For a hockey team that is 8-14-4 overall and in sixth place in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Illinois-Chicago has recorded a healthy share of upsets this season. Three of the Flames` victims-Lake Superior State, Michigan and Michigan State-have been ranked among the country`s top five teams when UIC beat them at the Pavilion.
The Ferris State jinx, however, continues.
UIC tied Ferris State 1-all on Friday and lost 3-2 on Saturday to remain winless against coach Larry Pedrie`s alma mater in Pedrie`s eight attempts. Pedrie, who was graduated from Ferris State in 1981, is now 0-6-2.
Freshman Jon Hillebrandt improved his save percentage from .876 to .883, moving into fourth place among CCHA goalies. Hillebrandt ranks second in saves (728) and minutes played (1,450).
The men`s gymnastics team struggled but still beat Wisconsin-Oshkosh 266.85-255.60 last weekend. It was the Flames` lowest team score since early January. Rick Simonski led the way, taking his third straight all-around title (55.20), winning still rings (9.60) and taking first on pommel horse with a 9.40, equaling his best score of the year. Shaun Bonavita tied Simonski on pommel horse and scored a 9.10 on high bar.
Northern Illinois defeated UIC 124-116 in men`s swimming and 150-88 in women`s swimming, but Brett Wilson remained undefeated this season in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:58.64. Freshman Tyler Koyl won the 500 freestyle and took second in the 200 IM and 200 butterfly.
UIC`s win over Eastern Illinois Saturday improved the men`s basketball team`s record to 7-4 in the Mid-Continent Conference. The Flames` seven league victories are the most in coach Bob Hallberg`s 1/2 years at UIC. With six more regular season games and at least one tournament game to go, UIC (11-10 overall) needs five more wins to match Hallberg`s single-season high.
A $280,000 donation from Chicago resident Sidney Port will enable UIC to create an Academic Resources Center as well as establish an endowment to support the facility`s operation with books, furniture, computers etc.
Port, a 1933 graduate of Illinois-Champaign is the founder and chairman of the Executive Committee of Lawson Products Inc., a supplier of industrial maintenance products.
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The Academic Resources Center, to be located in the Physical Education Building, will house the offices of the academic tutor and staff as well as facilities for the tutoring and study table programs.