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Read Exclusive Winter Season Previews

The Prairie Fire winter sports season is underway. Men’s basketball is heading in a new direction, starting with a new head coach with experience in building programs. Women’s basketball expects to be much improved in all aspects of the all-out up-tempo, pressing, and long-range shooting style of play called “Fireball.”

In the pool, the swim team will be focused on individual improvements throughout the season; the track and field teams are looking to continue improving this season and moving up in Midwest Conference standings; and wrestling will be tested this season with a difficult schedule.

Read more about the teams and Prairie Fire coaches' hopes for the season in exclusive previews for each sport:

• Men's Basketball
• Women's Basketball
• Wrestling
• Indoor Track and Field
• Swimming

Coach's Corner

Joe Norton
Wrestling Coach

Joe Norton took over the Prairie Fire wrestling program as the head coach in September 2013. He previously served as a graduate assistant wrestling coach at his alma mater, North Central College, from 2010 to 2012. Norton was a four-year varsity letter winner as a member of the North Central wrestling team between 2006 and 2010. He had 94 career victories on the mat and was a four-time NCAA regional place winner. He was a two-time conference runner-up, three-time tournament champion, seven-time tournament finalist, captain of a team ranked as high as #4 in NCAA Division III, and earned a #9 national ranking as an individual.

Describe our coaching philosophy.
As a coach my goals include using wrestling to educate and prepare my athletes for life, helping them have fun, teaching technical skills and striving to win. They should always be improving, regardless of the overall level they are at. And when they leave the program, they should feel that they have been given the tools necessary to experience success in their future endeavors.

Where do you see the program in five years?
In five years I expect our program to be able to compete at a regional and national level. Our roster will grow, ideally to 25 athletes, with at least two men per weight class. The wrestling program at Knox will attract some of the best wrestlers from around the country who want to get a quality education and compete at a high level.    

What will it take to get there?
It will take a lot of hard work in recruiting and development. The guys that are here will be provided with everything they need to experience success as both students and athletes. We will recruit quality student-athletes from around the country and bring them to Knox where they can receive a great education and be prepared for success in their careers after college. Everyone who passes through the wrestling program at Knox will have a great understanding of how to win and have fun.

Student-Athlete Spotlight

Jodi Marver '15 begins her junior season after a breakout sophomore campaign for the Prairie Fire. She started all 23 games and averaged a team-high 16.2 points, which ranked second in the Midwest Conference. Marver also led the team or shared team-high honors in points scored (373), 3-point baskets (51 -- tied for #1 MWC), total field goals (102), and free throws made (118).  

You are an education major. What's been your favorite class? My favorite class at Knox has been any of the education classes because in those I get to travel to the schools in Galesburg to help teach. I love being able to help with the children in the community and learn while I am doing it.

Describe your travel abroad experience. Last May, I traveled to Italy to play basketball with an organization called American International Sports Tours. When I wasn't playing basketball there, I got to travel and learn so much about the Italian culture. It was 10 days long and one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life.

What has been your greatest athletic challenge? I think my greatest athletic challenge has been to learn to not be hard on myself. Especially in "System" basketball, you cannot feel sorry for yourself after making a mistake. So, learning to let things go has been a challenge for me, but I hope to keep improving on that in the upcoming year.

What do you enjoy most about your team? Honestly, everything. The girls on the team are my best friends and I wouldn't trade any of them for the world. We all support each other so much on and off the court.

Read more about Jodi Marver.

Athletic News

Million-Dollar Estate Gift to Knox Football Program

Knox College's Prairie Fire football program is the beneficiary of a $1.6 million dollar boost from the estate of the late Vernon L. E. Stisser Jr., a 1962 Knox graduate and long-time trustee and donor to the College. The endowed gift, which will provide income annually in support of the football program in perpetuity. Read more about the gift.

Knox Launches National Search for Head Football Coach

Knox College Director of Athletics Chad Eisele '93 announced a national search for a full time football coach, allowing him to devote full time to leadership of the college's athletics program. "I have enjoyed coaching each of these teams immensely, but now it is time for me to turn my attention to coordinating activities and building all Prairie Fire teams and programs," Eisele said. Read more about the national search.

Basketball Homecoming Coming in January

Mark your calendar now for Knox Basketball Homecoming on Saturday, January 26. Gather with old friends and teammates, welcome new men's basketball coach Kevin Walden '01, and enjoy a day of basketball:

• 10 a.m. -- Men's and Women's Alumni Basketball
• 1 p.m. -- Women's Basketball vs. St. Norbert
• 3 p.m. -- Men's Basketball vs. St. Norbert

Following the games, there will be a K Club Pizza Party at Cherry Street Restaurant at 5 p.m. Let us know if you can make it!

Two Teams, Three Individuals Inducted into Hall of Fame

Two teams and three individuals were inducted into the Knox-Lombard Athletic Hall of Fame, which recognizes Knox's greatest athletes and teams. The inductees were

• The 1956 football team that finished the season as co-champion of the Midwest Conference
• 1957-58 men's basketball team that represented the conference in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history
• Victor Garcia '03, one of the most prolific scorers to ever play basketball at Knox
• Al Reilly, one of the most successful head football coaches (1968-76) in Knox College history
• Jim Smith '78, a standout performer on the football field as a running back and on the track as a sprinter and hurdler

Support Winter Break Tournaments

The Knox men's and women's basketball teams will be playing in winter break tournaments. The women's team will be traveling to Daytona Beach, Florida, and the men will be playing in Memphis, Tennessee. The trips are invaluable team bonding, learning, and playing experiences. Please help defray the costs of these trips by making a gift to Women's Basketball or to Men's Basketball. Your support is much appreciated!

Visit the Knox Shop and Show Off Your Knox Pride!

Knox has a new online store for gifts and apparel for the entire family. Visit KnoxShop.knox.edu to order shirts, jackets, hats, gifts, and more emblazoned with the Knox and Prairie Fire logos. Order now for the holidays and show off your Knox pride!

Watch Prairie Fire Basketball Live and On Demand -- Free!

Watch all home men's and women's basketball games live or on demand. There is no charge, and you can view in virtually every platform, including personal computers, tablets, iPhone, Android, and other mobile devices. Watch Prairie Fire sports live and on demand.

Track Teams Volunteer at Knox Prairie Community Kitchen

The Prairie Fire track and field teams donated their time to help the Knox Prairie Community Kitchen serve 150 people at one of the two monthly meals the organization serve to the community, free of charge. "I think it's really important and give back to a community that gives so much to us," said head coach Jason Haynes. Read more about the teams' service.