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THURSDAY October 13, 2016

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U.S. visa system makes American Dream unattainable for some international students senior in Business with graduation fast approaching, she is As an 8-year-old grow- forced to confront the reality ing up in India, Anuja Har- of her career dreams in a way lalka watched shows like her friends don’t have to. If she cannot obtain an H-1B “Friends” and dreamed of coming to America. Now, as a work visa, she will not be able to stay in the United States. International students make up nearly a quarter of the population at the University, with 10,700 registered students as of this fall. Any of them who would choose to the remain in the country after graduation are forced to go through the same process Harlalka: primarily, finding a company willing to sponsor an H-1B visa. Latin America North Over 90 percent of interAmerica national students at the Uniare on an F-1 visa, Middle East versity said Assistant Director for Career and Professional Development Un Yeong Park. This grants them the opportunity to be educated in America. If a student wishes to remain in the United States after graduation to pursue employment, they must enter into Optional Practical Training. Approximately ELLIE HAHN 2,000 University alumni are at THE DAILY ILLINI Optional Practical Training staBY GILLIAN DUNLOP

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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tus, Park said, which acts as an extension of the F-1 visa. This allows them to work for a company for three years if they are a STEM student and one year if they are not. After that period is up, companies can then sponsor candidates so that they can potentially obtain an H-1B visa. If the candidate is successful in getting one, they will be allowed to work in country for up to six additional years. The issue is, only 85,000 H-1B visas are given out every year and about 240,000 people apply for them, Park said. The visas are granted through a random lottery system. All H-1B applicants are college graduates, but they can come from any university in the world. This gives students about a one in three chance of obtaining a visa, which makes it difficult to get sponsored by a company. Many see it as a bad investment, said Park. “It sucks, because even if you’re better than someone else, you (might) lose out on getting a job here,” Harlalka said. Even with the demand so high, our government has failed

to increase the amount of H-1B visas allotted every year. “More and more people that want to stay are being forced to go back since our immigration system is so broken,” immigration attorney Arthur Serratelli said. “You can be a smart kid, graduate, fight an uphill battle to get sponsored and you still might not get an H-1B.” The reason for lack of increase in H-1B visa distribution is most likely public perception. “There’s a perception amongst the public that more H-1B visas means less jobs for U.S. workers,” said Directory of International Student and Scholar Services Martin McFarlane. “That’s not the case at all. To get an H-1B visa you have to prove, as the company doing this, that there was not an available American worker.” The fact that the demand for these visas is so much higher than the amount available shows that the country needs skilled workers. And they want to be here, McFarlane said. “We miss out on bringing knowledge and expertise to

HANNAH AUTEN THE DAILY ILLINI

Agatha Miodowski, junior in LAS, studies in Caffe Bene on Wednesday.

Online programs projected to raise UI enrollement BY MEGAN JONES STAFF WRITER

SEE VISA | 3A

Students celebrate International Coming Out Day

LILY KATZ THE DAILY ILLINI

Stephanie Skora speaks to students on National Coming Out Day in front of the Illini Union on Tuesday.

An increase in online degrees could help the University system increase the number of overall degrees awarded by 20 percent within the next six years. University President Timothy Killeen asked the three campuses to develop plans for 10, 15 and 20 percent growth over the next six years. But a committee of 13 faculty members decided to only make plans for a 20 percent increase because they wanted to aim high. Charles Tucker, vice provost for undergraduate education and innovation, said the campus has grown one percent per year for several decades, mostly at the undergraduate level. He attributes most of the growth to increasing numbers of each freshman class. But the campus is reaching capacity for undergraduate resident enrollment, he said. Residence halls could hold more students for the next few years, but soon Illinois Street Residence Hall will undergo remodeling and make it harder to enroll a larger class. Due to this restriction, future growth must come through master’s degrees or online programs, Tucker said. The committee’s overall goal was to maximize institutional impact for the state of Illinois in a way that is financially sustainable, he said. “We think of impact as the product of excellence and size,” he said. “So, you could have the very best student in the world, but if there is only one of her, you’re not making as much of an impact or if you are a giant university but not producing very high quality students, you are also not making a good impact.” Instead, he said the campus must grow only where it makes sense

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Illinois wins 4th consecutive diversity award; students skeptical BY OLIVIA OKOCHA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

For the fourth consecutive year, the University, along with 83 other colleges and universities, has won the 2016 Higher Education Excellence Diversity Award. The award was presented by Insight Into Diversity magazine — the oldest magazine that promotes diversity in higher educational institutions. Associate Chancellor for Diversity Assata Zerai noted in a press release that increasing diversity is a major priority for the University. “Today, we have a vibrant community of diversity and inclusion advocates in the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations, and its related branches in the cultural houses, in the LGBT resources center and the women’s resources center,” Zerai said. The University doesn’t

just have diversity departments that students can attend for resources, however. Classes are offered and students are encouraged to watch videos on diversity online. Starting in Fall 2018, a U.S. Minority Culture class will be a graduation requirement. “Undergraduate students are engaged in DiversityEdu30,” Zerai said. “(It is) an online module that is intended to provide an introduction to the diversity of opinions, social identities, experiences that students will experience at Illinois throughout their academic career and to provide common language where conversations about diversity can begin.” Although people like Zerai agree that Illinois provides a diverse environment, some might argue that it does not. Of 44,880 total enrolled students, 5.16 percent are

African-American, 14.78 percent are Asian, 8.78 percent are Hispanic, 0.08 percent are Native American/Alaska Native and 0.06 percent are Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander, according to the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations. International students account for 23.84 percent of the population and 43.94 percent are white. Chibuihe Asonye, junior in LAS, said in an email, that the University is not as diverse as it pretends to be. “I think we are superficially a diverse school,” Asonye said. “We see a black kid here or there in a class and so of course we are a diverse place, but there’s only one kid.” Asonye also said the defi nition of diversity depends on the context, and that from a University perspective, it’s more a reflection of the state’s population demographic.

“I think diversity is just having the numbers. I think people often mistake diversity with inclusivity. And they are not the same thing,” she said. Other students agree with Asonye’s defi nition of diversity. Michelle Pope, junior in LAS, also said that diversity has to do with background and includes more than just race. “I’m looking at race and educational background,” Pope said. “When I look at diversity, I look at ethical background, educational background and where you live.” Pope also agrees that the University is not as diverse as it says it is. “There are a lot of people here from the Chicagoland area. There’s (also) more Asian ethnicities here than African-American people or Mexican people,” Pope said. “I would want it to be more diverse. There

are a lot of white people (as well).” Yet neither Pope nor Asonye are surprised the University won the HEED Award. Pope said that she’s witnessed faculty members talking about the University’s diversity in her classes. “I was in (General Studies) 101 and they were just bombarding us with how diverse we were,” Pope said. “I thought the class was about General Studies and fi nding your major, but it’s more about diversity.” However, Pope expects more from the University. “I know the school is primarily white people,” Pope said. “I’m not surprised but I (do) wish it was more diverse — it is a Big Ten school.” Asonye said that the University should strive to be diverse in terms of sexuality, economic

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Sports Gabe Megginson is the ultimate Illini football goon

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Thursday, October 13, 2016

THE DAILY ILLINI 512 E. Green St. Champaign, IL 61820

Copyright © 2016 Illini Media Co. The Daily Illini is the independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The newspaper is published by the Illini Media Co. The Daily Illini does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students. All Illini Media Co. and/or The Daily Illini articles, photos and graphics are the property of Illini Media Co. and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the publisher. Longform editor Sarah Foster Asst. opinions editor Courtney Boyer Photo editor Tiffany Zhang photo@ dailyillini.com Asst. photo editor Lily Katz Design editor Michelle Tam design@ dailyillini.com Asst. design editor Jacob Singleton Supplements editor Isabella Jackson supplements @dailyillini.com Asst. supplements editor Brooks Berish Buzz editor Josh Peterson Video editor Jean Kang video@dailyillini. com Copy chief Samantha Skipper copychief@ dailyillini.com Asst. copy chief Rachael Bolek Social media director John Wong disocial@dailyillini.com Web developer Zeeshan Faizal webdev@dailyillini.com Co-Publishers Kit Donahue Melissa Pasco

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A theft was reported in the 200 block of East Green Street around 6:30 a.m. Monday. According to the report, an unknown offender stole several construction signs and equipment. A theft and fraud were reported in the 300 block of East Green Street around 12:30 p.m. Monday. According to the report, the victim said that their wallet had either been stolen or was lost. An unknown offender then used the victim’s credit cards to withdraw funds and make purchases. The

victim’s keys and driver’s license were also stolen.

University

A bicycle theft was reported at Busey-Evans Residence Hall, 1111 W. Nevada St., between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. According to the report, an unknown offender stole the victim’s bicycle, which had been left unlocked and unattended. The bike has an estimated value of $150. A 20-year-old male was arrested on the charge of retail theft at the Illini Union Bookstore, 809 S. Wright St., around 4:30 p.m. Monday.

According to the report, security personnel noticed the offender attempting to leave the bookstore without paying for clothing and textbooks, and subsequently called the police. The items the offender tried to steal were valued around $510.

tionship, got into an argument, which led to the offender taking the victim’s phone and breaking it. The victim then attempted to walk away but the offender grabbed her by the throat, slapped her several times and threw her to the ground.

Urbana

A burglary from a motor vehicle was reported in the 1300 block of Eads Street around 7 a.m. Tuesday. According to the report, an unknown offender had damaged the window of the victim’s vehicle and stolen cash.

A 26-year-old male was arrested on the charges of domestic battery and criminal damage to property in the 400 block of East Elm Street around 6:30 p.m. Monday. According to the report, the offender and victim, who are in a dating rela-

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Campus events raise domestic violence awareness BY ANDREA FLORES STAFF WRITER

One in four students had been physically abused while in a relationship as a student at the University of Illinois at ChampaignUrbana, according to a study conducted in 2000. The study found 87 percent of students experienced some level of abuse while in a relationship during college. Only 13 percent sought help. Eight percent fi led a formal complaint with the Office for Student Conflict Resolution and just two percent filed a police report. “It’s important for Students Against Sexual Assault to create solidarity around this issue, so that people can feel safe here and have people that can make people feel safe,” said Sarah Graves, co-president of Students Against Sexual Assault, in an email. Students had the opportunity to speak about their own experiences with domestic violence at the “It Happens Here,” event, which took place Oct. 11. “This is the first ‘It Happens Here’ event that we are holding for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which means that people have submitted stories about their experiences with domestic violence, dating violence and gendered violence,” Graves said. “It’s important to know that people here, on this campus, are living through these

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Paper hands are placed on the wall in an act of solidarity with survivors of domestic violence. experiences every day.” The keynote event for Domestic Violence Awareness Month will be Oct. 18 at Unit One Allen Hall, featuring activist Byron Hurt. “For more than 20 years, Hurt has been using his craft, his voice, and his writings to broaden and deepen how people think about gender violence, race, music, visual media and food justice,” said Rachel Storm, assistant director at the Women’s Resource Center. “As an activist, Byron has served

as a gender violence prevention educator.” In addition, the Women’s Resource Center will be screening the following movies: “The Mask You Live In,” “Once Were Warriors,” “Beyond Beats and Rhymes” and “Crime After Crime.” A Clothesline Public Art Project will be displayed at the Alma Mater statue, along with Charlotte Prieu’s art exhibition Tête-À-Tête, which will be shown the entire month at the Women’s Resource Center.

To cap off Domestic Violence Awareness Month, there will be a Candlelight Vigil to honor survivors and mourn lost loved ones outside Alma Mater on Oct. 27. “Come light a candle for victims and survivors, say a few words, and listen to our collective stories of struggle, survival, and solidarity in the face of domestic violence — as well as our work to end violence of all forms,” Storm said.

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THURSDAY October 13, 2016 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

NEWS

Book club for UI students, ‘If You Feel Too Much’ BY ADAM KAZ STAFF WRITER

Many students can recall a time when a book touched them on a deeply personal level. Carly Prias, senior in LAS, remembers how “If You Feel Too Much: Thoughts on Things Found and Lost and Hoped For” and other works by Jamie Tworkowski helped her through her mental health issues. Tworkowski is an author made famous by his movement, To Write Love on Her Arms. This non-profit organization is dedicated to finding help for people struggling with depression and forms of self-harm. “Jamie’s writing in par-

FROM 1A

ENROLLMENT and should focus on enrolling a high-potential group of diverse students. The overall student body, at 44,880, has Illinois ranked as the seventh largest public university in the country. Of the University’s peer groups, only the University of Texas at Austin is larger. Online or graduate programs for business, information sciences, engineering, media, social work and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine could increase enrollment by more than 6,300 students, he said. Tucker said there is a lot of interest in online degree programs and the committee saw that there were over 11 programs currently enrolling students or being planned for Fall 2017. At a Senate Executive Committee meeting on Oct. 3, Tucker said the committee found that the college's interest in master programs is enhanced because of the way the University allocates tuition. “As we enter a period of budget reform, there is a broad sense that we have tended to tax undergraduate tuition fairly heavily and graduate tuition less so,” he said. “I think there will be a lot of robust discussion on if we’d like to balance that a little bit.”

FROM 1A

VISA the U.S., which doesn’t seem right to me,” he said. The current presidential election has heightened the stakes, making the issue of immigration even more controversial than it was before. “Most politicians are concerned about addressing immigration reform when you’ve got one candidate pushing for vetting people coming into the country and (even) removing internationals,” McFarlane said. “It’s a very contentious topic that isn’t important enough, unfortunately, to a number of politicians” McFarlane, however, is optimistic that the amount of visas given out will eventually increase. “If the demand keeps going, it’s the companies that are going to drive this, it’s the business that’s going to drive this,” he said. “If they can’t get the workers, ultimately they’re going to be able to lobby for a change.” To students like Abhideep

ticular, it’s just a source of comfort to me because he speaks in a way that lets you know he’s been through what you’ve been through,” Prias said. “He really connects to the audience.” Prias is a member of One Book One Campus, an Illini Union initiative that picks one author each year to guest lecture about their works. On Nov. 3, Tworkowski will give a free lecture on his book of short stories “If You Feel Too Much” at 7 p.m. in the I-Rooms of the Illini Union. A reception and book signing will follow the event. “If You Feel Too Much” is a collection of personal stories from Tworkowski

focusing on loss, despair and pain. Prias is also a member of the University’s chapter of To Write Love on Her Arms. Last summer, she met Tworkowski on a book tour and has continued to follow his work closely. “Club members and I kind of a feel a really special connection to him and to his words because we feel like we’ve been a part of his message for a long time,” Prias said. Last spring, the approximately 20 committee members of One Book One Campus voted on which book they wanted to represent for the year. Caroli-

During Monday’s Academic Senate meeting, the question of lowering tuition came up when talking about financial aid. Students’ unmet financial need has doubled over the last decade, increasing from $43 million in 20052006 to $109 million last year. Associate Professor Bruce Rosenstock said the University’s tuition is among the highest in the Big Ten and encouraged lowering it. Killeen has said he hopes to freeze tuition again for the third consecutive year. Rosenstock said Indiana and other Big Ten schools have cheaper out-of-state tuition rates than the in-state rates at Illinois. Tucker said that out-of-state rates at other Big Ten schools are more expensive for students. For example, out-of-state tuition for Indiana costs $34,246 and in-state tuition for Illinois ranges from $15,698$20,702. However, other Big Ten schools are able to offer scholarships that make rates similarly priced. Of the top 10 reasons why students do not decide to attend Illinois, eight are due to finances, stating that the costs were too high or they didn’t receive as much aid as other universities provided, according to the Office of the Provost. Rosenstock asked why the school won’t make lowering costs one of its top goals. “Why can't it be part of our commitment over the next

10 years to lower tuition? We must take the lead and make this a priority and a commitment," he said. But the University is already at a $190 million shortfall in its budget because of the state impasse. Departments manage doctoral enrollments against their needs for research or teaching assistance, or for financial resources for fellowship support, Tucker said. Professor Nicholas Burbules questioned how long the University can continue to hire doctoral students because while the campus needs them for research and teaching assistance, the job market for them is drying up. He asked at what point should the university ask if they are taking advantage of students by giving them the expectation they will get their Ph.Ds and join the faculty, while many of them won’t end up doing so. Tucker said the committee didn’t grapple with that, but it is a significant concern. The enrollment committee met regularly from November 2015 until the report was released in August. They had degree-granting units on campus to complete a survey describing their enrollment and limiting factors and challenges for each degree program.

Dasgupta, senior in Engineering, the problem lies in companies not understanding how the visa system works. “Companies don’t know the exact procedures,” he said. “They think it’s going to be a huge procedure, but it’s not. It’s really annoying to deal with.” Students need to focus on making employers see their potential instead of their visa requirements. If the student is unable to obtain an H-1B visa on their first try, at least in the case of STEM students they may have two more years to try for one. For some students, this whole process is disheartening because they not only might lose their residency in the United States, but also all of the connections they have made along the way. “All of my friends are U.S. citizens. If I leave this country, I’m leaving behind that entire family of mine,” Harlalka said. “It sucks that I can’t be with people out here because of the passport I hold.”

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na Figueroa, sophomore in AHS and committee member said Tworkowski’s short stories, as well as his mental health awareness movement To Write Love On Her Arms, were popular among committee members. For Figueroa, the themes of “If You Feel Too Much” can relate to anyone going through a tough time. “At U of I, especially lately with the tragic event that happened on campus, there have been a lot of people that have been under a lot of stress emotionally and mentally,” Figueroa said. In preparation for the event, there was a discount on the book at the Illini

LILY KATZ THE DAILY ILLINI

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DIVERSITY

African American 2,317 5.16%

Hispanic 3,949 8.78%

Multiracial 1,175 2.62%

White 19,721 43.94%

Native American/ Alaska Native 35 0.08%

adamkaz2@dailyillini.com

Anti-Circumcision protestors address students on Green and Wright streets to discourage infant circumcision.

Asian 6,633 14.78%

International 10,700 23.84%

dents should take advantage of,” she said. “You don’t get the opportunity to meet an author for free and hear their personal stories all the time.” One of organization’s founders and Illini Union Bookstore Manager Frances Davis praised the club for focusing on reading as a form of entertainment “These days, one can argue mightily about whether the screen has replaced the page, or about whether or not reading is still entertainment, but reading remains transformative,” Davis said in an email.

Protestors target circumcision

Total Enrollment: 44,880 Unknown 323 0.7%

Union Bookstore and plans to hang up informational posters across the University. They’ve also reached out the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Engineering Students Council and other RSOs concerned with mental health. Figueroa has fond memories of last year’s author Wes Moore holding a moving lecture on campus. She hopes Tworkowski’s stories of adversity will have an even greater impact on students. “Most of the authors we invite are very personable and they’re very humble and down to earth, so I think that it’s a great thing that stu-

Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander 27 0.06%

Editor’s note: students can fall into more than one category

JESSICA JUTZI THE DAILY ILLINI SOURCE: OFFICE OF INCLUSION & INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS

backg rou nd a nd the LGBTQ community. “Reach out to (high) scho ols who a ren’t normally on the list, those are the students who need access to this school,” Asonye said. “I think we should create more of the tailored spaces so students who come here, have a space where they can find other students like themselves.” D ec ades a go, t he demographics of the st udent a nd facu lt y population were not as inclusive and diverse. In 1946, the University implemented the Code of Fair Educational Practice to address the issue, which was meant to prevent qualifications based on race, creed or national origin, Zerai said. D u r i ng th at sa me year, the University also provided accommodations fo r s t ud e nt s w it h disabilities.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF INCLUSION & INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS

Decades later, over 500 Latino/Latina and AfricanAmerican students were recruited in 1968. ”The Diversity Realized at Illinois by Visioning E xc el lenc e ( DR I V E ) Committee is composed of highly respected faculty members to ensure that diversity and excellence are an inseparable part of the hiring process, including unconscious bias training,” Zerai said. In 2007, the University created the Inclusive Illinois initiative. This was the most recent effort to address diversity. While there are many d i ffer i n g opi nions regarding diversity on campus, Zerai sees the progress being made. “Our goal is to work toward an image of Illinois as a multi-patterned quilt — weaved together cohesively, yet incorporating and respecting the distinct cloths and pieces of our unique identities,” Zerai said.

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JESSICA JUTZI THE DAILY ILLINI

OPINIONS

THURSDAY October 13, 2016 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

THE DAILY ILLINI

EDITORIAL The most stereotypical group project partners One of the most dreaded parts of a student’s college career is the group project. Not only are these projects worth a large part of your grade, but you must rely on others to get the job done — which usually doesn’t end well. Here are the most common group members that you’ll deal with.

The Micromanager Ah yes, the micromanager. The micromanager is perhaps the most infuriating of all members. This person insists on correcting everything you do, but makes no effort to do any of the work themselves. He or she is known for: conducting the meeting, deciding (alone, of course) what the topic of the project will be and how it will be done, delegating tasks and being all-around annoying.

Mr./Ms. Personality

If they supposedly have so much knowledge and so many ideas for the project, why do they insist on making everyone else do all the work? And then once you do your part, begrudgingly, the micromanager swoops in and makes several unneeded changes. The worst. Maybe they should have just done it themselves then. Come on micromanager, do some real work next time.

The Ghost Everyone knows this group member, even though they never seem to come to class. The ghost is the one who never responds in the Groupme, rarely comes to class and will probably show up to the group presentation with no clue what’s going on. Unfortunately, the best way to han-

dle this is to assume that they’ll never be there. Don’t count on them to do major parts of the project or presentation. Once the ghosting begins, make sure to let your professor know that something is up so the ghost doesn’t get all the credit for the rest of the group’s work, because that’s truly spooky.

You worked so hard on this project. You were the one who discovered that interesting fact about peanuts and you found a way to use a meme from “The Office.” You’re on your A-game. The professor is about to call your group up and you’re going to crush it. But wait, look who it is: the person who barely did anything. Why are they saying we’re ready to present? OK, this is fine. You’ll just rebound and rock it … wait,

The Flake At the first meeting, they have it all together. They come up with ideas and volunteer to create PowerPoint slides. But as the team progresses, they show up later and later to meetings until they finally don’t show up at all. There is always a reason for their absence: Their phone AND computer broke and they didn’t see your emails.

How about that very odd and conveniently-timed bout of food poisoning the night before the project was due? At first, you think, “Wow, they can’t catch a break.” But when you see Facebook pictures of them doing a keg stand at Mizzou when they claimed they had a “family emergency,” you finally know who you are dealing with.

why is that person talking the entire time? Let us talk! That person barely did their work and now they’re taking credit! No! That’s not how the meme was supposed to be used! Great, you barely get to talk and now that person is being lauded by the professor. You’re so mad. Why did you work so hard if Mr./Ms. Personality decided to swoop in and take all the credit? Thanks, glory hog.

Mr./Ms. Good Intentions The saddest of all potential group members. Mr./Ms. Good Intentions really does want to help. Unfortunately for this person, and by default you, they just don’t seem to know what they’re talking about. Perhaps they are confused by the assignment, or maybe they just truly don’t understand anything that is going on

in the class. They know how annoying it is when group members do nothing to help (cough cough, everyone else mentioned) but it’s probably best if they just leave it to the members who actually know what they’re talking about. It’s really too bad because they have such good intentions.

Musicians: Simply humans with emotions like us SAKETH VASSAMSETTI Opinions columnist

Kid Cudi’s (a.k.a. Scott Mescudi) song “Soundtrack 2 My Life,” he opens up to all of the problems he has had growing up. From coping with his father’s death to coming to terms with his own depression, listeners understand the many hardships he has dealt with. “But they all didn’t see, the little bit of sadness in me, Scotty.” Mescudi completely accepts vulnerability not only in this one song, but throughout his album “Man on the Moon: The End of Day” in order to create the extremely down to earth and relatable character that drew so many listeners to his unique style. That album came out in 2009. Since then, Mescudi released multiple projects that barely received half of the praise his debut album did. Kid Cudi went from being in the front of the

changing music industry to being the exact opposite. Mescudi recently became a trending topic on social media, not for his announcement on a new album, rather for a statement he released on Facebook. Mescudi wrote to his fans about his decision to check himself into rehab due to depression and suicidal urges. He spoke about how he was “ashamed of himself” for doing this but promised that there would be more music and that he would come back “stronger”. Thousands of people liked and shared the post. From his dedicated fans to adults who had no idea who he was, everyone came together to show Mescudi there is no reason for him to apologize and that they would support him through his recovery. A majority of those people that took to social media to talk about Mescudi’s situation were students. They were the ones his music spoke to the most given that a common theme throughout his work speaks of the troubles of growing up. I, as well as millions of other

kids, listened to songs like “Solo Dolo” where Mescudi sings about escaping reality through his dreams and felt so connected to his words. Lot’s of students deal with sadness on various levels and when a person braves the stage to speak out on his/her own experiences with it, we listen just to feel as though we have one more person on our side. It’s that brutal honesty that attracts us. Mescudi isn’t the only musician known for breaking through walls of vulnerability. More popular musicians such as Lady Gaga (a.k.a. Stefani Germanotta) are known for writing music that tackle social justice issues, such as sexual harassment, based off personal experiences. Germanotta takes it beyond the music by campaigning with organizations that advocate for sexual harassment survivors. Learning more about a musician truly changes the way we listen to their music. In 2015, Mescudi released “Speeding Bullet 2 Heaven” which was a long awaited

album release. The album was unlike anything I had ever heard from Mescudi. He stepped away from the alternative hip-hop he was known for and experimented with punk rock influences. To be honest, I didn’t like it. No one did. That album was considered the worst album of year and at the time it seemed rightfully so. However, after learning about the hardships Mescudi endured, I gave it another listen. I still didn’t like it … but I gained a newfound respect for it. It held it’s own unique complexity in and of itself. Mescudi simply tried to tell a story in a different fashion, regardless of whether or not people would like it. It’s important we realize that musicians don’t always create to connect with others; sometimes it’s their own plea for help because no matter how famous they are, they’re still humans with the same emotions we all have.

Saketh is a freshman in DGS. ssv2@dailyillini.com

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Kid Cudi attends ‘Vincent N Roxxy’ premiere during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival at Chelsea Bow Tie Cinemas on April 18 in New York City.

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Thursday, October 13, 2016

Students turn passion into profit through online markets BY MARY KATE KILEY STAFF WRITER

Siegfried Oyales began his fi rst pottery class in high school. Within a few years, he channeled this passion into a profit. With the popularity and availability of online markets, students around campus are making money from their hobbies through sites like Etsy and Facebook by selling items ranging anywhere from ceramics to jewelry to homemade planters.

Oyales, junior in FAA, created his own website where his art can be purchased. His focus is to sell tea bowls, platters and tiles. “I wasn’t great, but my friend encouraged me to keep trying. The next year something clicked and I fell in love after I kept practicing,” Oyales said. He realized after he had given away so many items as gifts, he could sell his items and make a profit. “For me, it’s not about making money. It’s about

learning and using my skills, but it’s an added bonus to make cash on the side,” Oyales said. Oyales’ ceramics are unique due to the way he manufactures his items. Oyales makes his own clay and glazes, fi res his own work and runs his own studio. Though the profit is a benefit, the ultimate goal for him is others’ enjoyment of his work. “My items are personal and sentimental. There is something special about

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARCIA CHOU

Succulents are arranged in a planter with dirt, moss and pebbles. Marcia Chou sells succulents and rings on her Etsy shop. Many students are using online shops to make money while still in school.

valuing something handmade,” he said. Students are fi nding that selling their items is more than just a profit, but a valuable way to gain experience in the business sector. Riya Shah, sophomore in Business, began making bracelets at a young age after her cousins passed down jewelry making kits, which she immediately took interest in. “It was really cool seeing people I know wear them or getting pictures from people,” Shah said. She started her passion by making beaded bracelets and eventually made anklets and braided friendship bracelets. During her senior year of high school, Shah started selling her jewelry. A fter accumulati ng many handmade bracelets, Shah decided to create an online market on Etsy to sell her jewelry. With both the online market and inperson sales, she started to quickly see her products circulate. Shah said her pricing is reasonable compared to the cost of making the bracelets, but she can still make a considerable profit. Her experience selling items has given her insight into the process of starting a business and ultimately helped her decide on pursuing a business degree. “I got to see the process of starting a very small

business and all the things that go into it,” Shah said. In the future, Shah would like to create a shop stemming from other ideas such as making posters and utilizing her Photoshop skills. “The best advice I would give is to research competitors, focus on the presentation and use many photos and tags to generate customers,” she said. Another student, Marcia Chou, senior in FAA, also sells her items on Etsy. However, Chou is currently in the process of developing her own website, as her shop was recently developed in the spring. Chou sells small pots and said that selling them gives her both a sense of independence and a rewarding feeling. “The best thing about this for me is when people see something that I designed and made with my own hands and say, ‘I need this in my life,’” she said. Her inspiration stems from her parents who are in interior design, as well as from her passion for nature and energy. Chou originally became interested in selling her pots when she and a friend were looking for succulents at the Home Depot. Goodwill was the next stop, where Chou found unique vases and glasses to complete the presentation. As she developed a passion for creating her planters, she

began selling her creations in her parents’ store before selling them on campus. Challenges are an inevitable part of business, and Chou experienced this at the start of setting up shop. “No one bought anything at fi rst,” Chou said. “It’s not about people liking your product, it’s because people just don’t know about it.” Planting is more than just throwing plants together in a vase. For Chou, she fi nds a unique setting for the plants and adds elements of design such as crystals. Chou’s passion for creation doesn’t stop at planters: she designs rings as well. She invested in a kiln that helps her design rings to her liking. “It’s complicated to make a ring. First you have to size it and continue to paste the clay to keep it moist,” she said. “You have to carve the ring, and then fi re it for two hours in the kiln. After that you have to tumble the ring in order to give it shine.” Chou’s long-term plan is to eventually sell her designs to oversea vendors and have her designs duplicated. As for now, she is developing an interest in ceramic sculpting and hopes to incorporate that into her collection. “This is my outlet,” she said. “I’m the happiest when I am selling something or making something.”

features@dailyillini.com

Career fairs are about more than just dressing to impress employers BY NATASHA MOSQUERA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Vincent Yang showed up to the ACES and Sciences Career Fair last Thursday with his resumes and research summaries in hand. Yang graduated with a Master’s degree in Chemistry this past May. He said his eventual career goal is to be a research scientist leading or assisting drug discovery in prominent pharmaceutical companies. Career fairs for individual colleges and the entire University are held every semester to provide students and postgraduates with the opportunity to talk about future job prospects with recruiters from a variety of companies. Yang said there’s more to a career fair than just dressing up and typing and printing out your resumes. “It’s not always as simple as that because you have to research into all the companies that you wish to talk to, and quoting one of my friends, ‘Looking for a job is just as hard as working for that job itself,’ and it requires a lot of investment in terms of time and effort,” he said. Yang said that while

career fairs may be more geared toward undergraduate students, he doesn’t think he’s at a significant disadvantage. “I might be more advantaged for experienced positions, but for entry-level positions, they probably might comment on me saying, ‘I think you’re kind of overqualified for this position,’” he said. “But I mean, I have to give it all I got because even if it’s like an entry-level position, it’s an option, so I would still apply because who knows? Maybe an experienced position will open up in that company.” Todd Ashpole is the sales and marketing manager at AgVenture Pinnacle, a seed and chemical crop protection company. Ashpole said his company has been attending the University’s career fairs for about 15 years. He said that they keep coming back because of the talented students they fi nd here. Ashpole said his company looks for students who can wow them. “It’s their ability to communicate. Show confidence. You know, have good posture and to be able to do that consistently, not just that

five-minute conversation I had with them at the booth,” he said. “But if we decide to interview them, that they bring that same type of enthusiasm to the interview process and come prepared to answer questions. I would say that students here at the U of I are some of the most prepared as far as going into the interview process.” Over time, Ashpole said his company has hired between 25 and 30 University students, both as interns and full-time hires. He also said they are not currently looking for an exact number. “We’re always looking for good people, and good people can be tough to fi nd, especially in this business,” he said. “It’s a challenging business, so we’re hoping to fi nd as many of those as we possibly can.” Rachel Baits, senior in LAS, said she thought the career fair went really well. “I really like all the employers that the University brings in,” she said. “I think there’s a diverse option for every student. Like, I’m a biology major and a lot of people think that you can’t fi nd employment as a biology undergrad,

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Art of Time Ensemble performs Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band // Marquee

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UI Philharmonia // School of Music

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Students wait to talk to potential employers at the ACES Career Fair at the ARC on Oct. 6. Career fairs give students experience talking to employers, even if they don’t get a job. but I talked to a bunch of companies that were really interested in some of my experiences, so I think the University is doing a really good job with these.” She explained how dressing up is a way to impress employers. “It kind of makes you feel more confident, more put together, and you know we’re all told to give that

elevator pitch and explain why we’re so great, and I just feel a little bit better doing it in a business suit versus, you know, gym clothes, so I think it’s a huge confidence boost for everybody,” she said. Baits said career fairs are really helpful even if you don’t land a job or an internship. “You’re getting that

interview experience and you’re getting that time to present yourself as a professional,” she said. “I’m a lot more comfortable in my skin, and I know how to talk to employers and how to make eye contact so it’s not awkward. I think it’s just good practice for professional decorum overall.”

nmosque2@dailyillini.com

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD Across

1 Given to eavesdropping 5 Cry made repeatedly while slapping the forehead 9 C in shop class? 14 Gets to 15 Big brother’s victim, once 16 Like perfect games vis-à-vis no-hitters 17 Jet 18 Montana Indians 19 Post with many rules 20 One rushing to work, for short? 21 Manner 22 Google ___ 23 What babies do in their first two years 25 “Nacho Libre” star, 2006 27 Driveway covering 30 Nintendo dinosaur 31 Elf’s foe 32 “___ la Vida,” #1 Coldplay album 33 Lead-in to long 35 Where waves come in? 36 First place 37 1966 #1 Rolling Stones hit 41 People holding on to secrets 43 Second 44 Many a metrosexual 46 It might have a street name: Abbr. 47 J. follower 48 ___ diavolo (sauce) 49 Assays 53 Football player’s application 54 Ingredient in some chili and burritos 55 Words sometimes followed by “It’s nothing”

36 41

49 55

54 56

puzzle by joanne sullivan

56 When leaves 56-Across 58 Info for a dating site 60 Napoleonic ___ 61 Director Kurosawa 63 Person whose work shines 64 Ban 65 Comments from ones who are all thumbs? 66 Bygone Broadway critic Walter 67 Like Cookie Monster and Grover 68 Cast out 69 Flooring calculation 70 Cheek

4 Haute couture inits. 5 Actor Willem 6 There’s an app for that 7 1998 Brad Pitt film 8 Crispy lunch 9 What old knees may do 10 Product from soot 11 Former Haitian president 12 Man’s name that’s Latin for “honey” 13 Wrest open 21 Italian Fascist 22 “In Flanders Fields” poet John 24 What orange is said to be 26 Biblical region from Down which the name of a 1 Fine point language is derived 2 Cry from a Veronese 28 High, as a guess lover 29 Frittata equipment 3 Carefully avoids, with “around”

32 1990 #1 hit for Alannah Myles 34 Gustave with a tower named after him 37 Tempo 38 Like an atrium 39 Obsession 40 Part of a battle cry 42 Solvent 45 1960s-’70s radical 50 E. preceder 51 Set of ankle bones 52 California and Baja California 54 Really good time 55 Grammy category 57 Witchcraft 59 Bygone days 61 Took in 62 Gunpowder holder 63 Some music of the Wailers 64 Reduced weight?

The crossword solution is in the Classified section.

LIFE & CULTURE

THURSDAY October 13, 2016 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF DARRELL HOEMANN

The “That’s What She Said” ensemble prepares to take a bow after last year’s performance. The show will return as part of LadyFest at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

LadyFest bridges women’s experiences with C-U audience BY MERAL AYCICEK CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When Kerry Rossow co-founded the “That’s What She Said” project four years ago, she couldn’t have imagined how impactful it would be for the Champaign-Urbana community. Now in its fourth year, the project is bigger than ever with seven speakers and more than 1200 expected participants. “That’s What She Said” will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Virginia Theater. It is the main event of LadyFest, a series of events designed specifically for women to share their stories and celebrate one another. In four days, LadyFest aims to show women their own strength, introduce them to other strong women in the Champaign-Urbana community and inspire a younger generation of women to discover and exercise their strength. “All the women who participate in this build each other up and support and encourage each other. None of our people are professional speak-

ers, and the idea is that you can throw a dart and anybody could be on that stage,” Rossow said. This year’s speakers feature women spanning many generations who will touch on a wide range of topics from friendship to domestic violence. Debbie Hensleigh, personal life coach, will speak at the event. The topic of her speech is “Which Old Woman Will I Be?” Hensleigh said it is important for women to get to know and support each other from a young age rather than judging and breaking each other down. “The women you meet today will be your best friends when you’re 42, and it doesn’t all end in college,” Rossow said. The goal of “That’s What She Said” is for every member in the audience to connect with at least one of the speakers and for the speakers’ stories to be mirrors or windows into the audience members’ own lives. If an audience member sees that the speaker went through a similar

struggle, they feel less alone because they see their story mirrored in the speaker’s story, Rossow said. If an audience member hears about an unfamiliar problem that a speaker went through, they have a window into that woman’s life and are better prepared to face the same problem if they were to ever go through something similar. “There is tremendous value in women hearing one another’s stories. It’s really easy to think that as women — and as humans — that what we’re going through is unique to us but we’re all going through similar things,” Hensleigh said. Another speaker at the event is Mary Enright. Her speech, “Afternoon Delight,” explores a shift in perspective Enright experienced one afternoon, changing her life. Enright said that like her personal experience, LadyFest is about gaining new perspectives. “The stories are funny and heartwarming. It gives perspective as to what life is going to be like when you’re 40, 70, a grandma.

We’re all on this journey together and we’re all just trying our best,” Enright said. All three women stressed the importance of college students attending LadyFest. Hensleigh said it’s a great way to break out of the college bubble and do something inspirational and fun with your girlfriends. “I think this is a really great opportunity. When you’re in college you start feeling like an adult, and this is an adult event. It’s a time that you can be around 1,200 women instead of your high school graduating class,” Hensleigh said. Rossow said this event will bring students together and allow them to build solid foundations of support and friendship that will last a lifetime. “Just go and cut loose. Don’t overthink it. By the end of the evening you’re going to have a whole bunch of new friends and you’re not going to want to leave,” Enright said.

aycicek2@dailyillini.com

University play puts unique twist on ‘The Simpsons’ BY EMMA PALATNIK STAFF WRITER

“Mr. Burns, a post-electric play” opens in a post-apocalyptic United States. Stars shine on the ceiling, crickets chirp and a fire blazes. Four people sit in a dim forest, talking about Matt Groening’s animated show, “The Simpsons.” The production will run Thusday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 20-22 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. It is in Colwell Playhouse in the Krannert Center and is sponsored by Illinois Theater. Standard tickets are $25, and student tickets are $10. The play was first performed in 2012 and the playwright, Anne Washburn, received the 2015 Whiting Award for Drama. “Mr. Burns” has three acts, but does not follow a traditional style of a play. Each act tells a different story, but are all connected by one theme: “The Simpsons.” Director Lisa Gaye Dixon said everything about “Mr. Burns” is odd because

it requires audience members to think deeply. It is not something that a viewer can watch with minimal effort. The first act shows a postapocalyptic world where the characters discuss an episode of “The Simpsons” to get them through the hard times and remind them of who they are, Dixon said. The survivors try to recall the episode, “Cape Feare” and disagree over what actually happens. When a new character enters, they compare notebooks filled with names of their loved ones and people they have encountered. The second act follows seven years later; the survivors have formed a theater troupe where they reenact episodes from “The Simpsons.” Their show contains “Simpsons” content, commercials and a capella music. Actors are in competition with other troupes and fight to “buy” lines that people recall from old episodes. The third act jumps 75

years into the future. The past characters are long gone. A piano, guitar and a drum appear on stage, and the actors take turns playing them. The “Cape Feare” episode is now an operaticmusical. Mr. Burns, along with his side-kicks Itchy and Scratchy, are after Bart and want to murder him, but Bart refuses to let that happen. The play closes with all the actors at the edge of the stage, holding sparklers. They raise them to the sky and sing as the lights dim. Ensemble member Esther Fishbein said her favorite moment is at the end of act two when a character walks in and a shootout occurs. The three women, including her, are protecting everyone. She said it “gives me a moment of empowerment.” Throughout the entire play, the idea of stories is an underlying theme. “No matter what, as human beings, we always need to tell stories, to com-

M - TH 4PM - 9PM FRI: 4PM - 10PM SAT: 11AM - 10PM SUN: 11AM - 9PM

municate with each other, to make each other laugh, to comfort, to connect,” Dixon said. Fishbein said she hopes that the audience will think about what America’s future would be like if an apocalypse were to happen. She said it’s cool that they resort to theater in the play, but questioned what other would people turn to. While the premise of the play is based on the popular television cartoon, there is more to the play than a dramatic retelling of a “Simpsons” episode. “I really hope that people aren’t just coming to see it for ‘The Simpsons’ aspect of it, or because they have a class,” Dixon said. “People need to think about, ‘Oh my god what happens if the grid goes down? What happens to America if the grid goes down?’ And I guess in this election season we should probably be thinking about that.”

emmacp2@dailyillini.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF DARRELL HOEMANN

The cast in the second scene of a rehearsal of “Mr. Burns, a PostElectric Play” in the Colwell Playhouse at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday. Directed by Lisa Gaye Dixon, the play runs Oct. 13-23.

Title of Event: Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play Date/Time: October 13-15 at 7:30 pm, October 20-22 at 7:30 pm, October 23 at 3 pm Location: Colwell Playhouse in the Krannert Center Ticket prices: Standard $25, Senior $24, Student $15, UI Student $10, Youth $10 Sponsor: Illinois Theater

THURSDAY October 13, 2016 The Daily Illini DailyIllini.com

SPORTS

Two Faced

From Gabriel to Gooey, Megginson finds his place through his humor BY JOEY FIGUEROA STAFF WRITER

Illinois football’s starting left guard has a split personality. On the field is Gabriel Joshua Megginson, a hulking 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman who is making a name for himself in his fi rst season as a full-time blocker in the Big Ten. Off the field is Gooey Megginson, a sophomore from Jacksonville, Illinois, who prides himself in cracking jokes, making people uncomfortable and fi nding the dankest memes on Twitter. This is no Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde situation, though — more often than not, Gooey takes control over Gabriel, and that’s just how Megginson likes it. “I just like to let it loose, that’s me,” Megginson said. “I don’t like to be serious all the time.” It only takes about 10 minutes with Megginson to realize that ‘serious’ certainly isn’t the word to describe him. He showed the general public just how far from serious he can be during an off-kilter interview with the Big Ten Network at the end of September. Topics spanned the hypnotic power of Megginson’s eyes, his c at-fo c use d fashion sense and his love for Egyptians and Mariah Carey. Although Megginson is well into his second season with Illinois, some of his teammates

didn’t truly know how odd he could be until seeing his coming out party on BTN. “I know the kid’s a pretty weird guy, but that interview made me think a lot differently of what I thought of him originally,” junior offensive lineman Christian DiLauro said. “He went a little more off the rails than I thought he would on that one.” Every football team is full of unique personalities, but Megginson has separated himself with his unorthodox sense of humor that remains present in the locker room no matter the situation. This wasn’t always the case, though. Megginson struggled to find his voice last seas o n w h e n he redshirte d in

Wilkes puts Illinois on top-three list Illini-hoops columnist

ris Wilkes made a major decision last week. He did not announce a commitment to Illinois or any school for that matter. But he did make things a lot more interesting for his recruiters, especially John Groce. On Oct. 6, the 6-foot-8 wing narrowed his list of five schools down to three. He eliminated Xavier and Connecticut, and he is now only considering offers from UCLA, Indiana and Illinois. The five-star recruit made official visits to each of his top-three schools. His first was with the Illini on the weekend of Sept. 9. Wilkes then visited UCLA on Sept. 23 and Indiana on Sept. 30. He was originally scheduled to visit Xavier in late October and Connecticut in early November. This is great news for Illinois. Early in the recruiting process for Wilkes, Illinois was nev-

er a serious candidate. Scouts have always had the Indianapolis native leaning toward UCLA or Indiana. For Wilkes to include Illinois in his topthree means there was something that caught his attention. I think Illinois is clear from the Jalen Brunson effect for now. The Brunson effect occurred when the highly sought after guard from Lincolnshire, Illinois cancelled all of his remaining official visits after trips to Illinois and Villanova, eventually committing to the Wildcats. If Wilkes had his mind set on a school, he would have announced his decision to cancel his remaining visits earlier. I also don’t think he would include Illinois in his fi nal list. Instead, I believe he would narrow it down to his top-two choices right away. His fi nal list is an interesting one to examine. If you stack up Illinois, UCLA and Indiana, the Illini are blown out of the water in comparison.

SEE WILKES | 4B

two loss at North Carolina. “I was like ‘Alright, I’m just going to be quiet the rest of the year,” Megginson said. “It was just being that scared little freshman — we all were. I was

r e a l ly trying not to get in the way of things. But now I’m trying to be funny around the locker room and trying to talk to everybody.” For much of his redshirt season, Megginson was on the non-travel list, which served to be a blessing in disguise for his search for a voice. The scout

his fi rst year as an Illini. As is his custom, Megginson searched for opportunities to crack

ON BASKETBALL

MATT GERTSMEIER

a joke or showcase his strange side, but it took him a while to build the necessary comfort — especially after trying and failing to be funny following the week

team allowed Megginson to become good friends with sophomore offensive lineman Matt Long, also known as the leader and co-creator of the Illini Goon Squad. The Goon Squad is an unoffi cial group within the team that prioritizes their own unique sense of humor, or “goonery,” above all else. Much of their exploits can be seen on their own personal Twitter page, which has garnered over 200 followers since being created in August. According to Megginson, init i at io n is ultra-exclusive and requires the completion of a “goon-off.” “I wasn’t even initiated until the last game of the season last year,” Megginson said. “It was really just like, ‘Hey we’re scout team dudes, we were just here (in Champaign) last year, so let’s be some freakin’ goons. We just go out there and have some fun.” Further information on a goon-off is classified according to Megginson. With the support of the Goon Squad behind him, Megginson has allowed his true personality to flourish in all situations this season. He shines the brightest in the locker room, where he spearheads conversations on where the O-line

will get their next meal — or “diesel fuel up” as he put it — and takes control of the aux cord to play his favorite jam, “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” by Travis Tritt. It’s these small locker room interactions that have allowed Megginson to fi nd his niche. “As a freshman last year, I didn’t feel as involved, but now it’s cool feeling a little older and staying together no matter what,” Megginson said. “These are my dudes.” As the Illini suffer through their fi rst fourgame losing streak since 2013, the type of levity Megginson can provide is as important as ever. He said he enjoys taking it upon himself to cut down on the seriousness of football by bringing humor — no matter how weird his version may be — to the team. “At the end of the day, having guys like Gabe helps you calm yourself down from thinking the worst things,” DiLauro said. “It just helps to make it a lot better experience for yourself and for the team in general. He keeps the morale up.” And although Megginson’s humor always comes in good nature, he certainly keeps the rest of his teammates on their toes. “You can only imagine what’s going on in his head,” DiLauro said. “I try to make people feel uncomfortable,” Megginson said. “That’s a goal of mine.”

jfiguer2@dailyillini.com @joeyfigueroa3

FOOTBALL

AUSTIN YATTONI THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois running back Kendrick Foster runs through a tackle for a touchdown during the game against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Foster and the other running backs will play a big role this weekend.

Illinois prepares to face Rutgers in battle of the beatens BY COLE HENKE STAFF WRITER

In its last two games, the Illinois football team has allowed the game to get away. Illinois had the lead against then No. 15 Nebraska in the fourth quarter, when the Cornhuskers converted on a crucial fourth-

and-1 in the Illini’s red zone and the Illini never got it back. Last week, Purdue topped Illinois in overtime after the Illini missed a field goal with three seconds left in the fourth quarter. While Rutgers has also lost its past two games, the Scarlet Knights never gave

themselves a chance; in their last two games against Ohio State and Michigan, they have lost by a combined 136 points. The huge deficits over the past two games may look bad, but offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said Rutgers is a lot better than those scores show.

“The issue with Rutgers is that they got beat really bad last week, so you think they are not really good,” McGee said. “But they are a lot more talented than the numbers say. They have big kids, and they are physical in the defensive front.” Rutgers biggest weak-

SEE RUTGERS| 4B

George has breakout performance in pair of weekend upset wins BY MASAKI SUGIMOTO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ILLINI OF THE

WEEK

AUSTIN YATTONI THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois’ Patricia George dribbles the ball down the field during the game against Illinois State at Illnois Soccer Stadium on Aug. 21. George led the Illini against Michigan State this weekend.

Editor’s note: The Daily Illini sports desk sits down each week and decides which Illinois athlete or coach is our Illini of the Week. Athletes and coaches are evaluated by individual performance and contribution to team success. Before this weekend, Illinois soccer had only scored eight goals. But they swept their opponents over the weekend, outscoring Michigan and Michigan State 6-1, and sophomore forward Patricia George was instrumental in that campaign. Coming off of the momentum from shutting out No. 19 Michigan, George had her breakout against Michigan State, scoring two goals. She is the fi rst Illini to score multiple times in a game this

season. The game reminded George of her time in high school as an all-state player and leader on her team. G e orge’s offensive explosion is attributed to her increased awareness on the field and hard work. “She is starting to play with her teammates and sees when it is time to shoot and when it is time to hand the ball off,” Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield said. George’s journey to this point was not easy. She was a multi-sport athlete at Von Steuben Metropolitan High School in Chicago, playing basketball and running track and cross-country. In soccer, George’s main experience came from the Chicago Public League. But many of her

teammates and peers in the Big Ten participated in club soccer. George now sees some of the top competition in the nation, and the Big Ten features defending national champion Penn State. “Freshman year I felt whenever I would get on the field, I would not play confident with the ball,” George said. George didn’t score her freshman year but competed in 18 games, so she decided to dedicate herself to improving her game. “The amount of work she put in this spring is really admirable.” Rayfield said. “Her fitness level has gone from someone who didn’t know what to expect to someone who now understands her fitness level.”

SEE GEORGE | 4B

Thursday, October 13, 2016

THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

ON FOOTBALL

Is there a case for Chayce as quarterback? KEVIN MCCARTHY Football columnist

you’ve gotten this far — and yes, I realize this is my fi rst sentence — then you’re probably one of the following people: one, a curious Illini fan; two, an angry, all-knowing Illini fan, inclined to shout “blasphemy” after simply reading the headline; or three, my mother. She faithfully reads this space each week. I realize I’m painting with a broad brush here, but I imagine most of you fall into one of these categories. Let me be clear: If healthy, Wes Lunt is the Illini starting quarterback. Plain and simple. On the radio and in my weekly column, I’ve been a Wes Lunt supporter throughout the years. Though my fervency for Wes has faltered in recent weeks due to a couple of lousy performances from the signal caller, I have

not lost hope in Lunt. That being said, I believe there is a case to be made for Chayce Crouch. A good one. On Saturday, showing shades of Reilly O’Toole, Crouch played with obvious passion and competitiveness, something we don’t always see from Lunt. In pumping his fist, diving into the end zone and launching his body at defenders, Crouch energized Memorial Stadium and gave his team a chance to win. We all know what happened in overtime. He fumbled the football. You just can’t do that. But let’s not forget what he did the rest of the game. For many, including the Illini coaching staff, this decision seems like an easy one. Go with Lunt. I think there’s more to consider here. Let’s take a look at three big questions surrounding this quarterback controversy — if I can even call it that.

Who gives you the best chance to win?

ILLINI SCHEDULE

Even in a year where it looks like it’ll be difficult to grind out three victories, winning matters. I go back and forth on which quarterback actually gives the Illini a better chance to win. I look at the North Carolina and Nebraska games, where Lunt helped the Illini to hang around. But he never played particularly well. At best this season, he’s been a game-manager; and at worst, he’s looked unconfident, incapable and well, bad. But as I said, he’s helped them to hang around. Could Crouch have done the same? It’s impossible to know.

Many folks doubt Crouch’s ability to be effective against more difficult Big Ten opponents. The apparent solution to stopping him is simple: stack the box to stop the run. I understand the sentiment, except I feel like many are undermining Crouch’s ability to throw the football. Look, he’s no Tom Brady, and he never will be, but the dude can toss the pigskin around. He is, in my opinion, a dual-threat quarterback. After Saturday’s game, I think it’s unfair to call him one-dimensional. Crouch’s ability to run the football, coupled with the gusto he brings

I don’t want to come off as a Luntdefector ... but my point is this: Chayce Crouch’s play Saturday deserves a second look.

SEPT. 3 MURRAY STATE — W, 52-3 SEPT. 10 NORTH CAROLINA — L, 48-23 SEPT. 17 WESTERN MICHIGAN — L, 34-10 OCT. 1 AT NEBRASKA — L, 16-31

to the field, make the above question difficult to answer.

wouldn’t the Illini give Lunt a chance to prove himself to NFL scouts?

What makes sense for the Closing thoughts There’s so much to confuture of the program? The answer here is obvious: It makes more sense to give reps to the sophomore. Whether or not Crouch will lead the team for the next two years is yet to be seen, but it could be easily argued taht you may as well give him the chance.

What about Wes Lunt’s NFL chances?

Oh yeah. Some still believe this guy has NFL capabilities. With his big frame, bigger arm, poise in the pocket and composure: You’ve all heard it a thousand times. It needs to be considered.

What would happen to those NFL chances if Lunt rode the bench all season?

How could you do that to a player who’s given this program so much? Plus, this season is essentially meaningless, so why

OCT. 8 PURDUE — L, 31-34 OCT. 15 AT RUTGERS — 11 A.M. OCT. 22 AT MICHIGAN — 2:30 P.M. OCT. 29 MINNESOTA — 11 A.M.

NEW BIG TEN LOGOS

BIG TEN PRIMARY LOGO

STANDINGS

sider in this debate. I don’t want to come off as a Lunt-defector, because I’m certainly not one, but my point is this: Chayce Crouch’s play Saturday deserves a second look. All things considered, I still expect Lunt, once he’s fully healthy, to take the reigns of this offense for the rest of the season. I also expect Chayce Crouch to have an expanded role as the season moves along. He proved that he can be an impactful player. Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee will fi nd ways to get him involved in the offense, no doubt. There is certainly a case to be made for Chayce. But at least for now, it seems like the Illini will roll with Lunt. Kevin is a junior in Media. komccar2@dailyillini.com @KevOMcCarthy

NOV. 5 MICHIGAN STATE — TBA NOV. 12 AT WISCONSIN — 2:30 P.M. NOV. 19 AT IOWA — TBA NOV. 26 AT NORTHWESTERN — TBA

WEEK THREE SCHEDULE

BIG TEN T0URNAMENT LOGOS

EAST DIVISION CONF.

MICHIGAN OHIO STATE PENN STATE MARYLAND INDIANA MICHIGAN STATE RUTGERS

3-0 2-0 2-1 1-1 1-1 0-2 0-3

OVERALL

6-0 5-0 4-2 4-1 3-2 2-3 2-4

WEST DIVISION NEBRASKA IOWA WISCONSIN PURDUE NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA ILLINOIS

SATURDAY

CONF. OVERALL

2-0 2-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 0-2 0-2

5-0 4-2 4-1 3-2 2-3 3-2 1-4

ILLINOIS VS. RUTGERS 11 A.M. MINNESOTA VS. MARYLAND 11 A.M. IOWA VS. PURDUE 11 A.M. NO. 10 NEBRASKA VS. INDIANA 2:30 P.M. NORTHWESTERN VS. MICHIGAN STATE 2:30 P.M. NO. 2 OHIO STATE VS.NO. 8 WISCONSIN 7 P.M.

— VS. —

ILLINOIS

RUTGERS

MALIK TURNER — WIDE RECEIVER

Turner made headlines last week with his acrobatic, one-handed catch after the jump ball was tipped by a defender. The 38-yard completion was a large chunk of Turner’s 129 yards on the day, and Sportscenter showcased the play as its No. 2 top play last Saturday. Turner will hope to turn in another strong performance this week against a Rutgers defense that allowed 78 points to Michigan last week. The junior has been quarterback Wes Lunt’s favorite target this season, totaling 409 receiving yards and three touchdowns. When Lunt went down with a back injury last week, Chayce Crouch still targeted Turner. No matter which quarterback starts this weekend, expect Turner to have another strong performance.

ROBERT MARTIN — RUNNING BACK

Martin has been one of the few bright spots on the Rutgers offense this season. Through six games, Martin has accumulated 420 yards on the ground with one touchdown. He has been a workhorse for the Scarlet Knights, receiving 81 carries to go along with three receptions. In the last two weeks, Martin’s numbers have dropped off due to the team’s inability to score. In the two losses to Ohio State and Michigan, Martin gained a total of 62 yards. The Illini do not have the high talent level defense that the Buckeyes and Wolverines possess, so Martin should have a better game this Saturday.

THE

ROSTERS

ILLINOIS

RUTGERS

Eye on the enemy: Rutgers linebackers

OFFENSE

QB Wes Lunt 12 RB Reggie Corbin 2 FB Nathan Echard 39 WR Justin Hardee 19 WR Malik Turner 11 WR Zach Grant 88 LT Darta Lee 61 LG Gabe Megginson 72 C Joe Spencer 71 RG Nick Allegretti 53 RT Christian DiLauro 67

SPECIAL TEAMS:

K Chase McLaughlin 43 P Ryan Frain 13 LS Michael Martin 56

DEFENSE

DE Dawuane Smoot 91 DT Chunky Clements 11 DT Rob Bain 16 DE Carroll Phillips 6 WLB Julian Jones 2 MLB Hardy Nickerson10 SLB Tré Watson 33 CB Jaylen Dunlap 1 FS Taylor Barton 3 SS Patrick Nelson 21 CB Darius Mosely 24

KO Ryan Frain 13 KR Kendrick Foster 22 PR Darius Mosely 24

ILLINOIS LEADERS Passing Wes Lunt 78-129, 840 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Kendrick Foster 41 carries, 276 yards, 4 TDs

Receiving Malik Turner 29 catches, 409 yards, 3 TDs Justin Hardee 10 catches, 101 yards Ainslie Johnson 5 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD

SCARLET KNIGHTS SCHEDULE

Despite giving up 130+ points over the last two games, the defense has probably been the strongest part of the Scarlet Knights’ football team this season. Before the last two weeks, they gave up no more than 28 points in a game, and held opponents to 14 or less points twice. Much of their success has come from linebackers Deonte Roberts and Trevor Morris. The two have combined for 84 tackles on the season, recording 43 and 41 respectively — good for first and second on the team. If the pair can keep the Illinois run game in check they will have a good shot at victory this weekend.

Eye on the Illini: Illini linebackers

Though the team is struggling overall, Rutger’s offense has debatably been even more lacking than the defense so far. Last week against Michigan they failed to break 50 yards on the game, and if the Illinois linebackers can mirror the Wolverines performance then the Rutgers offense is in trouble. This season Illini linebackers Hardy Nickerson and Tré Watson are first and second in team tackles with 47 and 32, respectively. If the duo can continue to make tackles and stop the opponent from making big plays, the Illini will have a good shot at bringing home a win from New Jersey.

History

Since Rutgers is still new to the Big Ten, this will be only the third ever matchup between the Scarlet Knights and the Illini. The teams played twice in 2005 and 2006, splitting the games.

Did you know?

So far this season, the attendance numbers for football games are up by almost 7,000 more fans per game than last year. The Illini are currently averaging 48,295 fans per game, with a season high of 60,670 against North Carolina on Sept. 10.

SEPT. 3 AT WASHINGTON — L, 48-13 SEPT. 10 HOWARD — W, 52-14 SEPT. 17 NEW MEXICO — W, 37-28 SEPT. 24 IOWA — L, 14-7

OFFENSE

QB Chris Laviano 5 RB Robert Martin 7 WR Andre Patton 88 WR Jawuan Harris 3 WR John Tsimis 84 TE Nick Arcidiacono 42 LT Tariq Cole 65 LG Dorian Miller 60 C Derrick Nelson 69 RG Chris Muller 70 RT J.J. Denman 77

SPECIAL TEAMS: K David Bonagura 98 P Michael Cintron 94 LS Alan Lucy 85

DEFENSE

DE Darnell Davis Jr. 59 NT Sebastian Joseph 51 DT Darius Hamilton 91 DE Julian Pinnix-Odrick 53 WLB Trevor Morris 15 MLB Deonte Roberts 26 SLB Tyreek MaddoxWilliams 44 CB Isaiah Wharton 11 S Anthony Cioffi 31 S Kiy Hester 2 CB Blessaun Austin 10

KR Josh Hicks 8 PR Jawuan Harris 3

RUTGERS LEADERS Passing Chris Laviano 63-133, 686 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INT Rushing Robert Martin 81 rushes, 420 yards, 1 TD

OCT. 1 AT OHIO STATE — L, 58-0 OCT. 8 MICHIGAN — L, 78-0 OCT. 15 ILLINOIS — 11 A.M. OCT. 22 AT MINNESOTA — 11 A.M.

Receiving Janarion Grant 20 catches, 210 yards Jawuan Harris 13 catches, 199 yards, 2 TDs Andre Patton 8 catches, 108 yards, 3 TDs

NOV. 5 INDIANA — TBA NOV. 12 AT MICHIGAN STATE — TBA NOV. 19 PENN STATE — 7 P.M. NOV. 25 AT MARYLAND — TBA

THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

Thursday, October 13, 2016

ON FOOTBALL

Illinois football’s record badly needs Rutgers win CHARLOTTE CARROLL Sports editor

AUSTIN YATTONI THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt passes the ball during the game against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. He exited the game with an injury and is questionable this weekend..

llinois football’s game against Rutgers this week is shaping up to be about as exciting as watching paint dry. It’s the battle of the Big Ten’s basement teams, the toilet bowl and whatever else you can come up with for a game that decides the conference’s last-place team. Some truly riveting stuff. Needless to say, there isn’t a lot of genuine interest in the game, besides from those who are playing in it. But there will be an interest if the score goes in Rutgers’ favor — Illini fans haven’t been too happy with the finished results of the last few games. North Carolina and Western Michigan are both good teams. The Nebraska loss was close and Illinois let the opportunity slip away in the fourth quarter. Purdue was just another example of Illinois letting momentum slip and not sealing a victory.

The biggest hindrance for the Illini has been penalties on both sides of the ball. From unsportsmanlike conduct to simple mistakes, players haven’t proven to exhibit the discipline they said they have. When asked about if he was too lax earlier this week, head coach Lovie Smith responded in disbelief with the now infamous emotional “Are you freaking kidding me?” It’s clear that he is frustrated. Not just by this question, but by the results on the field. Most fans, at least reasonable ones, realize a coach can’t come into a program and suddenly win 10 games. Those results take time through recruiting and building a program based one’s own style. However, most fans likely also didn’t expect to be 1-4 heading into the last game of the first half of the season. I expected the team to be at 3-2 at this point. With the toughest part of their schedule ahead of them, the Illini needed those early wins. Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan State will not come easy for Illinois as evidenced by years past and those team’s

current records. This week, though many might not want to watch, is an important one for Illinois so it can at least secure a two-win season. Starting quarterback Wes Lunt has not practiced this week, and Smith has not yet said whether he will be playing Saturday after suffering a back injury against Purdue. Back-up Chayce Crouch gave an impressive performance, minus the overtime fumble. Illinois has kept it close in its last few games, competing, but not finishing the game. Rutgers, on the other hand, hasn’t been in a game the last two weeks, losing by a combined 136 points to Ohio State and Michigan. The Scarlet Knights didn’t put up any points in those games — I realize that it’s Ohio State and Michigan. That’s a whole different ballgame. The Illini need to take advantage of the Scarlet Knights’ negative track instead of tripping over their own blunders of the last two weeks.

Charlotte is a senior in Media. cmcarro2@dailyillini.com @charlottecrrll

FOOTBALL

Across Enemy Lines: Q & A with Rutgers’ The Daily Targum

The Daily Illini:

How far away is Rutgers from being a legitimate force in the Big Ten?

Eric Mullin: There was a lot of positive vibes surrounding the program from the second Chris Ash took the reigns of the program right through Rutgers’ tight 14-7 loss to a slightly-aboveaverage Iowa team in the conference opener. While no one expected Rutgers to upset Ohio State nor Michigan, I don’t think anyone expected it to get that outof-hand in both games. But when it did, the Knights really had nothing to show for on either side of the ball. More than anything, the last two games were a reality check to how wide the talent gap is between the upper-echelon teams in the Big Ten and Rutgers. DI:

What is the main improvement heading into the Illinois game?

EM: The offense, the offense and the offense. Yes, Rutgers’ defense has given up 136 points across 1,269 yards of total offense over the past two games, but its offense hasn’t given it any help. In the past eight quarters the Knights have compiled 155 yards and 11 fi rst downs. They’ve also punted 31 times, which is one more punt than Illinois has all season. Life without Janarion Grant, who went down with a season-ending injury against Iowa, has

been tough for the Knights to adjust to.

DI: Is there a player or position group on the team that has provided a silver lining thus far this season? EM: I’m not sure if there’s a single position group that has provided a silver lining, but a couple players on each side of the ball jump out. Despite little production in the last two games, Robert Martin is still averaging 5.2 yards per carry across 81 rushes. Jawuan Harris, a multi-sport athlete who was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman team this past baseball season, started football season as a depth player at the wide receiver position, but has risen to the Knights’ go-to player on the outside in Grant’s absence. On defense, Julian Pinnix- Odrick is putting together a career season as a fi fth-year senior with 23 tackles, four sacks and five tackles for loss from the defensive end position. At cornerback, Isaiah Wharton has quietly had a really solid season. DI: What player/position from Illinois do you think will cause the most problems for Rutgers? EM: Chayce Crouch. The dual-threat quarterback could cause a lot of problems for Rutgers’ defense if he gets the starting nod on Saturday. Crouch is lethal in the running game and has been efficient through the air as well. The Knights have had their struggles against dual-threat quarterbacks this season, which is why Crouch will likely be the game’s x-factor. DI: Do you think Rutgers is better than Illinois?

EM: Yes, but that doesn’t mean much going into Saturday. Saturday is the battle of the Big Ten’s basement. Yes, Rutgers is probably better than Illinois, but that doesn’t mean the Fighting Illini can’t leave Piscataway with a win. What we do know for sure is that both of these teams aren’t very good, which is why Saturday is essentially a toss-up. DI: Do you think Rutgers is better than how they performed during the last few weeks?

MATCHUPS

THE

Editor’s Note: Every week The Daily Illini football staff will chat with a sports reporter from the opposing team. This week, our staff talked with Eric Mullin who is the associate sports editor for Rutgers’ The Daily Targum.

EM: I don’t think the last couple weeks are the right barometer to gauge just how good/bad this Rutgers team is. The Knights’ fi nal six conference games is when we’ll fi nd out which tier of the Big Ten Rutgers falls in. Starting with the Illini, Rutgers closes out the season with Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan State, Penn State and Maryland. No more powerhouses, nor top-25 opponents. Simply teams that Rutgers should, at the least, remain competitive with.

COMPILED BY DI SPORTS STAFF

Battle of the punters Though it isn’t always apparent, punting and special teams in general can decide a game. This week, the two punters going at it have had their work cut out for them. Rutgers punter Michael Cintron is probably pretty sore going into this week, as he booted the ball 16 times for 604 yards with a long of 61 yards on the day in last week’s matchup with Michigan. That is compared to Illinois punter Ryan Frain, who punted just five times for a total of 201 yards. His long was 52 yards. It may not be the prettiest matchup, but whoever wins the battle of field position will definitely have a better shot at winning this game. Punting will be a major key in getting a win at Rutgers.

DI: Who would you rather see on the field, Chayce Crouch or Wes Lunt?

Trevor Morris vs. Tre Watson

EM: I don’t have an inkling of who Rutgers would prefer to see behind center for Illinois, but I can imagine it would be Lunt. He’s the more conventional quarterback and can’t hurt you much at all with his feet. And with Lunt behind center it makes the Illini’s rushing attack less complex than it is with Crouch running the offense.

Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt will have to be on the lookout for Morris this weekend. The weakside linebacker leads his team in tackles and has posted one sack on the season. Lunt’s inability to get out of the pocket may cost him this game — Morris also has one quarterback hurry. Watson, Illinois’ weakside linebacker, will also look to continue his strong season against a Rutgers offense that has failed to score in the past two weeks. Watson is the Illini’s second leading tackler and has one forced fumble this season. Expect Watson to continue his success against a desperate Rutgers offensive squad.

sports@dailyillini.com @di_sports

OURPICKS CHARLOTTE CARROLL

COLE HENKE

KEVIN MCCARTHY

JOEY FIGUEROA

JEFF OHMER

ELI SCHUSTER

Sports editor

Staff writer

Illini Drive co-host

Staff writer

Illini Drive co-host

Sports video editor

10-10

13-7

12-8

10-10

13-7

10-10

Illinois vs. Rutgers

24-17

34-31

35-24

28-10

38-17

28-17

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 8 Wisconsin

35-21

28-21

35-20

26-21

42-24

32-24

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 9 Tennesee

42-35

35-21

42-21

35-21

41-21

42-32

No. 12 Ole Miss vs. No. 22 Arkansas

27-24

24-12

24-21

20-19

28-21

28-24

North Carolina vs. No. 16 Miami

22-14

21-14

28-24

35-17

28-21

24-21

THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

Thursday, October 13, 2016

WHEELCHAIR TRACK

Bleakney finds his niche coaching Illinois wheelchair track team (the Illinois para-athletes) during the competition,’” he said. “Again, about six miles into the marathon, I said, ‘Why did I ever try to do this again?’ “I was true to my word in Rio, and I said, ‘Absolutely not.’” Instead of competing, Bleakney coached the U.S. Wheelchair Track Team in Rio and helped 13 current and former Illinois wheelchair track members win 15 total medals. But Bleakney is not yet done attempting to add to his personal collection of awards. He raced in the 2016 Chicago Marathon on Oct. 8 and fi nished in 1 hour and 38 minutes. He placed 16th overall, ahead of 2016 Illinois alumnus Ray Martin, who won two gold medals and one bronze in Rio. “As much as I love ‘marathoning’ and as much as most of the athletes love it, there’s a certain level of pain associated with that race,” Bleakney said. Bleakney said some racers become mentally and physically fatigued during marathons. The fatigue often develops into pain

BY RYAN WILSON STAFF WRITER

On the Illinois wheelchair track team, there’s not much of a difference between coach and para-athlete. Adam Bleakney has coached the team since 2005 and has competed in two Paralympic Games alongside fellow Illini. The Rio 2016 Games were his fi rst as just a coach. “As an athlete, especially at (the Paralympic) level of competition, you have to be inwardly focused and selfish to some degree,” Bleakney said. “You have to be so tuned into yourself, and I couldn’t do that (while doubling as a coach), so I had my butt kicked in Beijing.” The 2008 Beijing Games were Bleakney’s fi rst as both a coach and a competitor, and he promised himself after the Games he would never compete in the Paralympics again. But four years later, he qualified for the marathon in the London Games. “I thought, ‘Well, I can do the marathon. It’s after all the competitions, and I won’t have to worry about

after awhile. “When I was in my 20s, I think I was more inclined to tolerate the pain,” Bleakney, now 41, said. “If I didn’t hurt, I assumed I wasn’t applying myself at 100 percent.” Bleakney started wheelchair racing in Iowa. His fi rst major marathon was the 1996 Chicago Marathon at the age of 21. Four years later, he competed in the Sydney Paralympics in Australia This was the fi rst of four total Paralympics games he competed in. At the 2004 Athens Paralympics, he won silver in the 800 meters. Now, with a salt-and-pepper-colored buzz cut, Bleakney said that he’s “become more aware of (his) own mortality” as he’s gotten older. His wife, two kids and the Illinois para-athletes are his top priorities. When he is competing, he also has less of a desire to push himself to win. “I just settle into a hard, challenge pace in which I don’t keel over and die,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m exaggerating, of course, just for effect.”

THE DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO

Amanda McGrory, center, practices at the Illinois Track Stadium on April 9, 2007, with teammates Cully Mason, right, and Josh George, left, who placed 10th in the marathon. Adam Bleakney has been with the team since 20015 and helped coach these three. Even if Bleakney is no longer fi nishing on the podium, he still trains with his team. The Illinois wheelchair racers push at the Illinois Track and Field Stadium and around country roads six days a week, totaling at most 20 hours

per week. He also has what he calls his “sacred hour” over lunch during which he runs through his own training exercises. When asked whether the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics were on his radar, Bleak-

ney was quick to respond with a grin. “If I make it as a coach, then (the Illinois para-athletes) will travel with me,” he said.

FROM 1B

yards. Smith has not announced who will be starting at quarterback. In his weekly Monday press conference, Smith said that Wes Lunt is still the starting quarterback, but it’s unclear if he will be ready to play after leaving the Purdue game with a back injury. Lunt did not practice on Tuesday, but Smith was not ready to rule him out for Saturday’s game. The real issue for the Illini this weekend could be their defense. “(Our defensive line) hasn’t played well enough,” Smith said. “That was our worst game that we have played. When I say it is the strength of our team, it is, but we need better play from it late in the game.” The Illini have been struggling with giving up big chunk plays on the ground.

Smith said that has to change if the Illini want to have a chance of winning not only at Rutgers, but also in the Big Ten in general. Linebacker Hardy Nickerson said the Illini have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the Rutgers offense. He thinks they will attack in the same ways that the Illini have struggled stopping all season — featuring screen plays that will keep the Illini defense on their heels. “Each week we learn how hard it is to win a Big Ten game,” Nickerson said. “Two weeks in a row where we have had a chance to win a game, but we haven’t closed it out. We know how hard it is to grind a win out in this league, and we look forward to doing whatever it takes this weekend against Rutgers.”

mistakes. “Those words seem minute, but those words keep everyone going,” Marbury said. The culmination of this success is attributed to George’s personality. “You’ll see an intensity in her eyes, but at the same time, she can joke with the best of us at times,” Rayfield said. “There is also a laser focus towards the things she wants to accomplish.” George attributed her chances to score to the return of Marbury, who came back from injury last weekend.

“Kara was a real big impact on the team,” George said. “She presses the defense a lot, more than anyone else on the team, so I feel like that was a big impact we had.” Rayfield thinks that George’s growth will continue. “You will see a lot more movement like (when she scored her second goal) as she gets more comfortable within the game and making decisions and dictating things,” Rayfield said.

RUTGERS

QUENTIN SHAW THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois head coach John Groce checks the scoreboard after calling a timeout during the Illini’s 84-70 victory over Purdue at State Farm Center on Jan. 10.

FROM 1B

For those of you who need help with this reference, it has been 18 years since Seinfeld’s fi nale, and Jerry Seinfeld himself is 62 years old. The future is now for the Illini, and I think Wilkes realizes that. The State Farm Center is newly renovated and looks like a million bucks - $170 million to be exact. The Illini athletic department has a fresh new leader in Josh Whitman. But the most important factor is the future of the Illinois basketball roster. Wilkes has a chance to be a part of one of the most talented freshman classes Illinois basketball has seen in a long time. Illinois’ class of 2017 is ranked No. 4 in the nation on 247sports. com. The Hoosiers are ranked No. 26 in the nation with a class of one four-star, and two three-star recruits. They received a commitment from wing Justin Smith in late September, and it’s hard to picture committing to a school that already fi lled his position. UCLA has the sixthbest 2017 recruiting class. The Bruins

WILKES Sure, Illinois has some history. But if you’re going to bring up history, UCLA and Indiana have that covered. Eleven national championships for UCLA and five for Indiana do not compare to Illinois’ zero. Illini fans can bring up the 2005 team all they want, but almost winning a championship doesn’t cut it. In the last three years, UCLA and Indiana each have two appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The last time Illinois made an appearance in the Big Dance was 2013, and that team’s roster was courtesy of former coach Bruce Weber. So what is the deciding factor that is keeping Illinois in the hunt for Wilkes? Rather than dwelling on the past, Illinois is gearing up for the future. Talk about history all you want, but the last time UCLA won a championship, Seinfeld was only in season 6, and the last time the Hoosiers hoisted some hardware Jerry Seinfeld was 33.

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currently have three commits – two fourstars and one three-star recruit. But much like Indiana, UCLA also has a 6-foot-8 forward that is too similar to Wilkes. The ideal location for Wilkes would be Illinois. Groce has yet to add any wings to his class of 2017. Illinois will be losing Malcolm Hill after this season due to graduation and so Wilkes would also be receiving a good amount of playing time as a freshman. During Wilkes’ visit with the Illini, Groce also had commits Jeremiah Tilmon, DaMonte Williams and Javon Pickett on their official visits. Wilkes has met his potential future teammates and seemed to have made a good connection with them during the visit. Wilkes has alluded on Twitter that a decision is coming soon. Despite what scouts and analysts say, don’t count the Illini out yet. There was a reason Illinois was included in his top-three.

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She has put in the work to be able to play extended minutes and an extended period of time.” One of the greatest benefits for George was the chance to play with some other solid players at forward. In the past, she has played with some Illinois stalwarts in Nicole Breece, senior Reagan Robishaw, junior Kara Marbury and all-time highest goal scorer Jannelle Flaws. The last thing George needed to break through was better confidence, and she fi nally turned that around against Michigan State. “I was playing scared to make mistakes,” George said. “Sunday, I decided if I make a mistake, I just keep moving forward.” George was able to gain a “next-one mentality” from her teammates in practice. George was told from her teammates to not dwell on

Illinois at Nebraska, Illinois at Iowa When/Where: Thursday at 7 p.m. – Barbara Hibner Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska and Sunday at 1 p.m. – UI Soccer Complex, Iowa City, Iowa

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Broadcast info: BTN2Go Quick note: Illinois has a chance to continue its climb through the conference standings against two middling Big Part A 18. Jun 2010 Ten teams Hidden stat: One – Goals scored by Iowa in Big Ten play

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ness on defense has been stopping the run game. The Scarlet Knights have allowed roughly 270 rushing yards per game. The Illini’s trio of running backs – Reggie Corbin, Kendrick Foster and Ke’Shawn Vaughn – have been the Illini offense main threat lately, with head coach Lovie Smith calling the running game the most impressive facet of the Illini’s game so far. He said he expects that they will have another big outing against the Scarlet Knights this weekend. Last week against Purdue, the Illini running backs ran for 181 yards. As a team they went for 318 yards on the ground with quarterback Chayce Crouch’s 137 rushing

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Looking for some great sales experience to help beef up your resume? Illini Media is currently looking for a few energetic, resourceful, friendly and motivated sales/advertising folks to complete our sales team. Yes there is some cold calling, but there are also existing client lists and trained sales reps to learn from. Our sales reps get great hands-on experience so they’re ready to step into a job in media, sales, advertising and/or marketing when they graduate and leave us. Sales Reps at Illini Media have an opportunity to make commission and bonuses based on meeting and exceeding sales goals. They’ll also gain real world experience selling print and digital media as well as radio and other non-traditional avenues.

Come join our team today! Please email Melissa Pasco to apply. mgpasco@illinimedia.com

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