Signing off from
@The_Vidette
with one last column. As I reflect on my time here and choosing a career outside of journalism, I'm extremely grateful for everyone who supported me along the way. Thank you.
Ryan Pedon is physically handing out
@Redbird_MBB
tickets to each student. Hard to question the dedication from the first-year head coach.
#REDBIRDhoops
Ryan Pedon on amping up the crowd in
@Redbird_MBB
’s win vs Murray State:
“Sometimes I want our fans to be, today, maybe a little bit more rowdy. I want that. I want this to be a place where we have some real fun.”
“Someday soon we’re gonna be filling this place. That’s coming.”
KINSANITY CONTINUES!
Johnny HIMziger’s game winner lifts
@Redbird_MBB
over Missouri State.
The freshman went from 6.3 points per game through his first 25 games to 20.0 over his last five. What a special player for the Redbirds.
No question the student section made a difference for
@Redbird_MBB
in its win over
@NKUNorseMBB
. ISU players embrace the fans after their third straight win
With Indiana State’s win in the NIT Quarterfinals, the Sycamores finish the 2023-24 season 16-1 at the Hulman Center — the one loss to
@Redbird_MBB
.
#REDBIRDhoops
Four years ago today, my first feature story for
@The_Vidette
ran in the print edition while I was still a senior in high school. Throwback!
What a special story, special athlete and special memory as my time with The Vidette winds down. Blessed!
From 0-9 to 9 straight wins.
@RedbirdVB
is a different team than we saw in August. ISU sweeps Indiana State — finishing it off with a 25-5 third set.
#REDBIRDvolleyball
Doug Collins Court has made it to Horton Field House for
@Redbird_MBB
’s game against
@SIUEMBB
Saturday. Temporary seating is almost set.
What an effort by
@ISURedbirds
to make this happen. This court was in use just last night in CEFCU Arena.
#REDBIRDhoops
Less than a year ago, Chase Walker weighed 360 pounds. When
@Redbird_MBB
said it'd wait for him to get on campus, Walker took it upon himself to lose 70 pounds.
Full story on the dedicated freshman is live
@The_Vidette
.
#REDBIRDhoops
|
@Viddy_Sports
“I know the talk out there — 'Illinois State hasn't done much in a long time.' This is the year that we're gonna do something."
At 2-0 in the MVC for the first time since the 2017-18 season, culture is building for
@Redbird_MBB
. Story for
@The_Vidette
:
More
@Redbird_MBB
coverage to come, but I’ve got what everyone wants to see:
6’7” Monmouth transfer Myles Foster shows off his 7’4” wingspan
#REDBIRDhoops
In just his third collegiate start, Johnny Kinziger exploded for 31 points and led
@Redbird_MBB
to its first ranked win in nearly eight years.
Full story from ISU's 80-67 win over No. 23
@IndStBasketball
at the Hulman Center:
#REDBIRDhoops
The last time
@Redbird_MBB
started a freshmen at PG he went on to do great things. Could
@djhorne0
do the same?
Checkout the similarities in my latest blog for
@The_Vidette
“Everybody in the locker room after the game is going out to talk to their parents and now I have somebody to talk to as well.”
Nora Janka’s parents traveled over 4,000 miles to see her
@RedbirdVB
Senior Night. Full story:
#REDBIRDvolleyball
“I just wanted to take that chance of feeling good about the game again.”
After transferring from Bradley, Caroline Waite is ready to win with
@RedbirdWBB
. Feature story:
#REDBIRDwbb
|
@Viddy_Sports
Dalton Banks is on the mend from his mid-June surgery and getting ready to contribute for
@Redbird_MBB
.
My feature story on the Southern Illinois transfer is up now
@The_Vidette
.
#REDBIRDhoops
“I was willing to give all of that up because of how great the opportunity to reclassify was.”
@RedbirdWBB
freshman guard
@mayawong23
made the tough decision to reclassify — forgoing her senior season with
@ladyironbball
. My latest
@The_Vidette
:
After Matters’ 100th head-coaching win,
@RedbirdVB
surprised her with a very special video featuring her current and former players, assistant coaches and administrators along with other ISU head coaches. Extremely well done by all involved.
#REDBIRDvolleyball
I can’t get over this picture from yesterday’s
@Redbird_MBB
exhibition. It doesn’t get much more exciting than Darius Burford running the fast break📸
#REDBIRDhoops
Big 2025 commitment for
@RedbirdVB
! Ne’khaela Rogers is a 6-foot-1 middle blocker and outside hitter from Centennial High School in Burleson, Texas. The Redbirds’ front row just keeps getting better.
#REDBIRDvolleyball
At the end of
@Redbird_MBB
's regular season, I had the privilege of joining the team for a road trip to get an inside look at how the Redbirds travel. Full story
@The_Vidette
:
#REDBIRDhoops
It's senior weekend for
@RedbirdVB
and the first time Nora Janka's parents get to see her play for ISU in person. All the way from Innsbruck, Austria! Special night!
First serve is at 6 against
@UIC_Volleyball
, live updates
@Viddy_Sports
.
#REDBIRDvolleyball
Northeastern transfer Abby Reck has announced her commitment to
@RedbirdVB
via Instagram. The 6-foot-2 outside hitter started 20 of 25 matches for NU in 2023, averaging 2.77 kills/set on a .192 hitting percentage.
#REDBIRDvolleyball
Former UIC libero/defensive specialist Colleen Hege has committed to
@RedbirdVB
. The MVC transfer is a Champaign, Illinois native and will join the Redbirds for her junior year.
#REDBIRDvolleyball
Impressive showing from the Redbird faithful in Chicago — ISU fans might outnumber UIC fans here at Credit Union 1 Arena. It certainly sounds that way based on crowd reaction.
#REDBIRDhoops
Impressive win for
@Redbird_MBB
. Long Beach State had just gone to Ann Arbor and beat a solid Michigan team.
Now, ISU will face High Point — and former Redbird Liam McChesney tomorrow.
#REDBIRDhoops
"We look good on paper. Now it's just trying to look good on-court."
Just a few workouts into the summer, Wisconsin transfer Jordan Davis is settling in quickly with
@Redbird_MBB
. Full story:
#REDBIRDhoops
|
@The_Vidette
“I think she is an inspiration for all of the women athletes on campus.”
@RedbirdVB
senior Kendee Hilliard’s influence spans much further than Redbird Arena. Read more in my latest feature for
@The_Vidette
ahead of Friday’s big match.
Melinda Fischer’s influence is seen through her athletes as they develop throughout their time as a Redbird. In my most recent feature Fischer and two
@RedbirdsSB
standouts reflect on their experiences.
@The_Vidette
@Viddy_Sports
After a storied high school career, Johnny Kinziger had surgery to fix a core muscle injury this summer. Now, Kinziger is “feeling 100%” as
@Redbird_MBB
starts its season today.
Feature story on ISU’s freshman point guard:
#REDBIRDhoops
|
@Viddy_Sports
Miami of Ohio transfer Maggie McCrary has committed to
@RedbirdVB
. McCrary comes to Normal for her fifth year and will add crucial experience and depth in the middle for the Redbirds.
#REDBIRDvolleyball
I spoke with
@Redbird_MBB
head coach Ryan Pedon to get a detailed look at ISU's plans for the offseason. Pedon breaks down his approach to the transfer portal, retaining players, scheduling and more for
@The_Vidette
:
#REDBIRDhoops
Ryan Pedon and
@Redbird_MBB
have gotten a commitment from Heyworth graduate Nick Feather. The 6-8, 260-pound forward will join the Redbirds as a preferred walk on.
#REDBIRDhoops
Dexter’s brother Tye is a linebacker for the Redbirds. Both could play for their dad, Travis Niekamp — ISU’s defensive coordinator. Unique opportunity for a talented family.
#REDBIRDfootball
After over 4,000 miles and 18 hours of travel, Nora Janka’s parents got to see her play for
@RedbirdVB
in person for the first time this weekend. Here’s a photo gallery of some of those special moments with a story to follow:
#REDBIRDvolleyball
Ryan Millmore is returning to Normal to join
@RedbirdFB
! Former punter/kicker standout for
@IronFootball
spent his freshman season at Iowa State.
Welcome back, Ryan!
#REDBIRDfootball
Normal Community recruit Jaheem Webber in attendance to see
@Redbird_MBB
take on Bradley. Webber is a 6-foot-9 PF/C in the class of 2024.
He’s seated alongside Dexter Niekamp, who just got an offer from
@RedbirdFB
today.
#REDBIRDhoops
#REDBIRDfootball
After interning for
@KurtPegler
this summer
@WMBDNews
, it was awesome to make my on-air debut alongside him tonight as a correspondent for high school football. Thanks for the opportunity, Kurt!
"I knew walking out onto the court."
@Redbird_MBB
had no shortage of confidence that freshman Johnny Kinziger would hit the game-winner against Missouri State. More on that moment and a preview of tomorrow's game against Valpo:
#REDBIRDhoops
Class of 2025 recruit Leshawn Stowers was at
@Redbird_MBB
’s win over EIU. The Peoria High School junior has offers from EIU, SIU and Incarnate Word. He’s received interest from ISU and many other D1 programs.
#REDBIRDhoops
With
@RedbirdVB
's 2024 recruiting class, ISU continues to build a strong foundation.
Head coach Allie Matters and recruiting coordinator Matt DePauw share more about the six Redbirds that signed yesterday:
#REDBIRDvolleyball
So much to be thankful for, especially after a four-game week covering
@ISURedbirds
for
@The_Vidette
!
So grateful for the opportunity to do what I love as I continue to grow and learn as a sports journalist. Happy thanksgiving!
Myles Foster with the slam and staredown📸
Maybe the best half of basketball I’ve seen from
@Redbird_MBB
this season as ISU leads Belmont 41-30. Foster leading the way with 15.
#REDBIRDhoops
More than just outstanding athletes, Kaitlyn and Tommy Donovan are building a family legacy with
@ISURedbirds
. Competing for
@redbirdwgym
and
@RedbirdFB
, they’re each other’s No. 1 supporters. Feature story for
@The_Vidette
:
Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day!
I would like to share how thankful I am for all the outstanding women in
@ISURedbirds
that I’ve gotten to cover with
@The_Vidette
! Thank you!
#NGWSD
"It's a great opportunity for our players to play a blue blood, play in a historic venue like Rupp Arena and to play a team and a program that is so supremely talented."
@Redbird_MBB
faces
@KentuckyMBB
on Friday in Lexington. Preview for
@The_Vidette
:
"He's one of a kind, Trevor is. I think he has undeniable passion for Redbird Athletics. Getting to know him I just appreciate the type of guy he is and just how passionate he is about our program." —
@Redbird_MBB
head coach Ryan Pedon
To defeat No. 23 Indiana State,
@Redbird_MBB
had to slow down one of the nation’s best offenses. More on that defensive scheme and the huge impact Dalton Banks has, even when it doesn’t show up in the box score:
#REDBIRDhoops
|
@Viddy_Sports
I’ve decided that (for me) trying to project a
@Redbird_MBB
starting lineup right now would be pointlessly disrespectful to whoever gets left out.
That’s a testament to the talent that’s been brought in and the returning core. 2023-24 should be exciting.
#REDBIRDhoops
From
@Redbird_MBB
practice this morning: Chase Walker looks GOOD. After an injury setback, HC Ryan Pedon told me they are “working him back in.” He looked full-go today.
“He’s doing alright. I think we gotta be cognizant of the wear and tear his foot is taking.”
#REDBIRDhoops
“Tomorrow when we step on the floor against an unbelievable UNI team, we’re comfortable.” —
@RedbirdWBB
HC Kristen Gillespie
The Redbirds coasted to a win over Evansville to open Hoops in the Heartland. They face
@UNIwbb
tomorrow with a game under their belts.
#REDBIRDwbb
📸
“I can tell you that off the top, there's some needs that we're going to have that I do know of.”
After an Arch Madness loss,
@Redbird_MBB
immediately shifted its focus to the offseason. Story
@The_Vidette
:
#REDBIRDhoops
I interviewed a
@Redbird_MBB
LEGEND last week.
@Osiris_Eldridge
told me he has signed to play professionally again in Turkey after two years away from pro ball. Also got some great perspective for my next article, coming soon👀
#REDBIRDhoops
|
@The_Vidette
Mari Hinkle has announced her commitment to
@RedbirdVB
. She comes to ISU from Iowa after spending two seasons with the Hawkeyes and two seasons with UCLA before that.
Hinkle had 405 digs last year with 4.01/set. She appeared in 208/220 total sets with Iowa.
#REDBIRDvolleyball
In closing at MVC presser,
@Redbird_MBB
’s HC Ryan Pedon went out of his way to credit Kendall Lewis.
“People are sleeping on him. And he affects the game as much as anyone in this league in a variety of ways.”
“He’s gonna be an all-conference player in my mind.”
#REDBIRDhoops