11 27 17

V

NEWS 3

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE MOVING TO EASTLAND MALL FEATURES 6

ISU’S COLLEGE DIABETES NETWORK RAISES AWARENESS

THE VIDETTE

SPORTS 8

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LEAPS AHEAD OF KANGAROOS IN SUNDAY MATINEE

VIEWPOINT/BISS 4

GRAD STUDENTS SHOULD UNIONIZE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

videtteonline.com

Vol. 130 / No. 27

Three Redbird football assistant coaches let go MIKE MARRA Sports Editor | @MikeMarraILSTU

Just two days after North Dakota State ended Illinois State’s season, the wheels of change are turning in the Kaufman Football Building.

Head coach Brock Spack announced on Nov. 20 co-offensive coordinators Billy Dicken and Dan Clark will not return next season, along with wide receiver assistant coach Kane Keirnan.

“The production on the offensive side of the ball the past two seasons has not met our expectations here at Illinois State,” Spack said. “We thank [Dicken], [Clark] and [Keirnan] for their dedication to the program in

their times here and for their commitment to our student-athletes. We wish them all luck in their future endeavors moving forward.”

After the Nov. 18 loss to NDSU, Spack also Billy Dicken Dan Clark hinted the offense was inconsistent all season and one of the reasons why the team did not win more games and earn a playoff berth.

Dicken just finished his fourth season as an assistant coach for ISU and second as co-offensive coordinator, while

also overseeing the quarterbacks. Dicken was also the quarterback at Purdue during Spack’s tenure as defensive coordinator.

Clark was in his second season as co-offensive coordinator and fifth at Illinois State. Clark also worked with the running backs and offensive line.

Keirnan just concluded his fourth Kane Keirnan season with Illinois State and his second overseeing the wide receivers. Keirnan was a player and player coach for ISU before spending two seasons at New Mexico, where he worked with the Lobos tight ends and wide receivers before returning to ISU. Spack had no further comments regarding the decision.

Men’s basketball looks to rebound

NEWS IN BRIEF Bloomington ranks as heaviest drinking metro area in Illinois A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found Bloomington is the heaviest drinking metro area in the state.

The city has a 21.5 percent excessive drinking rate, and USA Today reports unhealthy alcohol consumption is more common among better-educated populations. Around 42.4 percent of adults in Bloomington have a four-year college degree. The statewide college attainment rate is 34 percent and the nationwide rate is 31.3 percent, according to USA Today.

Alcohol-related driving deaths total 35.1 percent.

Excessive alcohol consumption, according to the CDC, includes binge drinking, defined as four or more drinks in a single occasion for women and five or more for men, and heavy drinking, defined as at least eight drinks per week for women and 15 for men.

Around 18 percent of American adults drink excessively.

Full list of heaviest drinking cities available on videtteonline.com

ISU in top 100 schools to win Steve Aoki visit

Monica Mendoza | Vidette Photo Editor

Junior forward Milik Yarbrough (52) attacks the paint during Saturday’s overtime home game against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers. The game ended in a 64-62 loss for the Redbirds, which are 3-3 so far in the season. They face the University of Nevada in the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge at 9 p.m. Wednesday in Reno, Nevada.

Illinois State University students are one step closer to receiving a visit from musician Steve Aoki and winning a $10,000 David B. Goldberg Music Grant.

As part of the Chegg Music 101 contest, Aoki will perform and host a Q&A session at one college campus.

Aoki is an electro house musician, record producer and DJ. Chegg will also award the winning school’s music department the $10,000 David B. Goldberg Music Grant.

The contest deadline is Tuesday. People can vote on chegg. com/play/entertainment/music/ music-101-steve-aoki-top-100-votegetting-schools.

BRIEFS BY EMA SASIC | EDITOR IN CHIEF

PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE

STAFF LIST Editor in Chief

Ema Sasic

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

OUTSIDE LOOK MONDAY

From down under to Eastland Outback Stakehouse to move from Landmark Plaza to mall by next November

News Editors

Kevin Schwaller Stephanie Rodriguez Features Editor

Emily Griffith

Sports Editors

Michael Marra Nate Head Photo Editors

Monica Mendoza Natalie Stuckslager

High Low Precip

58 45 10%

TUESDAY

Night Editors

Brigid Ackerman Haley Varnes Social Media Manager

Maddy Wierus Art Directors

Lee Walls Phabian Clark Ad Sales Manager

Jonathon Higgs

High Low Precip

56 33 60%

WEDNESDAY

Ad Production Manager

Photos by Ali Rasper | Vidette Photographer

ABOVE: Eastland Mall in Bloomington recently lost two major retailers, Macy’s and JCPenney, due to the companies closing stores nationwide.

RIGHT: An Outback Stakehouse in Crystal Lake.

Evan Morris

Business Manager

Zach Oldenburg

Office Manager

Madillon Kenney

Marketing Team Manager

Brittany Olson

Business Adviser

Madeline Smith

49 Low 39 Precip 0% High

THURSDAY

General Manager

John Plevka

DIRECTORY EDITOR 309.438.8745 ADVERTISING 309.438.8742 BUSINESS 309.438.5929

High Low Precip

47 27 50%

FRIDAY

CLASSIFIEDS 309.438.7685 NEWS 309.438.2882 FEATURES 309.438.8746 SPORTS 309.438.3723

High Low Precip

47 31 10%

SATURDAY

FACSIMILE 309.438.5211

FOLLOW US Twitter @The_Vidette Facebook @The-Vidette

50 35 Precip 0% High Low

SUNDAY

The Outback Steakhouse currently located at the Landmark Plaza shopping center will be relocated to the former Macy’s parking lot at Eastland Mall with the hope that it can open its doors

by Thanksgiving of next year.

The company that owns the real estate on Eastland Mall, CBL Properties, has been attempting to redevelop the mall after the closure of large tenants such as Macy’s, JCPenney and Gap. The Bloomington Planning Commission unanimously recommended the restaurant site plan to the Bloomington City Council who will vote on the plan Dec. 11.

The move was disclosed by Senior Project Manager Jeff Allen at the Bloomington City Planning meeting on Nov. 8. during which he said did not know why the restaurant was moving.

“We do have a good relationship with Outback. We have other lease agreements on other properties with them,” Allen said during the meeting.

As outlined by the site plan submitted to the city’s community development department, any new

building is labeled as a standalone restaurant pad in the northeast corner of the mall property. The former Macy’s site would potentially be to the west and the Sears Automotive Center to the south of the site.

CBL Properties will retain ownership of the land while Outback Steakhouse will construct and lease the building under the landlease agreement signed by the companies.

Outback Steakhouse opened the current site in 1998 and employs around 70 people.

“The city’s zoning ordinance requires a site plan review for the properties in a C3 zoning district, which is for community and regional shopping centers,” Bloomington City Planner Katie Simpson said.

As part of the mall’s redevelopment, Eastland Mall shows on its website that Planet Fitness plans to occupy 20,119 square feet of the 71,000-square foot former JCPenney store.

“I think this is a smart move on Outback’s part, given that it appears that the restaurant will have a better location to bring in customers,” Richard Greenfield, secretary of governmental

The Vidette

Instagram @the_vidette YouTube @videttevideo

ANDREW DOUGHTERY Political Reporter | @addough

52 Low 44 Precip 0% High

The Vidette is published Monday and Thursday every week, except for final examinations, holidays, and semester breaks. The 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 2017 University & Locust / Campus Box 0890 / Normal, IL 61761–0890

relations for Student Government Association, said.

“It’s unfortunate that some major tenants have closed in recent years, but I think the City of Bloomington and its partners are doing a great job of redeveloping the area.”

Many see the move as an investment in the city.

“I think it’s fantastic that longtime restaurant Outback Steakhouse wants to invest further in the City of Bloomington by constructing one of their new concept-style buildings and be part of the wonderful new developments

that will be occurring soon at Eastland Mall,” Bloomington Economic Development Coordinator Austin Grammar said.

The plans for the redevelopment of the former clothing stores have been submitted to the City of Bloomington and are close to getting building permits for both the Planet Fitness and an unnamed national fashion retailer.

Andrew Dougherty is a political reporter for The Vidette. Contact him at vidette_addough@ilstu.edu.

Follow him on Twitter @addough.

THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

Bells will be ringing Salvation Army kicks off Make A Difference campaign TIFFANY MORRISON News Reporter | @MorrisonTiffany

’Tis the season for those famous red kettles located outside various local stores, raising money for the Salvation Army.

The Make A Difference campaign gathers money to provide to people in need over the holidays, but also for the year ahead. The Red Kettle campaign is part of the Make A Difference campaign.

The campaign started on Nov. 10, as the Salvation Army of McLean County’s Major Gary Felton and campaign co-chairs Bob and Julie Dobski and Lt. Edward Williams dropped coins into one of the Red Kettles.

During opening day, the Dobskis also announced the $515,000 campaign goal.

“We’re kind of being ambitious with our goal but we really need it, due to budget cuts and funding that every nonprofit has to deal with,” Angie Bubon, Salvation Army of McLean County development director, said. “We want this campaign to be successful as possible so that our programs can run year-round without interruption and this campaign will hopefully let us achieve that goal.”

Last year, the two campaigns reached almost $530,000, a record-breaking year for the nonprofit, as its goal was $490,000.

Because of last year’s success, Salvation Army of McLean County is hoping that its raised goal w ill a lso be surpassed.

The red kettles are a major part of the campaign, as they u sua l ly c ontribute to at least half of the money raised every year.

“It st a r te d with someone in Salvation Army wanting to serve a holiday meal, so they used a red kettle and

went around the neighborhood asking for donations so that they could serve meals to people who didn’t have the means for that,” Bubon said. “The campaign has a long history but still shares the same mission to raise money for people less fortunate in order to provide them with food and a safe, warm environment.”

Bell ringing is scheduled for two hour shifts at locations throughout Bloomington-Normal and is available for volunteers up until Dec. 23. In order to work the kettle alone, one must be 18 years or older. Kids are allowed to stand by the kettle with a Monica Mendoza | Photo Editor parent or family member presA red kettle located in a local Culver’s restaurant. ent with their guardian’s consent.

“When a kettle has someone standing by it, it raises about kettle are used to fund Salvation volunteers who are bell-ringing 100 percent more than a kettle Army’s programs like the food at the Jewel-Osco on Oakland without someone there would, pantry, energy assistance, fuel, Avenue in Bloomington from noon so getting involved and being a medical needs, holiday assis- to 1 p.m., who will try to raise as bell ringer is a major help for us,” tance, youth programs, shelters much as they can in an hour. Last Bubon said. and more. year, they raised $2,000.

Clubs, organizations and ser“I have been ringing a bell The organization also has its vice groups also contribute to the for the Salvation Army with my partnership with Toys for Tots, campaign by having their groups church since I was little,” former organizing and sorting incombook an entire day at one location, Heartland Community College ing toys and distributing them which is 10 a.m.-8 p.m. student Alan Cartwright said. “It’s during the holiday, as well as its “A lot of businesses take one a great time and it’s so rewarding distribution of Christmas baskets kettle all day and have their knowing I’m helping people who filled with food and the annual employees sign up for different are in need.” coat drive. time slots,” Bubon said. “It’s just Tuesday is Giving Tuesday, Those interested in participata great way to both give back to which is one of the campaign ing available at ringbells.org, or the community with family and push-days, getting individuals to one can reach out to Angie Bubon, friends to make a difference as think about giving back as they get who is in charge of the volunteers well as get involved in something done with Black Friday and Cyber for the campaign as well as countgreater than yourself.”

Monday shopping. There will be ing the money earned.

The collections raised from the

Graphic by Phabian Clark | Vidette Art Director

One Uptown on the Circle to open in December ANDREW DOUGHERTY Political Reporter | @addough

the relocation, will be used for communications offices. The City Hall annex will be used for parks and recreation storage and the dentist’s office One Uptown on the Circle, a new three-story buildspace located at 305 Linden St. will be unoccupied. ing with luxury apartments on top of second-f loor The Town of Normal is seeking to demolish town offices, a future first-f loor restaurant and the annex to make room for a new Normal Public underground parking will gradually open in the Library as part of a future Uptown South district. coming months, beginning in December.

One Uptown on the Circle is phase two of TarThe Town of Normal has lent Tartan Realty Group tan’s plans for Normal, after the company opened $2.5 million to build the new complex while selling the Hyatt Place hotel next door. the land it occupies for $1 million. The town will also Normal Council Member R.C. McBride voted to pay top of the market rent for office spaces at that approve One Uptown on the Circle last year. location for 15 years.

“The town should consider the project as a pilot Tartan is the Chicago-based company and develfor office and residential space in Uptown, includoper behind Portillo’s, The Flats, Meathead’s and ing Uptown South,” McBride said. “It eliminates other local business projects in Normal. maybe the only sore point that we’ve had throughThere are 21 rental units still open to future resiout the Uptown development to this point, and it’s dents with half currently occupied. the first domino for Uptown 2.0.”

Michelle Carrico | Vidette Photographer Rent at One Uptown on the Circle ranges from The new building will be home to apartments, a restaurant and more.

With phase two underway, the town will continue $1,650 per month for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom to work on other Uptown projects which include a unit to $4,200 for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom possible underpass at the Uptown Station, which telephone access from the main lobby, indoor heated parkpenthouse that features a private terrace. would move Amtrak passengers from the south platform ing and storage units and an on-site bike storage.

“I remember speaking to the Hyatt’s owners a few to the station.

Promotional materials for the new restaurant have months ago about their plans to build a new high-end referred to it as an “American-themed bistro”.

City officials have paid three different consultants to apartment complex in Uptown,” former Hyatt employee study the underpass, the library and Uptown South to The town plans to move inspections, planning, facilities Jessica Ley said. “It’s a little pricey but I think it’s really and engineering employees into the buildings new office make room for future development projects. neat that they’re bringing in all these new businesses to spaces. The offices will open to the public Dec. 4.

Future development plans also include new townhouses, our town.” a grocery store and a pharmacy.

Parts of Uptown Station, which will be freed up after The building also features a secured entry and secured

Illinois Shakespeare Festival announces 2018 season STAR JOHNSON News Reporter | @Star2flyy_

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival (ISF) announces three plays for the 2018 summer season, one to be staged at the Center for the Performing Arts Theatre at Illinois State University, as well as a new performance schedule format.

The season will begin on July 5 at its home theatre, the

open-air Ewing Theatre and run through Aug. 10.

Three plays will include “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” “Henry V” and “Shakespeare in Love.” Each production will open during the first three weeks of the festival, starting with “Merry Wives of Windsor” July 5 through 7, followed by “Henry V” from July 12 through 14.

Except for two performances of “Merry Wives” on July 17 and 18, a rotating repertory schedule — the tradition of ISF — will commence on July 24 and run through Aug. 10.

“I wanted to open the festival with a pure comedy, and ‘Merry Wives’ is mainly that. As for ‘Henry V,’ it is time we did one of Shakespeare’s history plays, and this is one of my favorites,” ISF Artistic Director John Stark said. “‘Merry Wives’ was last performed in 2010, and ‘Henry V’ in 2007. I wanted to continue the idea of a new or newer

play in the spirit of the Bard, and ‘Shakespeare in Love’ embodies that literally. It gives us a play that is a romance at its heart, along with a fictionalized history lesson and must laughter,” Season tickets ranging from $40 to $109 for all three plays are now available online at ISF’s website at illinoisshakes.com.

Group sales are available by calling the Box Office at the CPA at (309) 438-2535. Single tickets for individual shows will go on sale in March 2018.

Star Johnson is a news reporter for The Vidette. She can be reached at vidette_sjohns7@Exchange.ilstu.edu Follow her on Twitter at @Star2flyy_

Viewpoint

PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE

VIDETTE EDITORIAL

F

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

Net neutrality is worth saving

ree and open internet is one of the most precious resources our world has to offer.

The amount of information we have at our fingertips can be overwhelming, but the possibilities are truly endless.

This past week, the Federal Communication Commission made the first steps to repeal an Obama-era policy known as net neutrality, which keeps the internet out of the hands of greedy, near cartoonish form of evil corporations.

This prevents corporations such as Comcast from dictating the speed at which certain (frequently used) internet pages will load. The premise is that if you want faster internet for certain sites (Netflix/Facebook/ Youtube), you’d pay more to use these sites or be bogged down with borderline unusable speeds. This is an egregious, though not surprising, move from the Republican-led FCC that threatens the freedoms of all Americans, whether they realize it or not.

One of the primary arguments coming from the right in most facets of

American life is that the government is too involved in our day-to-day lives. Republicans love posting the quote from former President Ronald Reagan “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem,” in their Twitter bios. It’s no surprise that the same talking points are used on this issue as well.

The argument that repealing net neutrality is for the purpose of deregulation and would be good for competition

is asinine. It’s simply a cover for the very wealthy heads of the companies that would benefit from this deregulation. For starters, that already exists with the multiple internet providers that operate and are making gobs of money.

Simply put, the repeal of net neutrality is for the rich, not for the people. People deserve access to as much information as possible, and while it is up to them to make good use of it, the possibilities

should always be there.

The nature of rights has changed since 1776. Things that were not considered rights then have evolved into becoming basic necessities for life in 2017. Health care has been a hot button topic, but the right to information is another that has come to the forefront. Americans saw the value in information when public libraries were deemed a necessity, and in many ways, the internet is the modern version of this. The only difference is that corporate America cannot exploit public libraries as easily as it can exploit people’s addiction to social media.

Social media and streaming services are a huge part of what makes the internet great, but what cannot be lost is the fact that humans have access to any information they could possibly want in seconds. That is power, and by repealing net neutrality, the FCC wants to take the power from the people.

That’s how autocracy begins, and that is not an acceptable form of rule in any state.

Editorial Cartoon by Phabian Clark | Vidette Editorial Cartoonist

EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by ALEX GOUGH, 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.

I stand in solidarity with graduate students MY VIEW STATE SEN. DANIEL BISS (D-EVANSTON) Guest Columnist Dear Graduate Students of Illinois State University, I’m writing to offer my appreciation and support for your efforts to unionize at Illinois State University. Every worker deserves the right to form a union, and especially with attacks on organized labor from the White House and our own Governor’s Office, it’s up to all of us to carry the torch of the labor movement.

As a graduate student at MIT and then as a math professor at the Univer-

sity of Chicago, I came to understand the impossibility of balancing roles as a student and as a worker. And I’m sure many of you face these same challenges today — diving wholeheartedly into research, vibrant discussions and contemplation of your futures and fields, while also teaching classes, grading assignments and mentoring the undergraduates who rely on you for inspiration and support. Amidst all of this, so many graduate students worry about how to stretch their paychecks to cover food, housing, health care — not to mention paying off student loans or saving money in anticipation of the instability that plagues adjunct professors.

These challenges are even more pronounced for students from low-income families, for parents, for students with disabilities and for women and people of color, who often take on more than their fair share of work and rarely receive

the credit they’re due. And at public universities like yours, with destructive and short-sighted governors like ours, so many of you worry about the future of your stipends and research funding and haven’t received the support you were promised.

There is no doubt in my mind that without graduate students, our colleges and universities, both public and private, could not function — and Illinois State is no exception. And even beyond your invaluable role in our state’s education system, you, as workers, deserve workplace protections, healthcare and a living wage. I’m proud to see graduate students like you across the country standing up for these fundamental rights.

I’m writing to stand in solidarity, to share my admiration, and to express my belief that you are building something powerful. During my

time as a community organizer, state senator and Chair of the Senate Labor Committee, I’ve seen how strong our voices can be when we unite around a powerful, positive vision in the wake of attacks and in the face of uncertainty.

As you come together to form your union, you’re honoring a centurieslong tradition and securing a better future for workers in every sector. Together, I know that we can be greater than the forces that stand in our way to build an Illinois, and a nation, that works for all of us.

In solidarity, Daniel Biss Daniel Biss is a state senator representing the ninth district and a Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

He will meet with the ISU graduate student unionization campaign noon Friday at the Normal Public Library.

ONLINE POLL

Should net neutality be repealed?

?

Cast your vote at Videtteonline. com or by using The Vidette mobile app

Cultural appropriation in the rap community MY VIEW JARRIN HOWARD | Guest Columnist

W

ith Eminem and GEazy dropping albums imminently, and Post Malone’s number one hit, “Rockstar,” dominating the airwaves, this winter dawns the season of the Caucasian rapper.

It has not come without warning.

Lil Dicky released his viral smash, “Pillow Talk,” in April and has gained a significant following. Logic has led a crusade against suicide which culminated with a powerful VMA performance. Macklemore

released an album. The white rapper revolution seems to be gaining more traction in the hip-hop community, but many will dismiss its efforts as cultural appropriation.

Cultural appropriation is generally seen as the co-opting of a culture’s elements or property without permission and genuine appreciation of the culture. In this case, white rappers, who don’t identify with the struggle and oppression of being black, cannot truly appreciate hip-hop culture – which was created by black people dealing with oppression in America.

Cultural appropriation is often seen as something that should be prohibited. However, many argue it is an inevitable process that results when different groups of people come together in a society. This is not a new revelation. For years, writers for prestigious publications such as The Atlantic, The New York Times and

The Washington Post have defended cultural appropriation not only as an inevitable process but as something positive. They assert it is how we, as a society, have gained access to things like denim, pizza and rock ’n’ roll from other societies around the globe. However, when writers advocate for cultural appropriation, they usually take this worldly approach.

They rarely focus on a specific issue.

After all, what good can come of white rappers appropriating hip-hop, typically making watered-down versions of it in the process?

It is easy to disregard white rap out of anger. Mainstream artists like Post Malone, Iggy Azalea and Macklemore have gained wide recognition for their juvenile rap efforts while dismissing the rap community on their journeys. For example, when Macklemore won the Grammy for Best Rap Album over Drake, Kanye West,

Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z in 2014, he issued a back-handed apology to Lamar, as if the Compton rapper was the only one who was snubbed. With all that being said, there are flaws in rap’s cultural appropriation argument.

First, there is no feasible way to gain “permission” from black people to make hip-hop. As a white rapper, would you just need permission from a black person in passing, or would need at least 500 retweets from black people on Twitter? Permission is difficult to qualify for the sake of this argument. Second, there is no real way to measure “appreciation.” Both Eminem and Iggy Azalea have a certain level of appreciation for hip-hop culture, but one MC likely has a much greater level of appreciation than the other. Therefore, appreciation is too much of an arbitrary concept. It is unrealistic to hold white rappers to

these standards. Each of them likely engages in appropriation of hip-hop to some degree.

There is no concrete solution to this issue. Macklemore has a voice and a message — he shouldn’t need permission or an arbitrary standard of appreciation to voice his concern.

However, he should have an initiative to raise more awareness to this issue of appropriation. Due to his privilege in the music industry, he very well may win the Grammy for Best Rap Album in February, even over his more seasoned, culturally grounded peers. Perhaps Macklemore acknowledging all the contenders, instead of just issuing an apology to Lamar, would be a step in the right direction.

Jarrin Howard is a senior organizational leadership communication major. Comments concerning his column can be sent to jhowar2@ilstu.edu.

THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

ISU professor writes book on political conversations ‘Divisive Discourse: The Extreme Rhetoric of Contemporary American Politics’ explores how we talk about politics ANDREW DOUGHTERY Political Reporter | @addough

Illinois State University School of Communication professor Joe Zompetti has written a book on the extreme polarization of political conversations that have divided American society and civil discourse.

Titled “Divisive Discourse: The Extreme Rhetoric of Contemporary American Politics,” the book explores the understanding of polarized rhetoric and explains how the extremist language and behaviors embedded within it divide average Americans and thus create divisive discourse.

According to Zompetti, polarization is an extreme division between liberal and conservative ideologies. This divide is based on the “us-versus-them” mentality communicated at political events, such as debates or rallies.

“I believe that our democracy is in peril, for a variety of different reasons. As a communications professor, I look at how people talk about politics or how they don’t,” Zompetti said.

“Even those that do engage in political conversations seem very polarized, heated and full of venom and vitriol. I think a lot of that is because we’re not taught how to have conversations.”

“One of my main driving forces behind this book is identifying divisive discourse when it happens,” he said.

“What are the fallacies and rhetorical techniques that some of these extremists use and then how can we have a conversation about the same issues but in a civil, respectful and meaningful way?”

In the book, Zompetti provides suggestions for people to utilize when having conversations about politics with others, while also talking about issues such as gun control, race and foreign policy.

“Within each of those issues I also dissect both the liberal and the conservative arguments.

Which ones use fallacies, which ones use certain types of techniques to essentially make the

debate one sided and hijack the conversation,” Zompetti said.

Zompetti said he tries not to contribute to polarization by finding examples on both sides and staying neutral. Although he said both sides engage in divisive rhetoric, he believes conservatives tend to use more fallacies and tend to be a bit louder about their opinions.

“But in some ways it’s worse on the liberal side because their arguments are more subtle and insidious as a result,” Zompetti explained.

“Liberals are not in our face trying to brow beat you with their ideology, but if you peel back the layers on the onion you still the fallacies and rhetoric at work. They kind of package it differently.”

As an example of this, Zompetti discussed the topic of gun control and how conservatives and liberals discuss the topic. “[Liberals] might say, ‘well what about those innocent kids at Sandy Hook?’ By not addressing the issue but framing the argument in that way, they tilt the scales and stack the deck because it makes it difficult to respond to those kinds of arguments,” he said.

“Don’t enter these conversations as a competition or trying to win a debate,” Zompetti said.

“The other person is a human being and they’re not always wrong and you’re not always right.”

He said one of his favorite quotes from his father was when he would say “Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.”

Zompetti hopes to encourage students to learn more about politics.

“I hope that students understand that ‘politics’ is not an evil word, and that regardless of what their interests are, politics will in some way affect those interests,” he said. “The only way out of this divisive rhetoric is for us to be more engaged with one another and have civil conversations. I hope that students get that message and become more involved.”

Sam Layendecker | Vidette Photographer

As a professor of communication at ISU, Joe Zompetti teaches courses in civic engagement, rhetoric and argumentation. In his book, Zompetti writes about the “us-versus-them” mentality he believes currently exists between liberals and conservatives in the United States.

ISU CHRISTIAN FACULTY

Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: His steadfast loves endures forever!

PSALMS 106:1 The ISU-CFF is a group of faculty and staff united by their common experience that Jesus Christ provides intellectually and spiritually satisfying answers to life’s most important questions. In this time of Thanksgiving, we praise the Lord and give thanks for our conviction of eternal life through Jesus Christ. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss any spiritual questions you may have.

John Baldwin Communication 438-7110

Janet Caldwell Special Education 438-2959

Jennifer Banning Family and Consumer Sciences 438-5960

Karen Coats English 438-3740

John Berger International Students, Inc. 212-4450 Hulda Black Marketing 438-7147 Joe Blaney College of Arts & Sciences 438-5669 Kevin Boyer Mathematics 438-3895

David Collier Music 438-8022 Jeff Courtright Communication 438-7310 Carol Cox CECP 452-0963 Jim Cox Marketing 452-0963 Cheryl Fogler Planning, Research, Policy Analysis 438-3390

David Loomis Economics 438-7979

Kimberly Risinger Music 438-8100

Jan Jolynn Staley Marketing 438-7261

Sarah Gentry Music 438-3458

Jamie Mahurin-Smith Communication Sciences & Disorders 438-5308

Anne Schmidt Mathematics 438-7503

Gina Turton Honors Program 309-458-2559

Ellis Hurd TCH 438-5115

Andy Mitchell Chemistry 438-2697

Stephanie Sellers College of Arts and Sciences 438-7725

Sharon Van Der Laan Milner Library 438-7461

Jin Jo Technology 438-7793

Greg Mullins Facilities Management 309-838-1476

Linda Showers Marketing 438-8650

Kimberly Judson Marketing 438-2715

Jan Murphy Office of the Provost 438-2916

Neil Skaggs Economics 454-1180

Alan Lacy College of Applied Science & Tech 438-7609

Steve Parsons Music 438-8959

David Snyder Music 438-5222

Peter Foreman Mgmt. & Quantitative Methods 438-5579

Kent Walstrom Accounting 438-7157 Jamie Watson Teacher Ed. Center 438-8684 Pauline Williams School of Teaching and Learning 438-5882

Barbara Ribbens Management & Quantitative Methods 438-3283

If you would like a free copy of the book More Than a Carpenter Call 452-0963 and leave a message.

Paid for and sponsored by the Illinois State University Christian Faculty-Staff Fellowship. The ISU-CFF is a registered organization of Illinois State University. University affiliation is given for identification purposes only.

MONDAY

Burger Baskets:

$1.50 $2.00 $2.50 $3.00

$2.00 Single Basket $3.50 Double Basket

Coors Lt & Miller Family Bottles 20 OZ Bud Family Draft 20 OZ Micro Drafts Whiskey Monday

TUESDAY

Mon-Fri 5 pm - 9pm Sunday 12pm - 6pm

$1.75 20 OZ Rolling Rock $2.00 Import/Micro Bottles $2.50 Tito’s Tuesday

WEDNESDAY

21 & Over After 6 pm and during Bears Games

102 S. Linden St. Normal, IL 61761 (309) 452-7393

STAFF FELLOWSHIP

BAR & GRILL

$1.25 Domestic Bottles $2.50 Vegas Bombs $3.00 Top Shelf

Features

PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

National Diabetes Awareness Month Do not believe in the Type, believe in the person BECKY FLETCHER Features Reporter | @becky__fletcher

E

very month represents something. February is Black History Month, March is Women’s History, October is Breast Cancer Awareness and November is National Diabetes Awareness Month.

By textbook definition, diabetes is a disease that prevents a body from forming insulin to help metabolize carbohydrates, which then results in high glucose levels in the blood.

If not cared for, diabetes can inhibit a person from carrying out everyday tasks.

Some basic dangers are nerve damage, kidney failure, blindness and possible amputation of limbs.

Diabetes Awareness Month seeks to raise awareness about both types of diabetes.

That said, the difference is Type 1 diabetics cannot produce any insulin, whereas Type 2 diabetics can still produce a little.

Illinois State University junior deaf education major Tori Niestrom is president of the College Diabetes Network (CDN) at ISU. Niestrom was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 4 years old.

The CDN is a new RSO on campus that seeks to inform people about both types of diabetes and the struggles people face every day while also acting as a support group for diabetics on campus.

Niestrom believes that the biggest misconception is that “people think that [diabetes] is curable or it’s just because of bad diet or being overweight and things like that.”

Dr. Tanya Richardson, who wrote her medical thesis on diabetes, said that people who do not have the disease need to learn that “there’s not a true difference in terms of uncontrolled illness.”

Niestrom agrees that diabetes is a controlled disease. “Oftentimes, people tell me what I can and cannot eat just because they’re unaware of what that means,” she said.

This means that diabetics are not restricted in terms of diet. Diabetics are capable of eating whatever they please, but there is extra care and consideration involved.

In comparison to commercialized awareness months, such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Niestrom believes that diabetes awareness goes unnoticed.

“I feel like it means absolutely nothing to most people which is rightfully so. If I didn’t have diabetes I’d probably feel the same thing,” Niestrom said. “There’s so many disabilities that have focused time with more awareness that it makes diabetes seem overshadowed.”

However, Richardson disagrees. “[Diabetes] is so incredibly common. People are aware of diabetes and how it can tamper with your overall health,” Richardson said.

“I think what people don’t know when you’re stricken with diabetes as a youth is how much difficulty kids have because they want to fit in with the group,” Richardson said.

Richardson added that non-diabetics need to set their diabetic friends up for success. Diabetics face struggles every day monitoring their disease and this can become very stressful and disheartening.

Diabetic awareness and understanding can help build confidence for diabetics.

Understanding can help in dangerous situations and awareness can help notice symptoms when diabetics face high or low glucose levels.

Sam Layendecker | Vidette Photographer To learn more about diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association website Alice Brandenburg, sophomore art education major, proudly holds her sign to raise awareness of World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14. This global awareness day falls within National Diabetes Awareness Month. at diabetes.org.

Students share their favorite albums that bring Christmas cheer Now that Thanksgiving is over, students are blaring their favorite Christmas tunes with no shame in preparation for the most wonderful time of the year.

There are many songs to choose from to get in the holly, jolly spirit, whether it is an upbeat tune, such as Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” or a slower classic like Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.”

Christmas songs have the seemingly magical power of bringing the listener to a peaceful head space as they recall fond memories of past Christmases and look forward to the holidays to come.

With an abundance of Christmas albums to choose from, including unique renditions and covers by current artists, as well as songs from Christmas past, students share the songs and albums that mean the most to them.

‘Christmas’ by Michael Bublé When it comes to Christmas albums, almost everyone can agree that Michael Bublé’s 2011 release is essential to any Christmas playlist. With Bublé’s soothing vocals hitting the perfect notes while covering Christmas classics, it is a wonderful album to listen to on repeat in the background as the tree is being decorated or presents are being wrapped.

“Michael Bublé is my go-to Christmas album. I’m a big fan of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside,’” senior nursing major Elise Dieterich said.

‘Merry Christmas’ by Mariah Carey There are few feelings in this world quite like the indescribable joy and excitement that fills the air when one hears the beginnings of Carey’s iconic Christmas anthem “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Junior psychology major Alyssa Lowe said, “I can shamelessly listen to this song on repeat. Nothing gets me more hyped for the holidays. It’s just one of those songs everyone knows the words to and you can sing at the top of your lungs with your friends in the car.”

‘Christmas Songs’ by Frank Sinatra Taking a more classical route, Sinatra’s Christmas album, released in 1948, still remains a favorite.

Journalism major Garrett Karsten said, “The way his songs are composed, along with his voice, really feels like the value of being with family.”

‘Merry Christmas’ by Bing Crosby This album is elegant and sentimental. Its most popular track, “White Christmas,” has sold over 50 million copies and is immediately recognizable even seven decades later.

“My favorite Christmas song is ‘White Christmas.’

It is my favorite song because my family would always watch that movie when I was a kid and I have fond memories of that,” junior accounting major Tyler Dehority said.

‘Carol of the Bells’ by Trans-Siberian Orchestra This song spreads a welcoming message of silver bells bringing holiday cheer into every home. It has been covered countless amount of times, but perhaps one of the most popular renditions of this tune is that of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It is the personal favorite of senior horticulture and landscape management major Ben Heitman.

Taste in Christmas music ranges depending on the student. Sophomore technology education major Nick Johnson prefers something with a bit of an intense twist with his favorite being “Heavy Metal Christmas” by Twisted Sister. Fortunately, many alternative artists including The Killers, Weezer, My Chemical Romance, Coldplay and Seabird, have released Christmas music, each with their own unique flair. Listeners of all different tastes can turn their headphones up loud and fully immerse

Olivier Douliery | TNS themselves in the spirit of Christmas.

Singer Mariah Carey performs during the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse of the National Mall in Washington, Dec. 6, 2013.

Compiled by Rachel Schollmeier Features Reporter

THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

Redbirds ousted by Panthers in MVC Tournament semifinals MIKE MARRA AND NATE HEAD Sports Editors | @MikeMarraILSTU and @NateHead51

Sam Layendecker | Vidette Photographer

Illinois State’s Ella Francis (right) and Ali Line (left) go up to block Northern Iowa’s Kate Busswitz at the net in Friday’s MVC semifinal matchup.

The Redbirds dropped the match, 3-1, and finished the season 21-12 in head coach Leah Johnson’s first year at the helm. Francis recorded 13 kills in the match while Line added four of her own.

REDBIRDS The Redbirds have continued their strong defensive show ing this season by forcing 17 turnovers, 11 of them were steals. Of that 11, Paige Saylor was credited for Kristen seven steals. She also played all Gillespie 40 minutes and finished w ith 12 points, the second highest for ISU. “For a freshman, it’s unbelievable what she does and it’s ever y single day in practice,” Gillespie said. “She’s just a competitor and we feed off that, that’s part of who we want to be. If she sets the tone defensively for us, then we want to feed off that competitiveness. She gets her hands on more balls, causes more havoc and it does so many positive things. Sometimes it doesn’t show on the stat sheet, but we’re such a different team when she is off the f loor.”

ISU also dominated the points in the paint, outscoring UMKC 44-14 in that categor y. One reason for that came from the Kangaroos’ leading scorer Sierra Bone. She finished with 19 points (6-11 FG, 6-9 3FG) and all of them except one made free-throw came from 3-pointers.

Gillespie was also very pleased with the spread

HELP WANTED- BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Dog groomer for busy salon. Must have experience. Good communication skills required. Pay by commission. Part-time or full-time available. Please call or text 3095303555

FOR RENT:

1214 Fell. 2 blocks from Wesleyan.

3 bdrm, 1 bath, ceramic, hardwood, washer/dryer.$1200/mo. + utilities.

3096601089 712 E. Taylor. 2 bdrm apt. Close to Wesleyan and ISU. $800 per month + utilities. Washer/dryer included.

309-660-1089

FOR RENT: SPRING 18 Various 1, 2, 3 and 4 Bedrooms and

Kade Heather is a sports reporter for The Vidette.

Any questions or comments concerning his article can be sent to vidette_kfheat1@ilstu.edu.

Follow him on Twitter @kade_heather.

Phone 309 438 7685 • Fax 309 438 5211 Corner of Locust & University, Normal, IL Monday – Friday. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

some single rooms available. $240 $570. Class Act Realty. 454-2960 Spring 1 & 2 bedroom units available www.sami.com (309) 888-4600

FOR RENT: FALL/SPRING 17-18 Subleases available! www.sami.com (309) 888-4600 Various 1, 2, 3 and 4 Bedrooms and some single rooms available. $270 $670. Class Act Realty. 454-2960 Need an apartment for immediate move-in?

1 and 2 bedrooms and roommate matching available! www.sami.com (309) 888-4600 305 Vernon Apt. 8

the match on the highest deficit of score of the entire contest.

Prior to the start of the tournament, the annual MVC awards banquet was held at Redbird Arena Thursday, where Illinois State was well represented.

Stef Jankiewicz was named MVC Freshman of the Year and Jaelyn Keene and Courtney Pence were named All-MVC First Team members.

Jankiewicz is the seventh Redbird to ever win the award and first since Ali Line in 2015.

The freshman also received a spot on the AllMVC Freshman team and a spot on the All-MVC Second team.

The Farmington Hills, Michigan, native led Illinois State and ranked second in the MVC in both total assists and assists per set. She ranked second on the Redbirds in aces and aces per set, and third in digs and digs per set.

Keene becomes just the second player in Illinois State history to be a four-time AllMVC First team selection, with the other being Ashley Rosch from 2012-2015.

Keene was in elite company, as Missouri State’s Lily Johnson also won her fourth AllMVC First team selection.

The two become just the sixth and seventh players in MVC history to win All-MVC First team honors four times.

Keene recorded career-high totals in kills and attacks.

The Jacksonville, Illinois, native is going to end her career ranking among the top 10 players in points, kills, blocks and aces.

Pence was among the nation’s best defensively this season, ranking second among all players nationally in digs and digs per set.

of wealth in the Redbirds’ w in.

After Green, Saylor and Stevens, Livingston and Katrina Beck also finished with eight points. Megan Talbot had f ive points and f ive rebounds, and Frannie Corrigan added three points before fouling out.

Paige “I just love seeing f ive, three, Saylor eight [points]. We’re going to have one or two players that will score the majority of the points, each game it’s different, but if everyone can chip in and get us a couple baskets, then we know it will be okay,” Gillespie said.

The Redbirds will look to make it three wins in a row at home to start the season, as they are set to take on Southern Illinois UniversityEdwardsville at 7 p.m. Thursday on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.

continued from page 8

CLASSIFIEDS

The Illinois State volleyball team’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament run came up short Friday, as it fell to Northern Iowa in four sets, 25-20, 24-26, 25-22, 25-15, at Redbird Arena.

With the loss, ISU was eliminated from the tournament and Northern Iowa advanced to the Saturday title match only to fall to top-ranked Missouri State in three matches.

ISU (21-12) used big performances from the trio of Juma Armando, Jaelyn Keene and Ella Francis to hang in contention with the Panthers, as Armando registered a team-high 14 kills while Keene and Francis each added 13.

First-year Redbird head coach Leah Johnson said the match was an exciting affair.

“I think if you are a Redbird fan and a volleyball fan, you enjoyed that match,” Johnson said. “It was hard-fought, it was strategic, and it was back-and-forth. There were some phenomenal rallies ... But if you love the Redbirds and Illinois State, you’ve got nothing to hang your head about.”

Northern Iowa controlled a narrow first set, as the Panthers never trailed but were tied three times, including 16-16. But a four-point streak paired with a final stretch of three consecutive scores led Northern Iowa over ISU. The second set was back-and-forth, as the lead changed five times and was tied 12 times.

Illinois State used a streak of six-straight points late to take a 23-17 lead, but the Panthers fought back to tie it 24-24 before Keene notched backto-back kills to clinch the set.

The third set was tight-knit, but the Panthers never trailed and nabbed the set, 25-22. The fourth and final set was all Northern Iowa, as it rode seven kills from Piper Thomas to win

2 bed/1 bath, immediate move-in All utilities included, washer/dryer SAMI, www.sami.com (309) 888-4600

FOR RENT: SU/FALL/SPR 18-19 808 S Linden: Large 1,2,3 and 4 person units. All Utilities Included. Next to the trail. Start at $355. Class Act Realty.

454-2960 TOWNHOMES: 2, 3 & 4 Bedrooms.

Include Washer-dryer, central air, dishwasher, parking, patio and/or balcony, yard. ONLY $265 - $455 per bedroom.

Class Act Realty. 454-2960 Houses 3+ BR great locations. W/D, AC. Pets Okay. $395+ per BR. Call Sean 3092611302. AGT.INT Flora Way: Large Furnished 1,2,3 and 4 Bedrooms. Start at ONLY $315. Class

Act Realty. 454-2960 Fell: Spacious 2 & 4 Bedrooms. 1 block from campus. Laundry. Start at $380.

Class Act Realty. 454-2960 North Linden 4 bdrm house. Off street parking. Great location. Call Days: 309275-1281 Evenings: 309-365-8604.

Nice 4 Br house available for rent.

2 blocks from campus. Parking & amenities included. $500/month. 630336-8959 or email 1010suniversity@ gmail.com.

401 N. Fell Ave. Remodeled 4 bedroom/2 bath. New flooring, kitchen cabinets and counter top, above range microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, large balcony, washer & dryer in unit. Central air, secured building, off street parking, high speed internet provided. $640/per person. Call Excel Real Estate at 309-829-5885.

Houses: 2 to 6 Bedrooms. Start at $325 per person. Walk to Campus.

3094542960 Premium campus houses available 4, 5 or 6 bedroom. Many to choose from. Call Nathan 3096602390 301 S. WALNUT: Furnished 2 Bedrooms.

Balcony, Covered parking, Laundry.

Quiet Building. Start at ONLY $290.

Class Act Realty. 454-2960 LINDEN TRAILS: BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION. 4 bedroom 4.5 Bath Units with Washer/Dryer. Next to the Trail. Utilities Included. Start at $610 per person. Class Act Realty.

309-454-2960 NOW LEASING TWO, THREE, OR FOURBEDROOM APARTMENTS! Close to campus, clean, secure, on-site parking, high speed Internet. Call Meredith’s Properties today! 309-454-4100

PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE

Sports

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

Redbird volleyball in good hands

MY VIEW NICK DAMIANI | Sports Reporter

F

Monica Mendoza | Vidette Photo Editor

Keyshawn Evans misses a game-tying attempt as time expired in Illinois State’s 64-62 defeat to Charleston Southern Saturday at Redbird Arena.

Redbirds rolled by Bucs

Last-second ‘miscommunication’ buries ISU in overtime thriller

NATE HEAD Sports Editor | @NateHead51

B

umps in the road are to be expected with a team that is missing its top-3 leading scorers from a season ago.

But Illinois State men’s basketball coach Dan Muller isn’t ready to make excuses after a headscratching 64-62 defeat to Charleston Southern Saturday in overtime at Redbird Arena.

“I think everything you look at is growing pains, unfortunately,” Muller said. “But I am going to stop using that phrase pretty soon because there are a lot of teams around the country that don’t have experience.”

Trailing by two points with nine seconds remaining in overtime, ISU’s Keyshawn Evans elected to not forego a timeout on the inbound pass and forced up a heavily contested shot from just inside the 3-point line, which clanked off the side of the rim as time expired.

After the game, the junior guard cited confusion between him and head coach Dan Muller in regards to the game plan for the critical closing

seconds.

“It was a miscommunication,” Evans said.

“Coach [Muller] told me to get across half court and call timeout but it was just a miscommunication on my part.”

While ISU lacks experience, the same could be said about Charleston Southern. Head coach Barclay Radebaugh’s bunch is comprised of three freshmen starters — Deontaye Buskey, Phlandrous Fleming Jr. and Ty Jones — who have already endured lopsided losses of 48 and 22 points this season.

Even after surrendering an eight-point lead midway through the second half to a charging Redbird group, Charleston Southern refused to fold.

“Every game we have won has not been beautiful … it has just been on effort,” Radebaugh said. “That’s why I keep preaching to them if their execution matches their intensity and their attitude, then we have a chance to be pretty good come conference time.”

Evans scored a game-high 26 points on 8-for20 shooting, including 5-for-14 from distance.

Despite securing his fourth game of at least 20 points this season, Evans was disappointed with his performance.

“Well, as a whole, we didn’t really make enough plays for each other,” Evans said. “I felt like I kind of shot us out of the game towards the end instead of trying to just stay solid, whether it be to get the ball inside or kick it out.”

Illinois State was limited to shooting just 33.3 percent from the field and failed to make a field goal in the five-minute overtime session. The Redbirds were also outrebounded, 47-40, which junior forward Phil Fayne attributed to a lack of energy from the unit after the opening whistle.

“They came out really strong and we didn’t come out as we usually do in the first half,” Fayne said. “They had more hustle than us in the first half.”

The defeat drops Illinois State to 3-3 on the season and boosts Charleston Southern to 4-2.

The Redbirds will next take the court against Nevada in Reno Wednesday in the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Conference challenge.

Tip-off is slated for 9 p.m.

ISU hops over Kangaroos KADE HEATHER Sports Reporter | @kadeheather

Right as the Kangaroos thought they had an easy fast-break basket, Illinois State’s Viria Livingston snuck up from behind and stole the ball away just passed half court. She f lung the ball the other way to Hannah Green, who was underneath the basket, put the shot up while being fouled and knocked it down to extend the Redbirds’ lead.

Extending the lead became the story Sunday, as ISU (2-2) never trailed in its second win of the season over the University of Missouri-Kansas City (0-5), 64-53 at Redbird Arena.

The Redbirds were once again without Simone Goods, and Livingston exited the game in the fourth quarter Monica Mendoza | Vidette Photo Editor due to a forearm injury.

Hannah Green scored 20 points in ISU’s win Sunday, “We were a little short-handed again, I thought our young women continued

to find ways to step up and really positively impact our team,” head coach Kristen Gillespie said. “That’s what we’ve been preaching all along, ‘when my number is called what can I do?’ it’s not always about how many points you can score. It’s just neat to see different people finding their niche to ensure that we get the win.”

ISU saw much more production from its bench in this game than it did in its previous one. The team scored zero bench points against George Mason, but exploded for 28 bench points against the Kangaroos. Green can be thanked for most of that. She finished with 20 points (8-19 FG) and nine rebounds coming off the bench. Millie Stevens added the other eight points (4-8 FG) and grabbed five rebounds. see REDBIRDS page 7

riday’s loss in the Missouri Valley semifinals to Northern Iowa most likely ended what could be considered a year of transition for Illinois State volleyball. Head coach Leah Johnson came in to Normal with big shoes to fill after the departure of Melissa Myers, who ended her career third on Illinois State’s all-time wins list.

From the first day Johnson stepped on campus, she preached that success would not come overnight and that it would be a process. After a 4-6 start to the season, the growing pains could be seen along with signs of optimism, including a grueling loss to then-No. 15 Florida State in ISU’s second matchup of the season.

Although it was a defeat, it was an outing that showed that the team could hang with any opponent in the country.

After those first ten games, the Redbirds hit their stride and ended the year 21-12 with a third-place finish in the MVC. Things seemed to come together when the team notched a historical win over then-No. 25 Northern Iowa Oct. 27, which was the program’s first victory over a top-25 opponent in nearly 14 years.

In that match, ISU slowed one of the country’s best offenses, as Johnson helped transform Illinois State into one of the best defensive teams in the Valley, illustrated by its rankings at the top of the league in both opposing hitting percentage and opposing kills.

Looking to the future, the Redbirds will have to fill a gaping hole with the graduation of Jaelyn Keene. The senior leaves ISU as one of only two players to be named first team all-MVC in each of her four seasons. Despite losing the focal point of her offense, Johnson will have plenty of talent on the court in the years to come.

Junior libero Courtney Pence put together another stellar season, as she led the country in digs and was named First Team All-MVC for the second consecutive year while setter Stef Jankiewicz cemented herself as one of the Valley’s up-andcoming stars as the conference’s Freshman of the Year.

Freshman Sydney Holt and sophomore Ella Francis also flashed signs of promise late in the season as outside hitters.

It will be an uphill battle for the Redbirds to return to the top of the Valley, a spot they have not held since 2014. Yet, the future seems to be bright for Johnson and the Redbirds as they continue following along the “process.”

Nick Damiani is a sports reporter at The Vidette. Follow him on Twitter at @nGDamiani.