The Illinois State University Redbird football team was honored at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on February 25, 2026, by the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate. The recognition follows the team’s historic 2025-26 season, in which they reached the FCS National Championship game.

During the visit, Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs, Head Coach Brock Spack, administrators and student-athletes toured the Capitol and took a photo with State Representative Sharon Chung and Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Emanuel “Chris” Welch on the House floor. The group also met with State Senator Dave Koehler and was in attendance in the Speaker Gallery when Rep. Chung read a congratulatory message during the House of Representatives session, which drew applause from representatives from throughout the state.

“We were honored to accept an invitation to travel to Springfield and be honored at the Capitol,” Spack stated. “It was a great experience for our student-athletes to get to experience a trip like this, see the history that resides at the Capitol and be recognized for their hard work in 2025. We can’t thank Rep. Chung, Speaker Welch, and Senator Koehler for taking time out of their busy schedules to meet with us. This is the second time we have been able to make a trip like this, but it’s never lost on me how special it is to be honored by the State Legislature.”