Former QU ace Martin moves one step closer to big leagues as non-roster invitee to Cubs’ spring training

Former Quincy University All-American left-hander Riley Martin reported to Chicago Cubs spring training over the weekend as a non-roster invitee to the big league camp. | Photo courtesy Iowa Cubs

QUINCY — The handyman work that comes with being a first-time home owner isn’t dramatically different from the challenges Riley Martin has experienced during his climb through the Chicago Cubs organization. You assess, game plan and attack. “I’m getting better with lots of trial-and-error stuff,” Martin said of his hammer and screwdriver skills. As for…

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Crim: Success of QU women’s basketball team is making Pepsi Arena electric environment once again

The steady play of veterans like senior guard Karsyn Stratton, left, and the leadership of second-year coach Courtney Boyd, right, has the Quincy University women's basketball team pointed in the right direction. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Little by little, the roar is returning to Pepsi Arena. The stands on the east side of the arena were nearly full for Saturday afternoon’s much-anticipated women’s basketball showdown between Quincy University and Drury. There was a vocal student section across from the Hawks’ bench that made its presence known, and fans were…

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QU women snap 17-game losing streak to Drury, move into second in GLVC after double-OT thriller

Quincy University guard Taya Stevenson, right, drives to the basket during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Drury at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics,

QUINCY — With her teammates celebrating and the Pepsi Arena crowd on its feet, Mariann Blass tried to soak in the scene as she dribbled the final seconds off the clock before tossing the ball into the rafters as the buzzer sounded. “It was incredible. The atmosphere was unlike anything I’ve ever played in front…

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Panthers bury Hawks with offensive surge over game’s final 12 minutes

Quincy University forward Logan Robbins scores at the rim during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Drury at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — The trends taking place within the Quincy University men’s basketball program need to change in a hurry. The Hawks suffered their sixth consecutive loss Saturday, falling 90-72 to Drury in Great Lakes Valley Conference action at Pepsi Arena. More concerning is how the loss unfolded. Quincy and Drury were tied at 56 with…

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Blistering effort from perimeter in first half enables Hawks to keep win streak alive

Quincy University junior guard Mikayla Huffine, right, drives into Missouri S&T's Anna Finley during Thursday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Missouri S&T’s game plan made sense. Over the previous eight games, the Quincy University women’s basketball team had shot 23.5 percent from 3-point range, including a 2-of-16 shooting against Upper Iowa and a 1-of-16 effort against William Jewell. So Thursday night at Pepsi Arena, the Miners packed the lane and challenged the Hawks…

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Hawks unable to sustain consistency on offense, fall to No. 5 Miners in GLVC play

Quincy University forward Josh Bocher, left, snares rebound in front of Missouri S&T's Zac Brown during the second half of Thursday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The mental wear and tear of the Quincy University men’s basketball team’s five-game losing streak is as damaging as the physical toll. “Get out of our heads,” junior point guard Ethyn Brown said. “That’s what we have to do. We know what kind of team we are and what we can do.” There…

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Photo gallery: QU basketball teams split GLVC twinbill with Missouri S&T at Pepsi Arena

From left, Quincy University's Nicole McDermott, Karsyn Stratton, Chomp Danso and Taylor Haase lock arms during a pregame ceremony Thursday night at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s basketball team extended its win streak to 11 consecutive games with Thursday night’s 76-61 victory over Missouri S&T in Great Lakes Valley Conference play at Pepsi Arena, while the QU men suffered their fifth straight loss with a 91-82 setback against the fifth-ranked Miners. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt…

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Schuckman: Killday’s message of Quincy being destination for local football talent is getting heard

QUINCY — The sign always reads “Welcome home.” That’s how Jason Killday wants it. Since taking over as the Quincy University football coach 14 months ago. Killday wanted high school players throughout West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri to view Quincy as a destination and not a leave-it-in-your-rear-view kind of place. “The goal for me is…

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Crim: Shift in Williams’ game helps Hawks become more dynamic, continue climbing GLVC standings

Quincy University senior forward Cymirah Williams hasn't had to shoulder the scoring load this season, but she's still averaging 9.9 points per game and continues to be a dynamic presence in the middle of the Hawks' lineup. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Cymirah Williams doesn’t try to hide her excitement. Her ever-present smile seems to grow broader with every victory by a resurgent Quincy University women’s basketball team. “To see how everyone on campus is showing so much love, recognizing how good we’re doing and the road we’re going down, it’s something to love,” she…

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Hawks continue piling up victories, use blistering start to knock off Bearcats

Quincy University sophomore guard Mariann Blass scored 17 points in Thursday night's 66-54 victory over Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

BOLIVAR, Mo. — As the win streak has grown, so has the Quincy University women’s basketball team’s rise in the Great Lakes Valley Conference standings. Now, the Hawks find themselves in territory they haven’t seen in nearly a decade. Thursday night’s 66-54 victory over Southwest Baptist at the Meyer Sports Complex moved the Hawks into…

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Halftime adjustments spark tide-turning run as QU women’s basketball team wins eighth straight

Quincy University forward Cymirah Williams attacks the Truman State defense during Saturday's game at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY— The Quincy University women’s basketball team knew it was just a matter of time. “We were in the locker room at halftime and kind of looked at each other and knew that we didn’t play our best basketball, and they just might have,” guard Nicole McDermott said. “So, we knew we were in a…

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Miscues in critical moments lead to QU men’s basketball team letting chance to win evaporate

Quincy University guard Camren Kincaid puts up a shot during Saturday's game against Truman State at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — It was another game the Quincy University men’s basketball team felt like it let slip away. The Hawks managed just one field goal in the final four minutes and turned the ball over with a chance to tie in the waning seconds Saturday afternoon, allowing Truman State to erase an eight-point deficit and…

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Hawks rely on power in paint to keep winning ways alive, extend streak to seven straight victories

Quincy University's Taylor Haase looks to score during Thursday night's great Lakes Valley Conference game against William Jewell at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Once the Quincy University women’s basketball team figured out what worked best, there was no reason to do anything else. The Hawks scored 40 points in the paint during a 48-point first half while building a 20-point lead that carried them to an 89-67 victory over William Jewell in Great Lakes Valley Conference…

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Miscues in final minute cost Hawks as Cardinals bury game-winning 3-pointer in waning seconds

Quincy University junior forward Logan Robbins chases down a loose ball during Thursday night's game against William Jewell at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — The combination of two mistakes led to one heart-breaking moment for the Quincy University men’s basketball team. The Hawks led William Jewell 65-64 in the final minute of regulation Thursday night at Pepsi Arena when they whittled the shot clock to 10 seconds before point guard Ethyn Brown had the ball stolen before…

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Blistering start, executing game plan carries QU women’s basketball team to sixth straight victory

Quincy University senior guard Karsyn Stratton dished out four assists in Monday night's 64-53 victory over Missouri-St. Louis at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — As much as Quincy University women’s basketball coach Courtney Boyd wants the Hawks to be cognizant of the game plan and the situations it creates, she wants them to enjoy the moment as well. She reminded them of that as the second half of their sixth straight victory unfolded Monday night. “Toward the…

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Hawks find toughness to go with defensive intensity down stretch, rally to beat Tritons

Quincy University guard Camren Kincaid helped spark a defensive effort that held Missouri-St. Louis scoreless the final 4:36 of regulation in Monday night's 79-76 victory for the Hawks at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Before Monday night was through and Quincy University men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt put himself and his phone to bed, he shot a text message to some of his players. It commended them for having toughness. “There was some toughness and resilience in the second half that was needed to beat a really…

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QU women’s basketball team uses closing kick to win fifth straight game after beating Upper Iowa

Quincy University senior guard Nicole McDermott swings a pass to the wing during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Upper Iowa at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Kari Ham, QU Athletics

QUINCY — When the situation called for a collective deep breath, the Quincy University women’s basketball players knew they needed to take it. “That’s what we did,” Hawks senior guard Nicole McDermott said. Quincy called timeout with 5 minutes, 24 seconds remaining in regulation Saturday afternoon after Upper Iowa’s Lindsey Davis scored to give the…

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Peacocks shoot down Hawks’ second-half rally, earn milestone victory for Upper Iowa coach

Quincy University freshman guard Max Booher, center, attempts to drive to the basket during the second half of Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Upper Iowa at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Kari Ham, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Brooks McKowen seemed less concerned about the water dripping from his dress pants than finding a way to dry off his children. “I was trying to keep my kids out of the water, to be honest with you, because we got to drive home now,” McKowen said with a chuckle. A celebratory moment…

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Glass cleaners: QU women’s basketball team owns rebounding edge in victory over Indianapolis

Quincy University guard Nicole McDermott finished with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds in Thursday's 73-54 victory over Indianapolis on the road. | Matt Schuckman photo

INDIANAPOLIS — With the weather wiping out last Sunday’s matchup with Missouri-St. Louis, Quincy University women’s basketball coach Courtney Boyd said it felt like the Hawks hadn’t played in two weeks. It had only been seven days since their victory over Lincoln. “I don’t know why it felt that way, but it seemed like we…

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QU women’s basketball team finds itself right back in groove following Christmas break

Quincy University sophomore guard Mariann Blass looks to make a pass from in front of the Lincoln bench during Friday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Cymirah Williams’ eyes got big and her smile widened. Asked how comfortable the Quincy University women’s basketball players were getting back on the Pepsi Arena floor for the first time in three weeks and just the second time in the last five weeks, the senior forward gushed over how seamless the transition felt.…

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One-point loss to Blue Tigers to gnaw at Hawks knowing they were one play away

Quincy University point guard Ethyn Brown attacks off the dribble during Friday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Lincoln at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The decision to postpone Sunday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup with Missouri-St. Louis due to impending weather was hardly ideal for the Quincy University men’s basketball team with no looming breaks in the schedule. Leaving the Hawks extra days to chew on Friday night’s 70-69 loss to Lincoln made it even worse. “It…

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College notebook: QU’s Dollard earns All-American honor, Truman State drops interim tag from Nesbitt’s title

Quincy University running back Teon Dollard received Don Hansen NCAA Division II honorable mention All-American honors after rushing for 961 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Cleaning out the notebook as 2025 begins to take shape … QU’s Dollard receives All-American honor Quincy University running back Teon Dollard became the program’s third player in the past five years to be named a Don Hansen NCAA Division II honorable mention All-American. Dollard, a 6-foot, 205-pound graduate student who transferred to…

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Hawks withstand Cardinals’ late surge, finish pre-Christmas slate above .500

Quincy University guard Jake Hamilton, right, gets a shot off over Saginaw Valley State's Maurice Anderson during Sunday's game in the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Some opponents just won’t go away. The Quincy University men’s basketball team is learning how to make them. Sunday’s 82-70 victory over Saginaw Valley State in the final game of the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic is a prime example. What seemed like a comfortable 18-point lead with eight minutes remaining in regulation dwindled to…

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Photo gallery: QU men’s basketball team heads into Christmas break after back-to-back victories

The Quincy University men's basketball team's bench reacts to a play in the second half of Sunday's game against Saginaw Valley State during the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Christmas is a little more enjoyable when you take a win streak home. The Quincy University men’s basketball players will do so after sweeping their two games in the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic, wrapping up the event Sunday with an 82-70 victory over Saginaw Valley State at Pepsi Arena. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt…

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Sharing is caring: Hawks take advantage of ball movement to blister nets in victory over Bears

Quincy University guard Max Booher, left, gets high-fives from his teammates after knocking down a 3-pointer that forced Barclay College to call a timeout during Saturday's game in the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Max Booher played it coy when it was suggested he likes shooting in Pepsi Arena. “A little bit,” Booher said with a wry smile. “Just a little bit.” Right now, no one shoots it better. Taking advantage of the Quincy University men’s basketball team’s increasingly better ball movement and several open looks from…

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Photo gallery: QU men’s basketball team erupts offensively against Barclay College

Quincy University point guard Ethyn Brown soars to the basket for a contested layin in the first half of Saturday's game against Barclay College in the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team scored 65 points and made 12 3-pointers in the first half of Saturday’s 116-73 victory over Barclay College in the first round of the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. The Hawks (5-5) will face Saginaw Valley State (4-4) at 3 p.m. Sunday. Muddy River Sports Editor…

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Hawks fight through top-ranked Lakers’ relentless pressure to stay within striking distance

Quincy University forward Acheampomaa Danso, right, reaches out to catch an entry pass while being guarded by Grand Valley State's Rylie Bisballe during Friday's game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Mariann Blass nodded her head in agreement. Standing near Quincy University women’s basketball teammate Nicole McDermott as they discussed Friday’s 73-58 loss to No. 1-ranked Grand Valley State, Blass couldn’t help but react to a question posed to McDermott about the Lakers’ baseline-to-baseline defensive pressure. Was Grand Valley State’s relentless effort taxing? “Yeah,…

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Photo gallery: QU women’s basketball team fights to keep pace with No. 1-ranked Grand Valley State

Quincy University's Karsyn Stratton ends up on the floor while scrambling for a loose ball during the first half of Friday's game against top-ranked Grand Valley State at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s basketball team put up a fight. The Hawks trailed top-ranked Grand Valley State by four points at halftime of Friday’s non-conference matchup at Pepsi Arena, saw the deficit balloon to 18 points and then whittled it back down to six with less than four minutes to play in regulation.…

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Hawks earn first GLVC road victory, pull away in second half behind tenacious defensive effort

Quincy University point guard Ethyn Brown, left, attacks Drury's Zach Howell off the dribble during Thursday night's game at the O'Reilly Family Event Center in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Drury Athletics

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Brad Hoyt admitted watching the Quincy University men’s basketball team play defense was fun. The offensive execution made him smile, too. A 19-6 run over the final eight minutes of the first half gave the Hawks a lead that continued to grow over the final 20 minutes Thursday night when Drury shot…

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Panthers pull away over final six minutes, keep Hawks winless in GLVC play

Quincy University guard Nicole McDermott, left, looks to attack while being defended by Drury's Josey Storey during Thursday night's game at th O'Reilly Family Event Center in Springfield, Mo. | Photo courtesy Drury Athletics

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The next step in the evolution of the Quincy University women’s basketball team is obvious even if it isn’t so simple. The Hawks have to learn to finish. Three nights after suffering a double-overtime loss at Upper Iowa, Quincy held a one-point lead with six minutes remaining in regulation against Drury in…

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Sizzling finish offensively lifts QU women’s basketball team to victory at Truman State

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Some changes to the Truman State University women’s basketball team’s lineup Saturday — most notably the absence of post player Maddie Niemeier — created unique challenges and opportunities for Quincy University. The Hawks finally took advantage of them over the game’s final 16 minutes. Quincy whittled an eight-point deficit to two by…

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Schuckman: Lepper was big man with big heart, big laugh and big personality

Tom Lepper, who spent 25 seasons as an assistant coach within the Quincy High School boys basketball program after being an all-state forward for the Blue Devils, passed away Thursday following a battle with brain cancer. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — When Tom Lepper stepped away from his role as an assistant coach with the Quincy High School boys basketball program two seasons ago due to health concerns, a number of people asked if a story would follow. The only way I’d write one, I continuously reiterated, was if he wanted to talk about…

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QU’s Wijnbergen is named GLVC Player of the Year on eve of conference volleyball tournament

Quincy University senior attacker Emma Wijnbergen was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year on Thursday. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Emma Wijnbergen’s record-setting season earned her recognition as the best the Great Lakes Valley Conference has to offer. Wijnbergen, a senior attacker on the Quincy University women’s volleyball team, was named the GLVC Player of the Year on Thursday, becoming the first Hawk to receive the league’s top postseason honor. Wijnbergen led the…

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Motherhood changes everything for Schissel, who resigns as QU women’s soccer coach

Quincy University women's soccer coach Macknezie Schissel recently resigned after three seasons at the helm. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Mackenzie Schissel hadn’t ever considered a life away from the game. “I was coaching until the day I died,” the Quincy University women’s soccer coach said. Then along came Marlee. The 1-year-old daughter of Schissel and her husband, Matt, who is the QU head baseball coach, made the coaching couple reassess everything and…

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Steal and score by Sieger in closing seconds puts exclamation point on Hawks’ comeback

First-year Quincy University men's basketball coach Brad Hoyt saw his team erase a 10-point deficit Saturday night in a 71-68 victory over Missouri Southern at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — El Sieger figured out Jaden Taylor’s modus operandi. So when the Missouri Southern basketball team’s leading scorer decided to attack off the dribble and headed toward the left elbow, Sieger knew where to be and how to react. “I just recognized he had finished over a couple of people before, so likely he…

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Fourth-quarter surge allows QU women’s basketball team to rally to split weekend slate

Quincy University guard Nicole McDermott drives the baseline during Saturday's game against Washburn in the Hansen Spear Funeral Home Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Kari Ham, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Washburn guard Peyton Sterk’s 3-pointer half a minute into the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon could have been the dagger in a winless weekend for the Quincy University women’s basketball team. Instead, it brought out the fight in the Hawks. Mariann Blass answered with a 3-pointer that ignited a 24-point burst over the final…

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Schuck on a Truck: QU coach Jason Killday discusses reaching five-win plateau in GLVC

QUINCY — The Quincy University football team’s struggles within the Great Lakes Valley Conference since the league introduced football as a championship sport have been well-documented. That narrative is changing. The Hawks finished the GLVC season with a 5-3 record, marking the first time they have won more than four games in league play ever.…

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‘The first one at home just feels right’: Hawks win Hoyt’s Pepsi Arena debut as head coach

Quincy University men's basketball coach Brad Hoyt, right, watches a play unfold while squatting in front of the Hawks' bench during Thursday night's home opener against Hannibal-LaGrange University at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Brad Hoyt wasn’t expecting to be hit by a tsunami from water bottles as he entered the Quincy University men’s basketball team’s locker room Thursday night. “I got soaked,” the Hawks’ first-year head coach said. “I think some of them refilled their bottles and got me again.” They wanted to make the celebration…

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Photo gallery: Strong second half carries Hawks to victory over Trojans in home debut

Quincy University junior forward Logan Robbins lets out a yell while the Hawks were playing defense during Thursday night's game against Hannibal-LaGrange University at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team allowed Hannibal-LaGrange to score just 10 points over the game’s final 10 minutes to earn a 75-61 victory Thursday night in its home debut at Pepsi Arena. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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QU’s Wijnbergen, Kasavica receive GLVC weekly volleyball honors after weekend sweep

Quincy University senior right side hitter Emma Wijnbergen broke the single-season school record for kills last weekend, a performance that earned her Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A record-setting weekend led to Emma Wijnbergen receiving another Great Lakes Valley Conference weekly honor. The same goes for Elena Kasavica. Wijnberegen, the Quincy University women’s volleyball team’s senior right side hitter set the program’s single-season record for kills as the No. 20 Hawks swept a pair of GLVC matches, beating No. 18…

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Hawks reach new victory plateau in GLVC play as Dollard, offensive line dazzle in running game

Quincy University coach Jason Killday has led the Hawks to a five-win GLVC campaign for the first time ever following Saturday's 34-25 victory at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

BOLIVAR, Mo. — An unattainable number has finally been reached. Another is now within sight. Saturday’s 34-25 victory over Southwest Baptist allowed the Quincy University football team to finish its Great Lakes Valley Conference slate with a 5-3 record, marking the first time since the league added football as a championship sport the Hawks have…

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Haase’s big effort pushes Hawks to weekend sweep and perfect start to season

Quincy University forward Taylor Haase scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Saturday's victory over Cedarville in the GMAC/GLVC Regional Crossover in Cedarville, Ohio. | Matt Schuckman photo

CEDARVILLE, Ohio — Game by game, the Quincy University women’s basketball team is erasing eight seasons of frustration and futility. After opening the season with a four-point victory Friday night — the Hawks hadn’t won a season opener since 2015 — they completed a weekend sweep in the GMAC/GLVC Regional Crossover by beating Cedarville 76-55…

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QU women’s basketball team finishes strong, wins first season opener since 2015-16 season

CEDARVILLE, Ohio — One of the biggest takeaways from Courtney Boyd’s first season as the Quincy University women’s basketball coach was the Hawks needed to learn to finish what they start. Friday, they finished with a flourish. The Hawks kickstarted Boyd’s second campaign by responding to a fourth-quarter surge from Ursuline College by closing the…

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Hawks ready to make significant strides in Boyd’s second season at helm

Nicole McDermott, a graduate transfer, will add depth to the Quincy University women's basketball team's backcourt and help instill the winning culture second-year coach Courtney Boyd expects. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Learn from the past, but don’t dwell on it. That’s Courtney Boyd’s approach. Entering her second season as the Quincy University women’s basketball coach, Boyd saw the Hawks limp to the finish line, losing six of their final seven games to finish with a 10-18 record. Five of those six losses were by…

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Hawks confident foundation for success is set, remain encouraged by progress being made

Quincy University sophomore guard Jake Hamilton, left, drives into the defense of teammate Ethyn Brown during a practice at QU's Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Mason Wujek doesn’t consider himself a Jenga expert by any means. “I’m not very good at it,” he said. The good thing is he doesn’t have to play it alone. Now in his third season with the Quincy University men’s basketball program and experiencing his second rebuilding project in that time, the 6-foot-8…

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Schuckman: Hoyt, Hawks ready to meet challenges game day presents

Quincy University men's basketball coach Brad Hoyt will lead the Hawks into their first game under his command at 6 p.m. Friday when they face the University of Findlay in the GMAC/GLVC Regional Crossover in Findlay, Ohio. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — In the days leading up to their first road trip of the season, Quincy University men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt asked each of his players to come by his office for a one-on-one chat. “It’s a good check-in,” Hoyt said. All with a purpose. Hoyt can gauge the pulse of his new team…

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McLaughlin steps aside as QU sprint football coach

Conner McLaughlin resigned after three seasons as the Quincy University sprint football coach. | Photo courtesy QU athletics

QUINCY — Conner McLaughlin helped bring the Quincy University sprint football program to life. The next coach’s challenge will be to continue the upward trajectory. Late last week, McLaughlin resigned as the Hawks’ head coach after three seasons at the helm. QU athletic director Josh Rabe said a search for McLaughlin’s replacement begins immediately. A…

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College soccer notebook: Former QU skipper Musso earns Coach of the Year honor in OVC

Former Quincy University women's soccer coach Dave Musso, now the head coach at Lindenwood, was named the Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year. | Photo courtesy Lindenwood Athletics

St. CHARLES, Mo. — Dave Musso added another Coach of the Year honor to an already extensive collection. The former Quincy University women’s soccer coach earned his first postseason honor at the NCAA Division I level when he was named the Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year after guiding Lindenwood to a third-place finish…

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Hawks’ Dollard earns GLVC weekly honor after rising to occasion in victory over Cardinals

Quincy University running back Teon Dollard was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 160 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-20 victory over William Jewell. | Photo courtesy Kari Ham, Quincy University athletics

QUINCY — Teon Dollard may not be the leading rusher in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, but he proved last Saturday he’s the best. In a head-to-head matchup with William Jewell’s Keandre McCullough, Dollard stole the show as he churned out 160 yards rushing on 29 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead the Quincy…

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Quincy University inducts Class of 2024 into Sports Hall of Fame

Mark Mahn, representing the 1994 football team, speaks during Saturday's Quincy University Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony in the Hall of Fame Room inside the QU Health & Fitness Center. | Photo courtesy QU Community Relations

QUINCY — Quincy University added six student-athletes, one team and four others to its Hall of Fame during induction ceremonies last Saturday in the Hall of Fame Room inside the QU Health and Fitness Center. The student-athletes inducted were Josh Breitbach (football), Torie Bunzell Kueker (softball), Ashley Kreis Skidmore (women’s soccer), Jessica Keller (women’s basketball),…

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Hawks’ tenacity and toughness not enough to overcome key miscues in loss to Bulldogs

Quincy University running back Kamrin Cox gets stacked up by the Truman State University defense during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jason Killday’s coaching past ran into his future Saturday, and to no surprise, the two looked remarkably the same. That should leave those around the Quincy University football program encouraged despite the 28-21 loss to Truman State University in Great Lakes Valley Conference play at QU Stadium. The Hawks played the way Killday,…

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COLLEGE ROUNDUP: QU football falls at Indy, but volleyball remains perfect in GLVC play; Wildcats host highly-ranked teams on the pitch

Quincy senior wideout Anthony Gilpin, Jr. hauled in six passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's loss at UIndy. - Jared McFarlane, GLVC

INDIANAPOLIS – The Quincy University football team faced #21 University of Indianapolis Saturday night and fell 47-10. The Hawks did strike first as quarterback Drake Davis hit Anthony Gilpin Jr. with a 28-yard touchdown pass on the game’s first drive to give QU a 7-0 lead. Quincy was within striking distance after the first quarter,…

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Schuck on a Truck: QU men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt discusses start of preseason practices

QUINCY — The weather Saturday didn’t mirror what many of us think of when we talk about basketball season, which normally invokes images of a winter coats and snow-covered roads. However, the 90-degree sun-splashed day made it ideal for the Quincy University men’s basketball team to stay inside. The Hawks officially began practice for the…

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Hawks bring Abe’s hat home after bounce-back effort leads to victory over Bearcats

The Quincy University football players celebrate with the Land of Lincoln Trophy following their 34-10 victory over McKendree on Saturday at Leemon Field in Lebanon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, McKendree athletics

L:EBANON, Ill. — If the hat is your reward, you might as well wear it. So some of the Quincy University football players — maybe even the head coach — donned the Abraham Lincoln-style black stove top hat that has become the traveling trophy for the annual Land of Lincoln battle with McKendree. The Hawks…

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College gameday: Hawks and Bearcats to square off in Land of Lincoln rivalry game

Quincy University running back Teon Dollard has rushed for 100 or more yards in each of the Hawks' first three games. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — There’s a little more at stake when the only NCAA Division II football programs in Illinois square off Saturday. Quincy University and McKendree will play for the Land of Lincoln Trophy for the first time, as was announced by the schools in late August. The rivalry has been one-sided with McKendree winning 10…

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‘It’s not a good feeling’: Peacocks rally in second half to hand Hawks first loss of season

Quincy University running back Teon Dollard gets wrapped up by the Upper Iowa defense during the first half of Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University football players met a harsh reality as the clock ran out on Saturday’s game. “We learned we can be beat,” senior safety David Lewis said. “We’re not invincible.” Not that the Hawks believed they were immune to adversity following a 2-0 start to the season, but they never envisioned letting…

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Beretti’s barrage of kills catapults QU women’s volleyball team to GLVC victory over Missouri S&T

Quincy University outside hitter Susanna Beretti, right, goes up for a kill during Saturday's match against Missouri S&T at Pepsi Arena. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s volleyball team fed the hot hand, and the Hawks parlayed that momentum into one of their most dominant sets of the season. In Saturday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference and homecoming match against Missouri S&T, Quincy sophomore outside hitter Susanna Beretti finished the third set with three straight kills, and…

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Photo gallery: QU football team takes on Upper Iowa in homecoming game at QU Stadium

Quincy University wide receiver Anthony Gilpin Jr. gets picked up by offensive lineman Nate Smith after scoring on a 6-yard touchdown pass during Saturday's game against Upper Iowa at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy University football team allowed a fourth-quarter lead to slip away Saturday as the Hawks suffered a 29-27 loss to Upper Iowa in Great Lakes Valley Conference play on homecoming weekend at QU Stadium. Muddy…

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Hawks display moxie in fending off Prairie Stars’ late push to earn tie in GLVC matchup

Quincy University goalkeeper Julia Mincher battles with Illinois-Springfield's Abby Dellamorte for possession in the box during Sunday's game at Legends Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The dominoes aren’t falling the way they once were. Leading Illinois-Springfield by a goal deep into the second half of Sunday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup at Legends Stadium, the Quincy University women’s soccer team surrendered a goal in the 76th minute. It didn’t devolve into two or three goals, the same way…

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Photo gallery: QU, UIS square off in GLVC soccer doubleheader at Legends Stadium

Quincy University goalkeeper George Roke stops a shot on a breakaway by Illinois-Springfield in the second half of Sunday's game at Legends Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — Surrendering late goals cost the Quincy University men’s and women’s soccer teams the opportunity to come out on top in Sunday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader against Illinois-Springfield at Legends Stadium. The QU men allowed a…

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Blocked punt kickstarts second-half comeback as Hawks rally for GLVC victory over Miners

Quincy University quarterback Drake Davis, left, and offensive coordinator Jack Nelson led the Hawks to three second-half touchdowns Saturday night in a 21-14 come-from-behind victory over Missouri S&T in Rolla, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

ROLLA, Mo. — Jason Killday isn’t sure how accurate the stat actually is, but during his time as the offensive coordinator at Truman State University, he heard former Bulldogs coach Gregg Nesbitt say teams that block a punt win 90 percent of the time. Since taking over as the Quincy University football coach, Killday has…

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College Gameday: Quincy University at Missouri S&T

The Quincy University football team will play its first Great Lakes Valley Conference road game at 6 p.m. Saturday against Missouri S&T in Rolla, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The early-season bye week meant it has been two weeks since the Quincy University football team last took the field, but the Hawks have used their time diligently to ensure the first Great Lakes Valley Conference road game isn’t a wasted trip. Missouri S&T has won seven of the last eight meetings against…

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College notebook: Anderson piles up assists, Hamm wins college tourney, GLVC honors go to two Hawks

Saint Louis University senior midfielder Seth Anderson has four assists this season in helping the Billikens off to a 2-2-2 start to the season. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

ST. LOUIS — Seth Anderson’s newest moniker needs to be playmaker. Even his younger brother has been on the receiving end of Anderson’s skills at creating scoring opportunities. Anderson, a senior midfielder on the Saint Louis University men’s soccer team and a Quincy Notre Dame graduate, recorded his fourth assist of the season during Tuesday…

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Second-half goals propel QU women’s soccer team to first victory of season

Quincy University's Ella Wolfard, left, gains possession while being pressured by Lewis' Brynn Presley during Sunday's great Lakes Valley Conference game at Legends Stadium. | Photo courtesy QU Athletics/Kari Ham

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s soccer team broke through by scoring its first goal of the season in Friday’s neutral site loss to Bemidji State. Sunday, the Hawks broke through for their first victory of the season. Olivia Nelson and Daniella Segall scored second-half goals and the Hawks shut out Lewis over the final…

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Cann nets first career goal as Hawks erase deficit, salvage tie with Flyers in GLVC opener

Quincy University freshman forward Leo Cann goes up to win a ball in the air during Sunday's game against Lewis at Legends Stadium. | Photo courtesy QU Athletics/Kari Ham

QUINCY — Leo Cann’s first career goal and a stout defensive effort in the second half Sunday enabled the Quincy University men’s soccer team to salvage a 1-1 tie with Lewis in the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener at Legends Stadium. In doing so, the Hawks withstood a barrage. The Flyers outshot the Hawks 22-6…

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QU women’s volleyball team showcases tenacity, holds off Missouri S&T to finish weekend undefeated

Quincy University's Elena Kasavica, left, wins a ball at the net against Missouri S&T during Saturday night's final match of the Hawk Invitational at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy QU athletics/Kari Ham

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s volleyball team bookended its weekend by showing nothing is going to get it down. After opening the Hawk Invitational at Pepsi Arena on Friday with a four-set victory over William Jewell, the Hawks rebounded from two tough sets against Missouri S&T to win another four-set match Saturday and finish…

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Venvertloh’s goal sparks strong second half as Hawks knock off Pride

Quincy University sophomore forward Carter Venvertloh saves the ball along the endline during the first half of Wednesday's game against Purdue Northwest at Legends Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Carter Venvertloh and the Quincy University men’s soccer team notched their first goal, first victory and first upset in their final non-conference game. Venvertloh, the sophomore forward from Quincy High School, broke a scoreless tie when he scored off a Mathias Bringedal assist in the 49th minute, propelling the Hawks to a 2-1…

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Off and running: Ground game produces big results as Hawks win home opener

Quincy University tight end Garrett Drew, center, looks for running room after catching a pass during Saturday's game against Lincoln at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It’s a common theory that can lead to uncommon results. And there was nothing common about what transpired Saturday at QU Stadium. Backed by a ground game that churned out 248 yards rushing, the Quincy University piled up 515 yards of total offense in a 46-5 dismantling of Lincoln in the Great Lakes…

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Standing tall: QU defense’s unwillingness to budge results in season-opening victory

The Quincy University defense got a push on this play on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line and stopped Lincoln from scoring in the second quarter of Saturday's game at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — How the play impacted the scoreboard wasn’t of utmost concern. Certainly, the Quincy University football team’s defense didn’t want to allow a touchdown or wipe away the shutout it was pitching. But the Hawks knew making a goal-line stand at the start of the second quarter of Saturday’s home opener against Lincoln would…

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Photo gallery: QU football team opens season with emphatic victory over Lincoln

Quincy University coach Jason Killday earned his first career victory with Saturday's 46-5 whitewashing of Lincoln at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photo,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — With thunderstorms washing out the second half of last week’s trip to Drake and turning that into a no-contest, the Quincy University football team’s game Saturday against Lincoln became the Hawks’ season opener as well as…

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Schuckman: Hawks’ Inman adding his own chapter to legacy of wearing No. 22

Quincy University middle linebacker Brock Inman is carrying on the legacy of wearing No. 22 as well as being the leader of a stout defense. | Photo courtesy Jeb Jarman, QU athletics

QUINCY — The legacy isn’t in the jersey number, no matter how meaningful it is for Brock Inman to wear it. That legacy lies in the leadership and leverage of how he plays. To that end, he’s upholding the legacy of No. 22 quite nicely. Inman is the third consecutive anchor of the Quincy University…

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Weather denies Hawks chance to rally in second half as season opener is ruled no contest

The Quincy University defensive line anchored a unit that allowed just 10 points in the first half against Drake during Thursday night's season opener in Des Moines, Iowa. | Photo courtesy Jeb Jarman, QU football

DES MOINES, Iowa — The process was always going to outweigh the outcome. Still, the Quincy University football players and coaches would have liked another 30 minutes to see what the outcome could have been. Trailing Drake 10-0 at halftime in Thursday night’s season opener at Drake Stadium, the Hawks were forced to endure a…

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‘I love the big guys up front’: Play of defensive line will bolster QU football team’s aggressive nature

Second-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference linebacker Brock Inman returns as one of the anchors of one of the top defenses in the GLVC. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jaylin Vaughn wasn’t sure how to answer Quincy University football coach Jason Killday’s query. “At first, it caught me off guard,” the junior defensive tackle said. Killday kept coming to Vaughn and asking him, “Do you know what’s really fun?” The second-year transfer from Ellsworth Community College hesitated to give an answer, although…

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Hawks’ offense will focus on running game, but Davis’ return will open up passing game

Quincy University quarterback Drake Davis, who is entering his second season as the starter, understands how to direct the offense and limit mistakes. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Drake Davis was more observer than participant last spring when the Quincy University football team went through its first practices under first-year head coach Jason Killday and a new offensive staff. That might have been for the best. The senior quarterback was able to study the concepts and learn the progression Killday and…

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College gameday: Quincy University travels to Drake

Jason Killday will coach his first game as the Quincy University football coach when the Hawks kick off against Drake at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University football team will open its season — and the Jason Killday coaching era — with a road trip to face an FCS opponent. The Hawks will square off with Drake University, a member of the Pioneer Football League that is coming off an 8-4 season and an FCS playoff appearance.…

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Photo gallery: Hawks continue showing growth halfway through fall camp

Members of the Quincy Univerwity football team's defense going through drills at the start of practice Saturday night at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jason Killday used one term to describe the second week of the Quincy University football program’s fall camp. Growth. The first-year head coach has watched the Hawks develop some consistency and maturity in their first two weeks of practice. After a lackluster end to the first week, the Hawks made certain the second…

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Record-setting QHS quarterback values relationship built with QU coach, commits to play for Hawks

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little, left, and Quincy University coach Jason Killday talk during one of the Hawks' spring practices. Little verbally committed to QU on Friday. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Each Quincy University football practice Bradyn Little attended last spring allowed the Quincy High School quarterback to foster a stronger relationship with first-year Hawks coach Jason Killday. “I know who he is,” Little said. With that comes a level of comfortability that can’t be matched. “I trust him,” Little said. “That’s big for…

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Schuckman: Hawks see accountability, confidence, consistency grow with each practice

Quincy University senior offensive lineman Nate Smith, right, is helping set the appropriate tone as the Hawks wrap up the first week of fall practice. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The progression is designed to be natural. First, set the foundation. Then, add the layers. “We’re trying to build a structure here,” Brock Inman said. That’s why no one fretted when the Quincy University football team’s first fall practice wasn’t as crisp as anyone would have liked. The Hawks needed to lay the…

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Photo gallery: QU football team working way through first week of practice

Quincy University freshman offensive line Chris Flachs, a Quincy High School graduate, snaps the ball during Friday's practice at QU Stadium.

QUINCY — Each day, the repititions get a little quicker, the reactions get a little better and the intensity gets a little stronger. By the time the Quincy University football players go to full pads, they should be ready to rumble at full speed. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time with the Hawks…

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Crim: Former QU baseball coach releases book on his quarter-century spent scouting for MLB teams

The latest book written by former Quincy University baseball coach Jim Pransky chronicles his 25 years spent as a scout for Major League Baseball teams. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — One book is out, another is on the way. Former Quincy University baseball coach Jim Pransky has published a memoir based largely on the 25 years he spent as a scout for five Major League Baseball organizations. In “Baseball’s Test of Spirit: A Man’s Unlikely Odyssey into the Scouting World,” Pransky writes about…

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Former QU All-American Croes will start in American Association All-Star Game

Former Quincy University All-American infielder Dayson Croes will start for the West Division in the American Association All-Star Game on July 23 in Kansas City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Winnipeg Goldeyes

QUINCY — Make it two for two for Dayson Croes. An All-American infielder while playing for the Quincy University baseball team, Croes recently earned his second all-star honor in his second season playing professional baseball. He was named a starter for the West Division for the American Association of Professional Baseball All-Star Game. Croes, who…

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Two former QU men’s basketball assistant coaches find new positions at D-I, juco levels

Former Quincy University men's basketball assistant coach Tim Walsh, left, is the last of Steve Hawkins' staff to find another job. Walsh will be the top assistant coach at Jones College in Ellisville, Miss. Hawkins, second from left, is now an assistant coach at Southern Illinois University, while Pat Richardson, second from right, has joined the women's basketball staff at Jacksonville State and Troy Potts, right, will be on the staff at Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A pair of former Quincy University assistant men’s basketball coaches — one of whom is a former Hawks player — have landed new coaching gigs. Jestin Anderson, who spent the past four seasons at Maryville and was elevated to associate head coach prior to the 2022-23 season, has joined the staff at NCAA…

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Former QU assistant baseball coach becomes head skipper at NCAA Division II Saint Leo

Image courtesy Saint Leo University athletics

SAINT LEO, Fla. — Josh Keim is climbing the coaching ladder. After four highly successful seasons at Black Hawk College in Moline, Ill., the former Quincy University assistant baseball coach was named the head coach at NCAA Division II Saint Leo University on Friday, replacing Rick O’Dette, who resigned June 13. Keim played for O’Dette…

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Hoyt fills QU men’s basketball coaching staff with familiar names and faces

Justin Bottorff, who was a second-team all-state selection at Quincy Notre Dame and finished his collegiate playing career at Augustana College, will be a full-time assistant coach on Brad Hoyt's men's basketball coaching staff at Quincy University. | Photo courtesy Augustana College

QUINCY — Brad Hoyt believed there was one vital element necessary when constructing his coaching staff. Familiarity. The first-year Quincy University men’s basketball coach needed at least one coach familiar with the community, one familiar with the Great Lakes Valley Conference and the NCAA Division II level, and one familiar with himself and his coaching…

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