Ron Zook, Illini Football coach 

ZOOK STILL OPTIMISTIC

Last Friday I attended the Illini Quarterback Club meeting. Illini football coach Ron Zook was the featured speaker. In spite of the Illini being embarrased by the 63-10 loss to Penn State the previous Saturday, Zook was given a standing ovation.
It appears the Illini faithful still like their coach.
I must admit I was a litte shocked to hear how confident Zook is with the football program.
Here are some of his quotes after first admitting that "This is a tough time."
"I know we are on the right track."
"The NCAA probation will have no effect on the football program."
"The pre-game energy for the Penn State game was as good as I have ever been involved with."
"My wife said the stadium atmosphere was the greatest she can remember"
"We will stay the course."
"Other teams like Penn State and Iowa have been down only to come back with a series of good teams in the future."
You have to think the the coach is sincere. He really believes in his players, coaches, and the future of Illinois football. Today the Illini offense was much improved as the battled Wisconsin before losing 41-24.
I hope the coach is right. Personally, I feel a winning season may be two years away, and no bowl trip for at least three years. Illini fans will need patience, and Zook will either bring them back, or he will be gone in four years.

SOFTBALL PLAYERS 

3 EX-SAGES PLAY BIG TIME SOFTBALL

The 2002 Sages softball teams 37-2 record established a school record for most wins in one season. Three of the five outstanding seniors on that team are now college juniors and still playing softball.
Ginger Reeser, pitcher, recently transferred from Gulf Coast Junior College to Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. Barry is a Division II school with an enrollment of 9,000 students.
Molly Lawhead was a regular at University of Illinois last year and is expected to play right field again this fall.
Biz Piatt is working on her third letter at Northwestern. Piatt is used a lot as a pinch runner because of her speed.