Dear Prairie Star Nation,
The excitement on campus has already reached a new level. This past Saturday, nearly 120 student-athletes returned to launch our fall seasons in volleyball, men's and women's soccer, and men's and women's cross country.
After a quiet summer, it's refreshing to feel the energy, passion, and spirit of our student-athletes back on campus. They are an exceptional group, and spending time with them鈥攏o matter how long my to-do list in the office may be鈥攊s always a highlight.
Here are three things that stood out immediately:
- Outstanding recruiting by our coaches. Our incoming athletes bring both talent and excitement, particularly in soccer, where both programs had to reload after graduating large senior classes. These new Prairie Stars are ready to make an impact right away.
- A hunger to achieve more. Every one of our fall teams finished in the GLVC's top eight last year鈥擴IS was the only school in the league to achieve that across the board. But our returners aren't satisfied; they're determined to raise the bar even higher this season.
- Four new head coaches already making a difference. Even in a short time, I can see the energy and vision they bring. Their leadership will shape the future of Prairie Stars Athletics in meaningful ways.
Let me briefly introduce them:
- Laura Ulrich (Volleyball) A Morton, Illinois, native, Laura has returned home after successful coaching stops at Arkansas Tech, Montevallo, Texas Woman's, and most recently as head coach at St. Mary's (TX). She's a proven program builder and a terrific teammate to work with.
- Josh Edison (Golf) Springfield's own, Josh brings both competitive playing experience and coaching stints at Illinois College and Heartland. His recruiting strategy will focus on keeping the region's top golfers close to home鈥攁nd quickly elevating UIS golf in the GLVC.
- Henrique Leal (Men's & Women's Tennis) A former standout player at Belmont Abbey and Catawba, Henrique has already shown how his enthusiasm connects with student-athletes, recruits, and alumni. His passion for building relationships will fuel the growth of our tennis programs.
- Chris Rodriguez (Baseball) After guiding the team to a 20-6 record and a GLVC runner-up finish as interim head coach, Chris has officially taken the reins. With a strong staff in place and a talented recruiting class, he has set the stage for an NCAA-worthy campaign.
In addition, we've added or promoted nine new assistant coaches. From my vantage point in TRAC, I can confidently say our coaching staff is stronger today than it was a year ago.
The future is bright for Prairie Stars Athletics. I encourage you to visit our website and聽聽on our teams through the Fan Zone. Stay connected with our coaches and student-athletes as we launch what promises to be an exciting 2025-26 season.
I look forward to seeing you at a game soon.
Go Prairie Stars!
Mike Hermann
Director of Athletics