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Dave Reynolds works at his desk at the Journal Star office in Peoria. (Journal Star file photo)
By DAVE REYNOLDS Journal Star, Peoria
Editor’s Note: This column from retiring Journal Star sports reporter Dave Reynolds was published by the newspaper on Nov. 28.
PEORIA – After 38 years of covering sports at the Journal Star, the time has come to say farewell. As is occurring throughout many companies these days, mine recently offered employee buyouts, of which I have accepted.
Thus ends my long career at One News Plaza. It's been a great ride.
When I arrived in Peoria from the Des Moines Register in November 1982, the Peoria Civic Center had just opened its doors. Bradley men's basketball and the Peoria Prancers – the forerunners to the Rivermen – were the dual tenants.
The predecessors to the Peoria Chiefs – the Suns – would launch a professional baseball franchise the next spring.
The St. Louis Cardinals had just won the World Series.
It was a great time and place for a young sports writer to put down roots. I've been fortunate through the years to witness great moments – the Sweet 16 run by Bradley basketball, the Braves' two Valley tournament titles, World Series games with the Cubs, Cardinals and White Sox, three MLB All-Star games, the Peoria Chiefs' epic ninth-inning comeback to win the '02 league championship, the Chicago Bears' playoff victory in the dense Chicago fog, the Manual boys basketball four-peat. The list goes on and on.
Of course, the people around the events – the athletes and coaches, of course, but also my readers and newspaper colleagues – provide the most personal and long-lasting memories.
These eyes witnessed so many college basketball games over the years. I've covered all 950 BU men's contests played since my first one at Georgia Southern in 1990 when I became the Bradley beat writer.
I've seen Bradley play in 37 states, Canada, the District of Columbia and a few from my computer screen due to travel restrictions.
Old-timers might remember that I staffed many Illinois State and Western Illinois games for six years before taking over the Bradley beat.
Who can forget the memorable 2006 NCAA tournament when loyal Bradley fans never sat down during the entirety of the Braves' upset victories over Kansas and Pitt?
After the Pitt victory put them into the Sweet 16, Bradley players thanked their supporters by leaping into the stands with hugs and high-fives.
Years later came a more personal memory. Seemingly countless readers, Twitter followers and colleagues, locally and beyond, supported me over an access incident with the Bradley athletic department as the men's basketball team prepared for the 2019 NCAA tournament.
Fans of the Braves and the First Amendment alike stood by me in a most astounding weekend I'll long appreciate.
And yes, for those who continue to ask, we moved on and the working relationship improved.
There were three decades' worth of wintry drives to Des Moines, Terre Haute, Carbondale and all Valley points in between covering Bradley games.
On other courts, spirited racquetball games with former BU coach Joe Stowell (who usually won), play-by-play announcer Dave Snell and then-Sports Information Director Joe Dalfonso were an integral part of the '90s road trips.
The old coach's many hijinks – from finagling first-class airplane seats to circumventing long restaurant waits – always provided plenty of colorful moments along the way.
Nonconference highlights were the Braves' upset of an ACC champion Georgia Tech team in 1995, the 2006 near upset and bloody brawl at fourth-ranked Villanova and the Las Vegas triumph over Illinois in 2009.
The great memories of being on press row for all 30 MVC tournaments in St. Louis culminated in the Braves cutting down the nets for the last two as Bradley returned to Valley respectability after a long drought.
And who can forget Deon Jackson's ESPY-winning game-winning heave in '96?
Every one of those Arch Madness spectacles was a first-rate event presented by Doug Elgin and his Valley staff.
One baseball moment I won't forget is the 1989 Cubs' division-winning celebration in Montreal, still the wildest and most sustained locker room bash I've ever seen. I can still see a wild-eyed Dwight Smith dashing over to us previously dry scribes and spraying us liberally from his bottle of Korbel.
This job afforded me the opportunity to meet and interview legends such as Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial and Michael Jordan. In Jordan's case, I covered his first professional game when the Bulls played a 1984 exhibition in Peoria and again 11 years later when the world champions returned to Carver Arena.
And who wouldn't enjoy breaking bread and sharing drinks with the likes of Harry Caray, Don Zimmer and Jerry Reinsdorf in spring training? In Harry's case, many drinks.
Of course, Harry's buddy, Pete Vonachen, was one of my favorites. Nobody could spin a yarn like Pete, whose vast legacy was topped by his resurrection of pro baseball in Peoria.
How fortunate I was to watch a kid named Shaun Livingston – who I coached in baseball when Shaun was 7 years old – grow up to become a veteran of 15 NBA seasons and win three world championship rings with Golden State?
That pride in Peoria also included witnessing firsthand the successful journey of a young baseball player from Limestone High School develop into a big league star whose 612 home runs rank eighth on the all-time list.
Five years later after he retired, I was proud to cast my Hall of Fame ballot for Jim Thome.
Nearly 90 percent of my Baseball Writers Association of America peers concurred and Thome earned the prestigious honor of becoming a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
So many talented co-workers at the Journal Star have come and gone. Men no longer with us such as Paul King, Dick Lien, and Gary Childs helped shape my career.
And of course, Kirk Wessler, my former editor and longtime press row companion who gave me the license to tell stories in my own way.
The talents and hard work of every other writer and editor, who reported the games of central Illinois and beyond, made our sports section the most comprehensive in the state.
It was an honor to work with you all, but especially with hockey writer extraordinaire Dave "Cleve" Eminian, who has always had my back.
And then there's my wife and best friend, Linda. She's been a pillar of encouragement and organization for nearly 40 years while supporting the crazy night and weekend hours and wacky travel schedule of a sportswriter as we raised our family. Now that she, too, has wrapped up her work career this month, we are looking forward to discovering a new normal together.
Ironically, my last day at the paper is Dec. 8, prior to tipoff of Bradley's home opener at Carver Arena.
COVID restrictions allow for just one PJS reporter in the building. So it's time for me to deliver a bounce pass to my Journal Star sports colleagues who will take it from here.
Thanks to everyone for reading my stories during the past 38 years. It's been a pleasure to have you turn those pages with me.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 11, 2025 Contact Information: Cadeala Troublefield, project manager Griffin & Strong Ph: (678) 364-2962 ext. 111 cadeala@gspclaw.com Courtney Clark, deputy project manager Griffin & Strong Ph: (404) 348-0690 ext. 113 courtney@gspclaw.com
VIRTUAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING DETAILS DATE(TENTATIVE): Wednesday, November 19, 2025 6 PM CST/7 PM EST Interested Participants Can Register Here: https://gspclaw.zoom.us/meeting/register/ytfUEAagQzqnrQE8eO8mSQ#/registration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2025 Contact Information: Kara Kienzler, associate executive director - communications Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Ph: (217) 528-9688
SPRINGFIELD — November 15 of each year is designated as School Board Members Day. The day of recognition is an occasion to build community awareness about the important role school board members play in a representative democracy by providing a local voice for community education decisions. In 2007, the Illinois House of Representatives declared November 15 as School Board Members Day in the State of Illinois. The resolution states the annual recognition is “a way to honor those citizens who devote so much of their time and energy for the education of our children.” “School board members serve as our local, volunteer education advocates striving for quality learning opportunities for every student. They take on this immense responsibility not for a paycheck, but because they are committed to their communities and the belief that every child deserves a quality education,” said IASB Executive Director Kimberly A. Small, J.D. “Our school board members wear many hats; beyond their educational leadership, they are policy-makers, contract negotiators, and budgeteers. They are also our neighbors, our friends, and our schools’ biggest fans. On November 15 –– School Board Members Day — it is our chance to say, ‘Thank You.’” IASB encourages school districts, communities, businesses, and others to thank local school board members and recognize them for their dedication to providing successful education opportunities for all students. Resources and images to recognize school board members on November 15 are available at www.iasb.com/thankaboardmember.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2025 Media Contact Illinois Principals Association Alison Maley, government and public relations director PH: 217-299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
SPRINGFIELD – In a direct response to the growing school leadership shortage across Illinois, the Illinois Principals Association, through its Ed Leaders Network (ELN), has teamed up with Aurora University to launch an exciting and streamlined Alternative Principal Endorsement Program. This endorsement pathway enables educators who already have five years of experience and hold a master’s degree in education to earn their Principal Endorsement in just one year – without completing an additional graduate degree. Approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and aligned with National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards, the program blends an immersive one-year internship with micro‑credentials tailored to school leadership practice. Eligible educators can earn licensure‑approved endorsement within one calendar year. This program is significantly less expensive than a full master’s degree and delivered on a fully remote platform. Participants in the program have appreciated the flexibility and experience the program provides as they enter or continue their school leadership journey. “Having already completed my master's degree, I knew I wanted to add the Principals Endorsement to my license, but I did not want to enroll in another full master's program. I was able to pull from previous leadership experience as I worked through the micro-credentials while still gaining valuable experience during my internship activities. The program is challenging but rewarding as it offers a way to reflect on previous experiences while building new skills as an educational leader."
- Jon Pieper, division head for Career & Technical Education, Physical Education, Drivers Education, and Health Education at Elk Grove High School
“The Alternative Principal Endorsement program was a great fit because everything was online, and I could work at my own pace. The flexibility allowed me to balance professional responsibilities while advancing my leadership skills. I would highly recommend this program to aspiring leaders.”
- Dr. Maribel Guerrero, director of language acquisition, Naperville CUSD 203
Dr. Ed Howerton, director of graduate education programs at Aurora University and former district administrator, shared: "Our program leans heavily into a ‘learning by doing’ framework that is extremely self-driven. It provides flexibility for professionals and ownership in the learning process. Many of our completers have moved into administrative roles sooner than if they had gone through a master’s degree program, and filling leadership voids in our schools is key to promoting student success.” Dr. Jason Leahy, executive director of the Illinois Principals Association, also shared: “When compared to a little over a decade ago, the State of Illinois has experienced an almost 60% reduction in the number of individuals who earn their principal endorsement each year. This alternative pathway provides a rigorous, cost effective, and expedited opportunity for quality educators to demonstrate they possess the skills necessary to be effective school leaders.” Eligible candidates must hold a current Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL), possess a master’s degree in education, have completed five years of teaching or school support experience, are employed in a full‑time, permanent educational position before program start, and complete required evaluation training and principal content exams to qualify for endorsement. Currently, 81 students are enrolled at various stages of the program at Aurora University, including 30 students that began this fall semester. Twenty-four students have completed the program since its inception, with 12 individuals working in leadership positions. Aurora University Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Aurora University is committed to preparing leaders for the future of education. For a full overview of the program’s structure and registration information, visit the Alternative Principal Endorsement at https://aurora.edu/academics/graduate/principal-endorsement/index.html. Illinois Principals Association The Illinois Principals Association is a leadership organization which serves more than 6,900 educational leaders throughout the state of Illinois and whose mission is to develop, support, and advocate for innovative educational leaders. For more information about the IPA, please visit www.ilprincipals.org. Program Contacts Aurora University – Ed Howerton, director of Graduate Education Programs, ehowerton@aurora.edu, 630-844-5626 Ed Leaders Network / Illinois Principals Association – Arlin Peebles, Ed Leaders Network director, arlin.peebles@ilprincipals.org, 217-241-0598
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 5, 2025 Contact Illinois Bar Foundation Jessie Reeves, director of events & administration Ph: 312-920-4681 jreeves@illinoisbarfoundation.org
CHICAGO, November 5, 2025 - Mark D. Hassakis, a personal injury and workers' compensation attorney at Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. of Mount Vernon, Illinois, was recently honored with the Illinois Bar Foundation’s Distinguished Award for Excellence on Oct. 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. Mark D. Hassakis has the legal advocacy of Illinois victims in his blood. Born and raised in Mount Vernon, Mark followed in the footsteps of his father, Demetri, a lifelong Mount Vernon attorney, to practice law at Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C, now celebrating 75 years. Mark has dedicated his professional life to helping his fellow Illinois citizens and the community at large. In addition to his exceptional career representing individuals’ needs in the areas of personal injury and workers’ compensation, professional malpractice, and general tort injury cases, Mark is a true leader with unparalleled dedication to giving back to the community. The Illinois Bar Foundation’s Distinguished Award for Excellence, the organization’s highest honor, is awarded annually to individuals whose career and personal life exemplify their ongoing commitment to the law and legal community. “The selection of Mark Hassakis for this year's Distinguished Award of Excellence reflects our belief in the principle that legal excellence and community service go hand in hand. His career demonstrates how individual attorneys can make a lasting impact not just through their practice, but through their commitment to strengthening the legal profession and ensuring access to justice for all Illinois residents.”
Lauren N. Tuckey, Tuckey Law Illinois Bar Foundation President 2025-26
Bar leadership and community impact Mark's commitment to the legal profession extends far beyond his practice. As president of the Illinois State Bar Association (2010-11), he championed juvenile justice reform, established young attorney mentorship programs, and highlighted the vital role lawyers play in strengthening their communities. His passion for juvenile justice led to the establishment of the Illinois Bar Foundation's M. Denny Hassakis Fund, which focuses on improving Illinois' juvenile justice system through public policy changes and programs supporting vulnerable youth. Mark served as president of the Illinois Bar Foundation from 2000 to 2002, during which time he was instrumental in creating the organization's signature fundraising events, including the Gala and Lawyers Rock concert. Mark has held numerous other leadership positions, including chairman of the ISBA Mutual Insurance Company; president of the Jefferson County Bar Association; and board member of the Hellenic Bar Association, the Lawyers' Trust Fund of Illinois, and the Juvenile Justice Initiative. Beyond his legal work, Mark has been a driving force in Mount Vernon and Southern Illinois development. He has spearheaded projects focused on downtown development, historical building restoration, and the support of community parks and arts initiatives. Notable achievements include bringing nationally acclaimed jazz artists to teach area grade school students and commissioning an "Abraham Lincoln as a Lawyer" sculpture for the 5th Appellate Court grounds in Mount Vernon. A proud Northwestern University alumnus, Mark continues to serve as an alumni regent and member of the Northwestern University Leadership Circle since 2012, acting as an ambassador for the university. Mark's extensive community involvement includes leadership roles with the Downtown Development Corporation of Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County Historical Society, Lincoln Park Foundation, Vernon West Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), and numerous other local organizations dedicated to enriching Southern Illinois. Bar Admissions