University of Illinois, Springfield Women's Cheerleading

Olivia (Lett) Birt became the tenth head coach of the Illinois Springfield Women's Basketball Program when she joined the program in fall 2024. UIS was selected 10th in the 2024-25 preseason poll and with reasonable expectations Coach Birt led the Stars to a 5-23 record in her first year with the program. Even without a GLVC Championship Bid, the Lady Stars were still able to have a successful year in many ways. A highlight of the season was the Stars going on a 3 game win streak, racking up wins against Saint Ambrose, Indianapolis, and Truman State. 9 of the teams losses on the year were within 10 points or less, showing the Stars capability in matching their opponents efforts. The Stars ranked 43rd in all D-II Women's Basketball averaging 10.6 steals per game.  The Stars were successful off the hardwood as well under Coach Birt. The Women's Basketball team contributed to a set a University record of earning a 3.59 GPA in the fall 2024 semester. As well as setting a University record for semester GPA, the Women's Basketball team was a part of earning the GLVC Team Academic All Conference award for 2024-25. Individual awards were earned as well. Kayla Rice was named to the Second team All-GLVC for her athletic achievement and performance, as well as being selected to the CSC Academic All-District Team.    Birt came to Springfield from Decatur, Ill., where she was the head coach for women's basketball at Millikin University. She led Millikin to a 105-48 record in six seasons in which the team won two regular season CCIW titles and two CCIW tournament titles. The Big Blue ended the 2023-24 season in the NCAA DIII Women's Basketball Tournament and boasted a 23-6 overall record.    She has expressed enthusiasm about remaining in Central Illinois and building something special at UIS, while also expressing deep appreciation for her six years at Millikin and the support she received from the Decatur community. Before Millikin, she spent two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Chicago, preceded by three seasons as an assistant at Illinois Wesleyan University. As a player, then known as Olivia Lett, she starred at Illinois Wesleyan, helping lead the Titans to the 2012 NCAA Division III National Championship. A standout at Pana High School, she went on to play professionally in Spain, where her team reached the Liga Femenina 2 finals and she was named to both the All-Imports First Team and the All-League Second Team. In 2017, she was selected to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) “30 Under 30” program, which honors rising coaches for leadership, community service, and impact on the sport. Lett earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Illinois Wesleyan in 2012 and later completed a Master of Science in Sport Management at Illinois State University. Lett Year-by-Year Coaching Record    Year School Overall Conference Place Postseason 2018-19 Millikin 8-17 4-12 8th 2019-20 Millikin 16-10 9-7 4th CCIW Tournament 2020-21 Millikin 11-3 8-3 2nd COVID Canceled Post Season 2021-22 Millikin 14-2 23-7 1st CCIW Champions, CCIW WBB Tournament Champions 2022-23 Millikin 24-5 15-1 1st CCIW Champions, NCAA D-III WBB Championships 2023-24 Millikin 23-6 13-3 3rd NCAA D-III WBB Championships 2024-25 UIS 5-23 4-16 14th 2025-26 UIS 0-0 0-0 UIS 5-23 4-16 Overall (Including Post-Season Record) 110-76 76-49  

Chris Rodriguez was hired as head coach of the Illinois Springfield baseball program in May 2025, after previously serving as an assistant coach with the Prairie Stars. During his time as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, Rodriguez played a key role in building a team that advanced to the 2025 GLVC Tournament Championship game and finished second in the conference standings. In 2025, the Prairie Stars led the GLVC in home runs and doubles, while ranking near the top in batting average, runs scored, and RBIs. UIS also led the conference in fielding percentage in back-to-back seasons (2024 and 2025). On the mound, the team posted a 5.62 ERA and held opponents to a .270 batting average. UIS allowed the fewest hits and home runs per game in the conference. Several players earned postseason accolades, including three all-region hitters and three All-GLVC pitchers, two of whom were first-team selections. Nationally, the Prairie Stars ranked in the top 10 in several offensive categories, including 7th in total home runs and 8th in home runs per game. They also ranked 13th in slugging percentage, tied for 17th in doubles per game, and finished top-35 nationally in batting average, total runs, and runs per game. Defensively and on the mound, UIS led the nation in fewest sacrifice bunts allowed and ranked 34th in strikeouts per nine innings. Rodriguez arrived at UIS after a diverse coaching journey that included stops at the collegiate, professional, and international levels. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Wright State, where he served as a volunteer assistant before being promoted to director of player development. He later held the same role at Central Florida before joining the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in 2020 in a player development and video assistant role, where he contributed to scouting, data collection, and pitch design for minor league affiliates. Following his time in professional baseball, Rodriguez worked at Jacksonville University as director of baseball operations and contributed to pitching development. In addition to his work in the U.S., Rodriguez gained international coaching experience with the Lithuanian National Team. He helped guide the team to a Pool B Championship in the Confederation of European Baseball, overseeing pitching, scouting, and conditioning duties during the tournament run. Rodriguez also has a track record of helping players reach the next level, including UIS pitcher Jacob Newman, who played under Rodriguez in 2024 before signing professionally with the Windy City ThunderBolts. As a player, Rodriguez began his collegiate career at Spring Hill College before transferring to Volunteer State. He then stood out at Kishwaukee College, posting an 8–2 record with 97 strikeouts in 74 innings, earning NJCAA All-Region IV honors and leading his team to an Arrowhead Conference title. He concluded his career at Wright State, contributing to a 2018 Horizon League Championship and NCAA Regional appearance. Rodriguez holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Wright State University and a master’s degree in kinesiology from Jacksonville University.  

Shaina Ford serves as the Head Cheer Coach at UIS. She brings years of cheerleading experience both as an athlete and a coach, having been involved in the sport since the age of five through competitive and school cheer. Before joining UIS, Ford was the head cheer coach at Rochester High School, where she directed a squad of more than 20 student-athletes. In that role, she organized daily practices, choreographed game-day and competition routines, and prepared athletes for regional and state-level competitions. She also oversaw team operations including rosters, travel logistics, fundraising, and uniform coordination, while fostering teamwork, sportsmanship, and school spirit. In addition to her coaching background, Ford holds a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Criminology from Indiana State University and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management from the University of Illinois Springfield. At UIS, she focuses on developing athletes’ technical skills in stunts, tumbling, and performance while creating an energetic and engaging game-day atmosphere. Her coaching emphasizes safety, leadership, and pride, with the goal of helping student-athletes grow as performers and representatives of the Prairie Stars.

Emmons King is in his third season leading the UIS cross country/track and field program in 2024–25, having officially been named head coach in the summer of 2025 after serving three years in an interim role. He has been a member of the program since 2018, first competing as a runner from 2018-2021, then serving as an assistant coach in 2021-2022. During the 2022-23 seasons, he helped UIS earn 18 all-conference awards, including seven individual GLVC Championships by three athletes.  The UIS Prairie Stars men's cross country team won its first GLVC Championship in 2022 after finishing in the top-3 every year since 2018. Wyatt McIntyre was the individual champion and GLVC Men's Cross Country Runner of the Year, while Coach King was the GLVC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year. The UIS men's cross country team earned a bid to the NCAA DII Cross Country Championships, its first team qualification for the meet. The team finished 6th as Wyatt McIntyre finished 26th overall to become UIS men's cross country's first All-American. UIS men's track and field finished 4th at the indoor and outdoor track and field GLVC Championships. In indoor track and field, five Prairie Stars earned seven medals in individual events, and were the GLVC Champions in the distance medley relay. Chris Cherry was the GLVC Men's Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year. UIS men's track and field nearly swept the distance events at the outdoor championships, winning all entered events including the 800m, 1500m, 5,000m, and 10,000m races and earning a total of seven medals. In his first season on the coaching staff, King helped UIS to a successful campaign, including a second-place finish for the men's program at the GLVC Cross Country Championships. During the men's cross country campaign, four runners earned all-GLVC honors, including GLVC Runner of the Year Blake Jones and GLVC Freshman of the Year Chris Cherry. Jones and Wyatt McIntyre also earned all-region and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships. On the women's side, King trained Taryn Christy, who was all-GLVC, all-region, and also advanced to the national race.   King also helped the Prairie Stars have five all-conference performers during the 2022 track seasons, including a GLVC Championship in the men’s outdoor 1,5000m, and runner-up finishes in the men's indoor distance medley relay and the men's outdoor 10,000m. The track program set 10 school records during the indoor and outdoor seasons.   While at UIS, King competed in 10 cross country meets and 15 track events over his three seasons. In track, he had six top-five finishes, and qualified for two GLVC Championship track meets. Since joining the cross country program in 2018, he has helped the team finish third or better in every conference meet.   King was a two-time member of the GLVC Academic All-Conference team. He was UIS’s male recipient of the Spalding Sportsmanship Award in 2020, and attended the 2021 NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar. King was also a valuable member of the UIS Athletics Gameday Staff during his three years as a student-athlete.   King attended Danville Area Community College for two years before coming to UIS. He is originally from West Lebanon, Ind. and was a cross country and track and field star at Seeger High School. Coach King earned his bachelor’s degree in business and his master’s degree in communication from UIS.  

Josh Edison was named head coach of the University of Illinois Springfield men’s and women’s golf programs in 2025. A Springfield native, Edison returned to UIS after serving as a volunteer assistant coach during the 2023-24 season. He brings collegiate head coaching experience from two programs in Illinois. He led the Illinois College golf teams from 2022 to 2024 and previously launched the first-ever golf program at Heartland Community College, where he coached from 2020 to 2022. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Edison also served as a Success Coach at Heartland, supporting students in their academic and personal development. Edison played collegiate golf at both Northern Illinois and Illinois State, completing his career with the Redbirds. A graduate of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, he was a multiple-time State Journal-Register CS8 Boys Golfer of the Year.

Henrique Leal was named head coach of the Illinois Springfield men’s and women’s tennis programs in 2025. He brings a strong background as both a student-athlete and collegiate coach, with previous coaching experience at Averett University and Catawba College. Prior to arriving at UIS, Leal served as the assistant men’s and women’s tennis coach at Averett, where he helped guide the women’s team to its first-ever ITA national ranking and its highest regional ranking in program history. He was responsible for a wide range of duties, including practice and match planning, recruiting, and supporting international student-athletes. Before his time at Averett, Leal spent a season as an assistant coach at Catawba College. There, he helped lead the women’s team to its first-ever ITA Division II national ranking. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, he was actively involved in team operations, recruiting, and fundraising efforts. Leal played collegiately at both Belmont Abbey College and Catawba College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management with a minor in marketing from Belmont Abbey and later completed a master’s degree in sport management at Catawba. A native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Leal is known for his strong leadership, competitive mindset, and emphasis on building a team culture rooted in accountability, character, and excellence. His coaching philosophy focuses on holistic development—helping student-athletes succeed both on and off the court. Leal succeeded Ross Graham, who served as interim head coach for three years and helped maintain stability during a key transitional period for the program.

Colin Wood was named the first head coach in the history of the University of Illinois Springfield women’s flag football program in January 2026. He will lead the Prairie Stars as the program prepares for its inaugural season in 2027. Wood brings a strong background in football coaching, program development, and student-athlete support, with experience spanning championship-level collegiate football and Power Five operations. He oversees all aspects of the UIS women’s flag football program, including recruiting, roster development, culture building, and day-to-day operations — with a focus on creating a supportive, team-driven environment. Most recently, Wood spent the 2025 season with the University of Florida football program as an Assistant Special Teams Analyst, gaining valuable experience in a Power Five environment and contributing to daily operations at the highest collegiate level. Prior to his time at Florida, Wood spent several seasons at North Central College, joining the Cardinals’ staff in 2020 as a defensive graduate assistant. He was promoted ahead of the 2022 season to special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach, while also serving as the program’s academic coordinator. In that role, Wood worked closely with student-athletes, coaches, and academic support staff to help foster success both on the field and in the classroom. Wood played a key role in North Central’s undefeated 2022 NCAA Division III national championship season. That year, the Cardinals ranked first among all Division III programs in points scored by kicking, 17th nationally in net punting, and 18th in kickoff coverage. North Central also reached the Division III national title game in each of Wood’s final six seasons with the program. His coaching experience also includes a season as an assistant football coach at West Aurora High School in 2019, where he supported player development, practice planning, and game-day operations. A native of Elgin, Illinois, Wood earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and secondary education from North Central College in 2019, followed by a master’s degree in sports leadership in 2022. As a student-athlete, he was a four-year member of the Cardinals’ football program and later served as a student assistant coach during his senior season, contributing to North Central’s first national championship team in 2019. With a foundation in championship culture, academic coordination, and athlete mentorship, Wood is leading UIS women’s flag football as the program enters its first chapter.  

Laura Ulrich became the head coach of the Prairie Stars in August 2025, bringing more than a decade of NCAA Division II volleyball coaching experience to Illinois Springfield. Ulrich is looking forward to leading a great group of Prairie Stars to a competitive season in the GLVC!  She most recently served as the head coach at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, where she led the program from 2021 to 2024. During her tenure, the Rattlers made their first-ever Lone Star Conference Tournament appearance and earned four top-10 finishes in one of the strongest conferences in Division II. Ulrich’s leadership also elevated the academic performance of the program, with her teams consistently achieving a GPA above 3.5 and earning five consecutive AVCA All-Academic Team awards. Under her guidance, St. Mary’s produced 10 All-Conference players, 8 Academic All-District honorees, and multiple All-Tournament and All-Freshman selections. Ulrich was appointed to the NCAA Head Coaches Committee in 2025, further demonstrating her leadership and respect within the national volleyball community. Prior to her head coaching role, Ulrich served as an assistant coach at Texas Woman’s University, University of Montevallo, and Arkansas Tech University. In each stop, she contributed to competitive and academically strong programs, helping guide multiple student-athletes to All-America and All-Region recognition while supporting team operations, recruiting, and academic success initiatives. A former NCAA Division II standout herself, Ulrich played at Arkansas Tech University from 2008–2011. Ulrich was an AVCA All-American, three-time All-Region and All-Conference honoree, and became just the fourth player in program history to record both 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills. She was nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year in 2012 and recognized as Arkansas Tech’s Most Outstanding Student-Athlete in 2011. Ulrich holds a Master of Science in College Student Personnel and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Spanish, both from Arkansas Tech. Ulrich now leads a new path for the Prairie Stars with a focus on developing competitive student-athletes, building a strong team culture, and continuing the tradition of academic and athletic excellence at UIS. Ulrich's Year-by-Year Head Coaching Record Year School Overall Conference Place Postseason 2021-22 St.Mary’s (TX) 14-11 8-9 10th Lone Star Tournament  2022-23 St.Mary’s (TX) 14-14 10-6 6th Lone Star Tournament 2023-24 St.Mary’s (TX) 12-15 7-9 11th 2024-25 St.Mary’s (TX) 17-11 9-7 6th Lone Star Tournament 2025-26 UIS 6-8 0-4 12th UIS 6-8 0-4 Overall 63-59 34-35

Miles is in her first season as an assistant on the softball coaching staff in 2024-25.  Miles completed her undergraduate degree at UIS in criminal justice/criminology in 2023. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in legal studies.  In her collegiate career for the Prairie Stars, Miles held a 4.06 ERA in 317 innings pitched with 28 wins and 268 strikeouts thrown. She was named the 2023 Female Athlete of the Year for UIS Athletics and to the GLVC Second Team her senior season. Miles was also the team captain, named team MVP, a multi-year Academic All-Conference honoree, and a two-time GLVC Pitcher of the Week.  She has previously worked as an assistant coach for both Rochester Junior and Senior High School in 2023 and 2024. Miles also is a pitching instructor at Tribe Softball Academy in Springfield.  Miles is from Springfield and attended Rochester High School.

Ashley Blevins Krivi serves as Assistant Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Coach for the UIS Prairie Stars, playing a key role in the expansion and development of the program. Her position was created as part of UIS’ commitment to building a more complete track & field roster, broadening the program’s competitive scope beyond distance events and strengthening its presence within the Great Lakes Valley Conference and NCAA Division II. Blevins Krivi specializes in sprints, relays, and jumps, bringing more than 15 years of coaching and athlete development experience to UIS. Her technical expertise and multi-event background support the Prairie Stars’ continued growth as the program builds toward comprehensive team scoring across all event groups. Prior to joining UIS, Blevins Krivi served as Assistant Track & Field Coach at North Mac High School, where she coached sprints and pole vault. During her tenure, she helped guide athletes to eight state-qualifying performances, including a state championship and state-record performance in the girls’ 4x100 relay. She previously spent nearly a decade as head coach at Auburn Junior High, leading the program to more than 40 state qualifiers and multiple state champions. She also coached at Springfield High School, coordinating sprints, hurdles, and jumps while contributing to one of the program’s top state finishes. A former student-athlete at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Blevins Krivi competed in sprints, jumps, and the heptathlon, gaining comprehensive experience across event disciplines. Her collegiate career during SIUE’s time in the GLVC provided firsthand knowledge of Division II competition and conference-level success. Blevins Krivi holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from SIUE and is pursuing a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction from Western Governors University. Her leadership and event expertise are instrumental as UIS continues to grow its track & field program alongside its rising cross country tradition, positioning the Prairie Stars for sustained success at the conference and national levels.

Hailey Parungao joined the UIS women’s soccer program as an assistant coach in 2025, bringing extensive experience in operations, coaching, and program management at multiple levels of the game. Most recently, Parungao served as the Director of Operations for Women’s Soccer at the University of Illinois, where she managed all day-to-day functions of the Illini program, team logistics, travel coordination, and player development support. She also held the role of General Manager and Technical Director for Peoria City, a Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) team, overseeing staffing, training methodology, game strategy, and player performance. In addition to her collegiate and semi-professional experience, Parungao has served as a head coach and coaching committee member with Morton United Football Club, guiding multiple youth age groups and emphasizing skill development, discipline, and team culture. She also worked with the Girls Academy League as an Event and Player Services Coordinator, enhancing player experiences and large-scale event operations, and with the U.S. Soccer Federation as a Youth National Teams Administrator, where she supported national team camps and player development initiatives. Parungao holds a Master of Education in Sports Administration from the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Sport Management, and Marketing from Indiana University.

Will Oberg is entered his third year as an assistant coach with the Illinois Springfield baseball program in 2025-26, where he transitioned into the role of recruiting coordinator while continuing to lead the team’s offensive development. Since joining the Prairie Stars coaching staff, Oberg has played a central role in building UIS into one of the top offenses in the GLVC and nationally. He has overseen hitting development, offensive game planning, and recruiting efforts that have helped elevate the program’s overall talent and depth. In 2025, UIS led the GLVC in home runs and doubles and ranked near the top in batting average, runs scored, and RBIs. Nationally, the Prairie Stars finished 7th in total home runs and 8th in home runs per game, while ranking 13th in slugging percentage, tied for 17th in doubles per game, and among the top 35 in batting average, total runs, and runs per game. UIS also led the conference in fielding percentage for the second straight year, reflecting the program’s balanced, fundamentally sound approach built through strong player development. Beyond his impact at UIS, Oberg spent the summer of 2024 as manager of the Rockford Rivets in the Northwoods League, where he guided the team to a franchise record for wins and helped them emerge as one of the league’s top teams. He first joined the Rivets in 2023 as hitting coach and led the club to a record-breaking offensive season, further establishing his reputation for developing high-level hitters and managing successful teams. Oberg’s connection to UIS began as a student-athlete in 2022–23, when he started 22 games and delivered a standout performance against Bemidji State, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. His experience as both a player and coach at UIS gives him a deep understanding of the program’s culture and the ability to build strong relationships with student-athletes. A native of Wayzata, Minnesota, Oberg began his collegiate career at Heartland Community College and Eastern Michigan University before transferring to Illinois Springfield. His diverse background in collegiate and summer league baseball has prepared him to excel as a recruiter, teacher, and mentor committed to advancing the Prairie Stars’ tradition of success.  

Seth Masters joined the University of Illinois Springfield baseball program as an assistant coach in fall 2025, ahead of the 2026 season. He served as a graduate assistant during the 2025–26 academic year, working under Head Coach Chris Rodriguez and Assistant Coach Will Oberg. Masters completed his playing career at UIS in 2025, capping off a strong senior season on the mound. He earned first-team honors on the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division II All-Region Team and was named a second-team All-Midwest Region selection by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). He also received All-GLVC First Team recognition as a relief pitcher. During his final season, Masters made a career-high 15 appearances, posting a 2.36 ERA and recording 10 saves, ranking eighth in the nation. A reliable leader throughout his career, he brought recent playing experience and a strong understanding of the team’s competitive culture to his coaching role.  

Elina Ivanova joined the Illinois Springfield tennis coaching staff as assistant coach in 2025. A standout student-athlete at Findlay, Ivanova brings a strong competitive background and international experience to the Prairie Stars program. Ivanova is a 2025 graduate of the University of Findlay, where she was a three-time All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference selection in women’s tennis. She earned first-team honors in both 2023 and 2025, and second-team honors in 2024. During her collegiate career, she helped lead the Oilers to a 19-4 overall record in her senior season, including a perfect 9-0 mark in conference play. Originally from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Ivanova is pursuing a master’s degree in data analytics at UIS while beginning her collegiate coaching career. 

Dave Ulrich joined the UIS volleyball staff as an assistant coach in January 2026, bringing extensive collegiate coaching experience at the Division II and NCCAA levels. He assists with all areas of the Prairie Stars program, including recruiting, player development, scouting and day-to-day operations. Prior to UIS, Ulrich spent four seasons on the coaching staff at St. Mary’s University (2021-25), where he helped guide the Rattlers to three Lone Star Conference Tournament Quarterfinal appearances. During his tenure, St. Mary’s consistently ranked among the national leaders offensively and at the net, including top-50 national rankings in kills per set, hitting percentage, and assists per set in 2024. The program also saw significant improvement in blocking, with team averages increasing each season and multiple players earning all-conference and all-freshman honors. Prior to St. Mary’s, Ulrich served as an assistant coach at Texas Woman’s University, where he worked closely with middle blockers and blocking schemes. His efforts helped the Pioneers rise from last to second in the Lone Star Conference in blocks per set in one season. Ulrich has also held head coaching positions at King University and Randall University, leading notable program turnarounds. At Randall, he guided the Saints to a NCCAA Division II Final Four appearance, earning NCCAA Southwest Region Coach of the Year honors and AVCA Thirty Under 30 recognition. A graduate of Lincoln Christian University with a degree in spiritual formation and ministry, Ulrich brings a well-rounded approach to coaching that emphasizes technical development, competitive growth, and program culture.

Jim Klein joined the UIS Athletics staff as an Assistant Flag Football Coach in January 2026. A longtime University of Illinois Springfield faculty member, Klein brings extensive experience in higher education and student support as the new UIS flag football program continues to grow and develop. Klein currently serves as chair of the UIS Department of Counseling and Social Work and as the University Ombudsman, roles in which he works closely with students, faculty, and staff to promote student success and well-being. He has been a valued resource to UIS Athletics for many years, offering guidance informed by his background as both an educator and former Division I student-athlete. His professional expertise in counseling and social work shapes a student-centered approach that emphasizes personal development, accountability, and holistic support. As a student-athlete, Klein lettered in football at the University of Illinois from 1992-94 as a wide receiver. He gained national recognition during the 1994 season when he caught a game-winning touchdown pass with 34 seconds remaining to secure a 24-21 victory at Michigan, marking Illinois’ first win in Ann Arbor in 27 years. Klein’s deep connection to UIS, combined with his experience in collegiate athletics and higher education leadership, reflects his strong commitment to serving students and advancing the mission of the university.