December 7, 2023
 
Flames Faithful,
 
Welcome to the first installment of this quarterly communication designed to share the latest news and notes from UIC Flames Athletics. As we near the end of the semester, let's recap a momentous fall and look ahead to 2024.
 
HISTORIC GIFT FOR FLAMES SOFTBALL
As we announced last week, Sandy Wichelecki ('83) and Suzanne Dukes made the largest donation to women's athletics in school history to lead the development of a new clubhouse for UIC Softball. The gift is also the largest by a former female student-athlete, as Wichelecki was a standout at third base for the Flames from 1979-82.
 
Sandy's and Suzanne's commitment to investing in future generations of Flames and to promoting women's education through sports is truly remarkable.  We hope their leadership inspires you to also support this exciting initiative for our softball student-athletes. To learn more and to donate, please visit the Softball Clubhouse project website.  The project is targeted for construction and completion in spring 2024.
 
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
UIC's 300 student-athletes continue to set new standards for excellence in the classroom, posting a school-record 93% Graduation Success Rate. This marks eight consecutive years of rising graduation rates for Flames student-athletes. 
 
 

Moreover, the UIC student-athlete Federal Graduation Rate of 77% is 15% higher than the general student graduation rate of 62%.
 
Entering fall final exams this week, UIC's 300 student-athletes are poised to post a cumulative GPA above 3.0 for a program-record 19th consecutive semester.  In addition, 13 Flames across five sports will earn their degrees in mathematics, kinesiology, biological sciences, business analytics, integrated health studies, and more. Congratulations to our newest UIC graduates!
 
 
BASKETBALL SEASON TIPS OFF
Flames basketball is off and running for 2023-24, with our programs going a combined 10-5 through the first month of the season.
 
Men's basketball is 5-3, including a pair of away wins over Atlantic 10 opponents Loyola (on the road) and previously-unbeaten George Washington (neutral-site tournament in the Bahamas). The Flames debuted at No. 52 in the season's first NET rankings and are among the best defensive units in the MVC early in the season. UIC presently ranks No. 2 in the nation in three-point percentage defense, while ranking at or near the top of the MVC in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, and blocked shots. Isaiah Rivera recently earned MVC Player of the Week honors and ranks among the top 10 nationally in three-point shooting. 
 
Women's basketball continues to ascend and redefine program expectations under head coach Ashleen Bracey's leadership. The squad's 5-2 record includes early road wins over Loyola and Milwaukee. The Flames are getting it done on both ends of the floor, averaging more than 80 points per game and ranking second in the MVC in shooting percentage, while also leading the league in steals. Makiyah Williams was recently named MVC Newcomer of the Week, while point guards Kristian Young and Sandra Frau-Garcia lead the league in assists.
 
     
 
Grab your seats for all the action at Credit Union 1 Arena this month and as we move into the heart of conference play in January and February. Our basketball teams need your support to create a home court advantage for Chicago's College Team this winter.
 
FALL SPORTS WRAP UP
Your UIC Flames are rising to challenge in our second season in The Valley, as men's soccer, women's soccer, and volleyball each made the semifinals of their respective MVC championships. Volleyball finished third in the regular season standings for the second consecutive year, while men's soccer (3rd) and women's soccer (4th) both earned host seeds for league championships.
 
Multiple Flames were also honored for their outstanding individual achievements this fall.

         
 
WOMEN'S GOLF CARDS RECORD-SETTING FALL
UIC women's golf recently concluded its best fall in program history under the leadership of first-year head coach Angela Rayhill. The Flames finished in the top three in four of their five events, won two individual titles, and broke numerous school records. Graduate student Dasa Urbankova led the way for UIC and was honored as MVC Golfer of Week three times.

?? Dasa Urbankova reflects on her strong fall season in which she won two individual titles, broke numerous school records and was a 3x MVC Golfer of the Week.

She also touches on how she's approached the mental side of her game this season.@UIC_WGOLF | #ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/CGlb1HNaiU

— UIC Flames ?? (@UICFlames) November 13, 2023

THE CHICAGO COLLECTIVE
The Chicago Collective launched in August to help UIC student-athletes capitalize on their name, image, and likeness. Fans can now support Flames student-athletes directly by joining The Chicago Collective. 
 
Visit TheChicagoCollective.com to learn more and to get involved.
 

Learn more about The Chicago Collective ??@Chicago_NIL | #ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/D4Tb0HUscL

— UIC Flames ?? (@UICFlames) August 31, 2023

BASEBALL & SOFTBALL RELEASE 2024 SCHEDULES
The Flames baseball program released its 2024 schedule highlighted by nine games against Power Five programs (Kansas, Purdue, Northwestern, and Iowa) and 27 MVC contests. The Flames will host conference foes Southern Illinois, Murray State, Valparaiso, and Illinois State in a five-week stretch between April 5 and May 12, so make your plans to be at Curtis Granderson Stadium this spring.

Earlier this week, the UIC softball program announced its 2024 schedule, highlighted by non-conference tournaments at Florida, USF, FIU, Cal State Fullerton, and Lipscomb, along with 27 MVC games. All 13 home dates in the spring are conference contests against Southern Illinois, Indiana State, Illinois State, Drake, and Valparaiso. We'll see you out at Flames Field in just a few months.
 
WELCOME HOME COACH LUMPKIN ROBINSON
Please join me in welcoming home to Chicago our new women's tennis head coach, Elizabeth Lumpkin Robinson. A former WTA professional player, an NCAA Champion at UCLA, and the only four-time state champion in Illinois high school history, Coach Robinson returns to Chicago after six seasons as an assistant at the University of Oregon. She is a world-class person, coach, and player who will continue the tradition of excellence established by UIC legend Shannon Tully.  Come out to XS Tennis on the Southside to watch your Flames in action this spring.


 
On behalf of our Flames Family of student-athletes, coaches, and staff, we wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season. See you on campus soon … and Fire Up, Flames!
 
Michael Lipitz
Director of Athletics