IWU Athletic Director - Dennie Bridges

Dennie Bridges was introduced by former player, Bryan Crabtree who dared to disagree with Coach Brides regarding "A Dunk Only Counts Two Points." The 22-7 Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team, fresh from a win over defending champion Wesleyan Men will will travel to Stevens Point, Wis., for their NCAA Division III sectional meeting with Carthage on Friday, March 12. The host school faces Texas-Dallas in the other sectional semifinal. 2010 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Interactive Bracket. This will be the fourth meeting this year between the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin foes Red Men and the Titans, with Carthage winning two of three already.

The Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball team will be playing on their home court again this weekend as the school hosts the sectional round of the NCAA Division III championships at the Shirk Center.

• Illinois Wesleyan NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Sectional
• 2010 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Interactive Bracket

The Titans play Wis.-Stevens Point (23-6) in the second Friday semifinal while Hope (29-1) meets 28-1 Marymount (VA,) in the opening game. The combined record of the four teams in the sectional is 108-9. Dennie is quite proud of the Titans and their accomplishment. While the men's basketball team has had a great 100 year history, the women's teams have really begun to show their winning ways in the past several years. IWU women's basketball recent record is 81 wins and only 5 losses. The women's athletic accomplishment rank high in Bridges accomplishments as AD at IWU. Last year IWU Women won 6 of the 10 conference championships.

Coach Bridges also is proud of the fact that their have been only two AD s in the past 67 years at IWU, Coach Horenberger and Bridges. Of course he remembered some of the good old days with Jack Sikma, Bryan Crabtree and Scott Peterson. Scott was the responder and had a bit of fun reminding Crabtree of the shot he took from the seat of his pants, that was the discussed by Coach B at half time.

March 1 Meeting - Speaker: Bill Wright, Miracle League Program

Bill Wright, a long standing community leader in Bloomington-Normal, has a vision of the beginning of a "Miracle League" in our community. The league provides a baseball opportunity for the developmentally disabled. Bill, who has a daughter that has grown up with a disability, learned of the Miracle League in Guide Post Magazine. He showed a video that explains the project - "Say No to No Child." - everyone bats, no one strikes out and all games end in a tie. Many kids get to play in their favorite sport. The Kiwanis Club of Des Moines Iowa has taken on this project.

Flick Finds Fun Filling In Feigning Pikering - Bill Flick - Feburary 22 Meeting

Bill Flick, seemed to enjoy filling in for Mark Pickering. Never a loss for words, Bill had no problem being quite entertaining. He told some of his most embarrassing moments at the Pantagraph during his 29 years there. His stories included how his name was used to promote sales at the self service racks by having his FLICK on them. They were soon removed as a minor bit of graffiti changed the name. Then in an effort of good journalism, he visited a nudist colony and interviewed a couple that was in charge. He said that he stared at the ceiling for the entire 45 minute interview. Another reporting effort led him to Kenney, Illinois, where, at the time, there was a strip club. Girls danced on the tables, even though there was not enough ceiling height to have the girls stand upright without removing ceiling tiles. A new meaning to topless. A year later, a girl, standing in line at Target on a Sunday morning (full store) yells out "Bill Flick, I met you in Kenney!", WOW! And then, "how I met Ted Kennedy?" If you were not there, be sure to ask to hear the story as told only by Bill Flick, that is if you ever get the chance.

February 15 Meeting - Dr. Tony Dustman and Nate Henry - Orthopedics Sports Enhancement Center

Doctor Dustman gave a quick run down of the history of the clinic and how it began in 1979 as an after school "walk-in" clinic for treating and evaluating sports injuries. He recalled long lines as being a regular thing. The clinic then developed a relationship with Illinois State. By 1990, Dr. Seidel joined the clinic and in 1995 the clinic began placing athletic trainers in the local high schools long before they were required by the IHSA. Next they reached out to area schools with the services. Then they opened the Center and added doctors - Dr. Duhig, a family practice physician, and Dr. Joe Norris to the clinic staff.

The clinic now has immediate post concussion assessment and testing capability, the only one in the state, outside of NFL and NHL scope. The clinic has a staff of 31 including the four physicians with three areas of functions, medical, acceleration and a training center. One of the main functions of the clinic is to evaluate injuries and "return to play" timing. To do this, the evaluation requires knowledge of the sport, the coaches, the trainers, and the athletes progress. Before given the okay to play, an athlete is given a 20 minute work out. If they pass their mother has reason to buy into the return, and if they fail, the athlete can see they are not ready. Nate Henry, Director of Sports Performance, say he has the best job possible, allowing him to play with kids all day and get paid for it. He will have 80 to 100 kids each day in the "Acceleration Program." The focus is how to become a better athlete by improving agility, speed, power and coordination skills. The benefits are both physiological and psychological. Another benefit is "hope." Hope of preventing injuries and the hope of reaching youth through athletics. Youth benefits are improved self esteem, direction, and athletic ability.