Illinois State’s sports world extends far beyond the Athletics Department. From cycling to dance to paintball to handball, there are dozens of sports clubs to choose from in Campus Recreation.

Today on STATEside, we meet the 50 members of the Illinois State hockey team, which is divided into two squads. The primary Division II team travels around the region, playing two-game weekends, all while balancing a weekly schedule of practices, workouts, meetings, homework and classes.

It’s a collection of highly talented players, many of whom were recruited to come to Illinois State. And the Division II team is having a great season, carrying a 14-4-1 record in the ACHA Central Region heading into this weekend’s road games against Loyola. (The Redbirds play their home games at Bloomington’s U.S. Cellular Coliseum or Pepsi Ice Center.)