special Friendsgiving with their closest friends. It may not be a big, festive party but friends have been the most important support systems throughout COVID and there’s a lot to be thankful for,” junior Dylan Toth said.

“I would encourage folks to get together with their closest friends and have a small Friendsgiving.”

If students are planning on hosting Friendsgiving, the sanitary route would be to disinfect the whole area of the house or apartment and continue to do so. If there is an option to sit

outdoors, a plan to eat outside could be arranged by a fireplace or outdoor heaters.

For people doing the online route, there are still plenty of ways to be able to celebrate Friendsgiving. Being able to gather through online connections is still valued time for conversations and to eat whatever is preferred.

Still being able to play certain games online, having watch parties over Netflix or other streaming platforms and catching up with friends is what Friendsgiving is all about.

Just because it is online should not take away from the celebration. It keeps friends safe without having to worry about all the guidelines to follow when people are in the comfort of their own space.

There are pros and cons to both in-person and online celebrations of Friendsgiving this year.

“My friends and I have been trying to plan to get together but it’s just been difficult this year with everyone’s different schedules,” junior Public Relations major Katie Rembert said.

“We’re also all going home soon to see our families so we decided on doing a Zoom call to try to eat and play games even though it can’t be in person.”

There are plenty of low-risk ideas to keep students safe, so when they go home for the holidays, the spread of COVID-19 will not become an issue especially on Thanksgiving Day. Try to continue sharing recipes with friends and family through a virtual dinner or by watching sporting events, parades and movies from home.

If planning to shop, do it online rather than in person the day after Thanksgiving so there is continued use of social distancing while into the holiday season.

Students have a lot on their plate ERIC SCHWEIZER Features Reporter | @EricSchweizer2

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ext week is Thanksgiving and many of the students living on and off campus will be heading back home for break.

Thanksgiving is a time for being thankful for what you have as well as celebrating with your loved ones. It is a time for gathering and spreading joy.

However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many students will not be going to their normal Thanksgiving celebrations. Usually many students would go to a bigger family gathering and get to see a lot of their relatives. Instead, this year most will be spending their Thanksgiving with their immediate family members.

“I plan on heading to my hometown and celebrating Thanksgiving with my parents and older sister,” junior Daniel Devine said.

For some, they do not have very big families which makes celebrating the holiday much safer.

Many students at Illinois State University Grace Kinnicutt | News Editor @GKinnicutt are happy that they get to spend time with Friendsgiving celebrations this year will require a lot of safety loved ones but wish that they could see more precautions, but it is still possible to have fun. One idea is to of their family. bring your own plates and silverware to the big meal.

“I will not be able to see all my family members due to COVID-19. I can still be with my “I am concerned for others because I was exposed immediate family but not my cousins, aunts or to COVID-19 and exposed my family and some got uncles this year,” Devine said.

COVID from me,” Frietsch said.

Students are disappointed that they are unable to The typical feasts will continue, but this year it is go to these bigger family gatherings, but they underespecially important to stay safe over the holidays. stand that with the rapid spread of the virus that the People can still enjoy the holidays, but they will just health and safety of their loved ones matter. be a little different this year.

“I wish that everyone gets tested before going Thanksgiving is a reminder to stop and think home for the safety of their own families,” sophoabout all the good things that we have in our lives. more Ally Frietsch said.

For many at ISU, this is a really important aspect.

Some students know how quickly the virus can “Thanksgiving is a time of being with family spread from past experiences, which is why many are and being thankful for what we have in our life,” consciously aware that they need to be careful and Devine said. maintain social distancing, though it may not be fun.

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PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE

Sports

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

Working hard for ‘something special’

Huggins grinds despite tough conditions KEVIN KOSKI Sports Reporter | @_koski_

A

fter a historic season in 2019, advancing to the regional final and finishing the season with 36 wins, the Illinois State University baseball team set a new precedent that it hoped to keep improving upon.

Last year, the Redbirds never got a chance to follow up due to the cancellation of spring sports because of COVID-19. Aidan Huggins was still an underclassman during the 2019 season, now — a redshirt senior — he hopes to help lead the Redbirds back to postseason success.

“I think we are in a really special situation,” Huggins said. “We’ve been working very hard and I am very excited to see what we can do in the spring.”

A native of Edmonton, Canada, Huggins grew up expecting to play hockey, but in the ninth grade he made the decision to dedicate himself to baseball with goals of playing in college. However, being from Canada, the process was different from his American peers.

“We don’t actually play for our actual high school,” Huggins said, “so a lot of guys will go off and play in academies and things like that, so I played for Prospect Baseball Academy in Alberta.”

Another difference is the factor the winter weather plays in the structure of the competitive season.

“We had to play a lot of our games over a long period of time,” Huggins said. “We would play starting in September, have an early fall, play for maybe a month or two and then immediately we’d have to go back inside because right around October or early November is where we get a lot of snow. From that point on there it will be snow until — at least where I’m from — until sometimes late April.”

Huggins’ big break came when he was selected for Tournament 12, a national amateur baseball tournament with the goal of exposing players to pro and college scouts. After the tournament he started receiving recruitment

Illinois State University senior Aidan Huggins throwing the ball to first base during a Redbird practice. offers.

Huggins attended Cisco Junior College for one year, utilizing his redshirt season before transferring to Cloud County Community College a NJCAA Division I program. Huggins played short stop for the T-Birds before being noticed by a newly hired coach Steve Holm at ISU. “When I took the job it was basically — give or take — July 1 the summer of ’18 … they handed me the roster and said the short stop that was on the team went in the third round and the [recruit] coming in to be the short stop got out of his NLI and is no longer signed to come here so just FYI you don’t have a short stop,” Holm recalled. “We started scrambling … what about this guy? What about that guy?

Finally, we got some video of a guy playing shortstop at a junior college that was from Canada and we thought the video looked all right so we started doing some check in and talked to the coach and at that point I flew up to Canada to see him.”

Since joining the Redbirds, Huggins has been a versatile resource and big part of the team’s success. His first season here, that

historic 2019 season, he appeared and started in all but one game, slashed .246/.339/.329 and tallied eight doubles, three home runs, 27 RBIs and 39 runs.

Following the success of that season, Huggins and the rest of the Redbirds wanted to keep the momentum going into the 2020 season, and despite a slow start they showed their potential with a victory against the then13th-ranked Arkansas before getting the news the remainder of the spring season was canceled.

“I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it,” Huggins said. “We were in Florida, actually, we were getting ready to play on Friday because when our season actually got canceled it was on Thursday.”

“It was tough on a lot of guys because you took baseball away from them, you took school away from them, you took the social life away from them, stuff like that,” Holm said.

For Huggins, the March cancellation of baseball and school meant he had to go back home to Canada. “[Huggins] did a good job of staying in shape while he couldn’t play,” Holm said. “I mean he

went back to Edmonton, Canada, in March.

That’s not exactly San Diego at that time of year so he had to find places to do stuff and when he got back here had to play himself back into shape I would imagine.”

During his time back home, Huggins made the best of his situation and proved his commitment to improving by doing what he could to continue training with the resources he had.

“There was snow on the ground I knew I couldn’t obviously field ground balls or throw outside in the cold,” Huggins said. “I have a tee in my garage and a little net so I would go inside my garage and hit. Then when the weather started getting nicer, I was able to move outside a little bit and play catch — I have a couple of friends that were back home so I would play catch with them. I had weights at my house so I’d just get little at-home workouts in, do whatever I could, go on runs, stuff like that.”

Now back on campus, Huggins and the rest of the Redbirds are eager for the upcoming season and hope to not only improve upon the successes of the 2019 season but also make up for the lost 2020 season.

Late starter turns into ‘fierce competitor’ MIKEY FORNELLI Sports Reporter | @mfojr

with the Redbird team, preparing for a season unlike any other.

“It’s been great,” Wilson said.

“We’ve been competing against each othing about DeAnna Wilson other, making each other better. gives away that she has been We’re learning new things, but also only playing basketball for six really just merging together as a years. team.”

The new Illinois State University Still a younger player, Wilson has forward started playing basketball in also found role models within the team eighth grade in her hometown of St. who are helping her build skill and Louis and has utilized a strong ability confidence in her position. to learn to get to where she is today.

“Lexy [Koudelka] is older than me “I had always grown up around and the same position, a post, so she basketball from watching my brothunderstands and helps me with the ers,” Wilson said. “Starting late was defensive concepts,” Wilson said, weird, but it didn’t have an effect on “JuJu [Juliunn Redmond] is a guard, me because I was willing to learn.”

Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics but she’s helped me understand some Wilson, who transferred to ISU this year after one season at Moberly DeAnna Wilson running drills against a team manager at practice during of the coach’s philosophies.”

Personally, Wilson said her goal Area Community College in Missouri, the offseason. After transferring from Moberly Area Community College, Wilson will begin her first season as a Redbird. for the 2021 year is to be the fourth is already receiving praise from head Redbird in a row to win the Missouri coach Kristen Gillespie before any Valley Conference’s Newcomer of the Year award, an honor previously games have been played.

“DeAnna is a fierce competitor who has had an immediate impact on our awarded to Simone Goods in 2018, TeTe Maggett in 2019 and Juliunn program,” Gillespie said. “She has the ability to score in a variety of ways Redmond in 2020.

“Coach Gillespie has had a good track record,” Wilson said. “She’s had a and adds another dimension to our front court.”

At Moberly, Wilson was a standout. She had 19 double-doubles, featuring few Newcomers of the Year in recent years. I like to go and get stuff. I want an average 15.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. She was named a Divi- to help the program, and I want to help coach G.” “She’s made the transition to D-I basketball and fits right in with our style sion I NJCAA All-American and was an essential member of a 29-4 Moberly team that qualified for the national championship tournament before it was of play,” Gillespie said. “I can’t wait to see all she accomplishes in this season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the season, a transfer and in years to come.”

Wilson’s desire to always be better and ability to learn from others has to ISU stood out as her next step.

“I had other schools recruit me, but it was the bond I had with the [ISU] helped her all the way, from starting organized basketball in middle school coaches that stood out,” Wilson said, “I could talk to them about more than to continuing a Division I career this season with the Redbirds.

Just like she has the last six years, DeAnna Wilson is ready to make an basketball. How I was doing, how my family was doing. Just about life.”

Now well underway with pre-season practice, Wilson is enjoying working impact.

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Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics

STEP FORWARD Continued from Page 4

We saw last season how a Redbird team in nearly the same situation struggled to come together and play as one.

But ISU cannot afford to have those same issues this year with a young roster on less prep than last season.

This team is likely going to struggle much more than last year’s team with less practice time and no preseason exhibition games. And with no clear lead scorer, ISU will have to mature and will have to do it rather quickly.

Out of the gate, expect the Redbirds to struggle and struggle hard. Last year, Copeland’s red-hot start helped the Redbirds to a quick start. But without Copeland, Fisher or any other veteran presence, be prepared to watch ISU struggle in early season contests as young players get comfortable with the system and players are able to knock off rust.

Without a leader, this could be a long and tough season for the Redbirds. But when — and more likely if — ISU finds a leader, the Redbirds can make a solid run in the MVC. JAKE SERMERSHEIM is a Sports Editor for The Vidette. He can be contacted at vidette_jrserme@ilstu.edu.

Follow Sermersheim on Twitter at @ JakeSermersheim.