University of Southern Indiana's student publication | USI | student newspaper

The Shield
University of Southern Indiana's student publication | USI | student newspaper

The Shield
University of Southern Indiana's student publication | USI | student newspaper

The Shield

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor

Will Kessinger is a sophomore finance major. He is an alumnus of the Bill Simmons College of Sports Takes, graduating with honors. Kessinger joined The Shield in 2023 as the acclaimed “sports guy” in the newsroom and was promoted to sports editor in Fall 2024.

Other than USI athletics, Kessinger follows the Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Cardinals and Arsenal Football Club. His work is inspired by a quote from Steve Jobs: “It’s more fun to be a pirate than to join the Navy.”

All content by Will Kessinger
Triniti Ralston, sophomore guard, fires a top-of-the-key three-point shot while Meredith Railey, graduate forward, sets a screen on a closing Grenadier defender Friday in Liberty Arena. (Photo by Will Kessinger)

Gallery: Women’s basketball thrashes Indiana University Southeast, 88-41

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
November 17, 2024
Amiyah Buchannan, sophomore forward, prepares to post up a Louisville player down low in the paint Nov. 8 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo courtesy of Preston Leinenbach and USI Athletic Communications)

Analysis: Women’s basketball splits Louisville and Murray State matchups in Kentucky road trip

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
November 15, 2024
Jayland Randall, junior guard, fires a mid-range jumper Thursday in Liberty Arena. (Photo by Alex Mendoza)

Analysis: Men’s basketball loses overtime home opener to Bucknell University 75-69

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
November 11, 2024
Vaneessa Shafford, senior guard, fires a pass to a teammate while being closely guarded Monday in Liberty Arena. (Photo by Will Kessinger)

Gallery: Women’s basketball wins against Brescia University in home-opener 100-49

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
November 6, 2024
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers forward, smiles alongside Washington Wizards guard John Wall at a cross-conference matchup in Washington, D.C. Dec. 16, 2018, at Capital One Center in Washington, D.C. Both athletes played crucial roles in support of the Black Lives Matter movement during the summer of 2020. (Image courtesy of All-Pro Reels.)

Retrospective: How athletes have used their platforms for political messages

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
October 29, 2024
Cole Baker, sophomore sprinter, competes in a 100-meter backstroke competition Saturday in the USI Aquatic Center. (Photo by Will Kessinger)

Analysis: Swim and dive drop meet against tough opponent Bellarmine University

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
October 28, 2024
The USI men’s basketball team is showcased for the first time on the home court Thursday in the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo by Will Kessinger)

Screaming Eagles Madness: It lived up to the name

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
October 28, 2024
Barstool personalities Kayce Smith, Dave “El Presidente” Portnoy, Dan “Big Cat” Katz and Brandon “BFW” Walker sit at The Barstool College Football Show set Saturday just outside of Memorial Stadium in downtown Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Will Kessinger)

Why college tailgates and gameday shows are crucial to the future of American entertainment

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
October 23, 2024
A Ferris wheel spins Oct. 8 at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival. The festival is hosted every year with carnival attractions and booths.

Gallery: West Side Nut Club presents 103rd annual Fall Festival

Kai Harris and Will Kessinger
October 16, 2024
Antonia Ferrarini hits the ball during a match against Eastern Illinois University March 16, 2023, at the University of Southern Indiana. (Photo Courtesy of Quinton Watt and USI Athletic Communications)

Women’s tennis player Antonia Ferrarini on growing up in Brazil, journey playing tennis

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
October 15, 2024
The USI Intramural Fall 2024 Events Table shows the registration deadlines, playing dates and competition categories of upcoming events. (Graphic by Will Kessinger and Bryn Nicol)

USI Intramurals: Fall 2024

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
September 26, 2024
Meredith Raley, senior forward, looks to find an open teammate during the first-round matchup against the University of Illinois at Chicago in the Women's National Invitational March 25 in the Screaming Eagles Arena.

Analysis: Women’s basketball teaser

Will Kessinger and Mailee Toennies
September 25, 2024
Stan Gouard, men’s basketball head coach, stands across from members of the men’s basketball team during Media Day Sept. 18 at the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo by Will Kessinger)

Analysis: Men’s basketball teaser

Will Kessinger and Mailee Toennies
September 24, 2024
Ahiro Nakamae, freshman midfielder, possesses the ball, moving it up the pitch Saturday at Strassweg Field. (Photo by Grace Michell)

Men’s soccer thumped in frustration-filled home opener against Bellarmine University

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
September 16, 2024
The Screaming Eagles and Purple Aces wait in position for the ball to go their direction near the penalty box Sunday at McCutchan Stadium. (Photo by Alex Mendoza)

Analysis: USI men’s soccer loses Mayor’s Cup despite uplifting performance

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
September 4, 2024
The 2023-2024 men's basketball team huddles during the game against Western Illinois University Thursday in the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo by Peyton Peters)

Opinion: USI’s athletics seeks excellence off, on court

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
August 28, 2024
The women’s soccer team huddles with its starting players before the second half against Robert Morris University Thursday at Strassweg Field. (Photo by Alex Mendoza)

Analysis: Women’s soccer falls victim to “2-Nil Curse” in home opener against Robert Morris

Will Kessinger, Sports Editor
August 26, 2024
The Screaming Eagles Complex is located on the cross-section between University Boulevard and Bennett Lane. (Photo by Will Kessinger)

Director of athletics on keys to working in athletics, jump to Division I

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
April 28, 2024
Chancellor Dugan, 1997 women's basketball head coach, cuts the net down in the Division II Women's Basketball Tournament. (Photo courtesy of USI Archives, UA 78- University Photographs)

The 1996-97 Lady Eagles: Instilling greatness for USI’s decorated hoopers of 2024

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
April 25, 2024
Stan Gouard, head coach, and Jon Aldridge, assistant coach, stand together Jan. 31 in the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo by Peyton Peters)

Men’s basketball head coach Stan Gouard on recruiting, building basketball culture, balancing basketball with family

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
April 17, 2024
The USI Intramurals Hall of Fame honors students who have competed at the highest level of intramural and club sports. (Graphic by Alyssa DeWig)

USI Intramurals Hall of Fame: The origin and potential future of the institution

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
April 4, 2024
Triniti Ralston, freshman guard, shoots a free throw during the game against University of Illinois at Chicago Thursday in the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo by Peyton Peters)

Analysis: Impact of Women’s National Invitational Tournament games

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
March 27, 2024
Meredith Raley, senior forward, drives to the basket in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship March 9. (Photo by Elizabeth Randolph and USI Athletic Communications)

Seniors reflect on experiences as student-athletes

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
March 26, 2024
The NCAA March Madness tournament spans from March 19 April 8. (Graphic by Karri Fox)

Opinion: My official 2024 March Madness bracket guide

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
March 20, 2024
Madi Webb, senior forward/center, Triniti Ralston freshman guard, Tori Handley, graduate guard, and Chloe Gannon, freshman forward/center, huddle during the Title Game against the University of Tennessee at Martin March 9 at the Ford Center. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Randolph and USI Athletic Communications)

Analysis: Southern Indiana women’s basketball team captures both regular season, tournament OVC titles

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
March 20, 2024
The baseball team celebrate its victory against Eastern Michigan University Friday at the USI Baseball Field. (Photo by Will Kessinger)

Analysis: USI wins dramatic home opener after awe-shocking 1st inning

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
February 27, 2024
Nathan Deputy, freshman sport management major, and Maranda Uttke, freshman pre-dental hygiene major, set new diving records Jan. 13 at an exhibition diving meet against the University of Evansville. (Photos courtesy of Barbara Goodwin)

Diving into USI athletic stars: Nathan Deputy, Maranda Uttke break dive records

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
February 20, 2024
Sofia Davidoff, freshman biology major, and Antonia Ferrarini, freshman marketing major, participate in doubles Saturday at the Evansville Tennis Center. An interesting duo, Davidoff hails from Lagny-sur-Marne, France, while Ferrarini comes to Southern Indiana from Caxias do Sul, Brazil. (Photo courtesy of Nathanial Barbee and USI Athletic Communications)

Analysis: USI men’s, women’s tennis teams fail to grab momentum, fall to Austin Peay State University

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
February 20, 2024
Cameron Kainer, USI swimming and diving head coach, said chemistry and camaraderie came naturally to the team. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Goodwin and USI Athletic Communications)

Feature: Swimming and diving head coach reflects on teams’ journeys throughout an inspiring season

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
February 15, 2024
Triniti Ralston, freshman guard, guards a Western Illinois University player Thursday in the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo by Peyton Peters)

Analysis: Screaming Eagles Arena hosts Media and Communications Night, featuring enthusiastic white-out crowd

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
January 31, 2024
Spectators sit beside the pool Saturday at the diving-only competition against the University of Evansville in the Aquatic Center. (Photo by Will Kessinger)

Analysis: Men’s, women’s swimming and diving teams return in breathtaking competition against University of Evansville

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
January 16, 2024
Triniti Ralston, freshman guard, drives to the basket as three Murray State defenders attempt to stop her Friday in the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Randolph and USI Athletics)

USI women’s basketball team drops matchup to Murray State (73-93)

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
December 4, 2023
Members of the men's basketball team watch the game against Duke University from the bench Nov. 24 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo courtesy of Nat LeDonne and USI Athletics)

USI beats East-West (107-49) after facing off against Duke

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
December 4, 2023
Jordan Tillmon, junior guard, guards a Tiffin University player Tuesday in the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo by Peyton Peters)

Analysis: Men’s basketball wins late showtime thriller against Tiffin

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
November 17, 2023
Jack Campion, sophomore guard, guards a Chicago State University player Sunday in the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo by Peyton Peters)

Analysis: Men’s basketball team loses home opener following late-game heroics from Hernandez, Smith

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
November 15, 2023
Nolan Causwell, senior forward/center, guards an offensive motion from an opposing player Monday at the game against Saint Louis University in the Chaifetz Arena.

Men’s basketball team drops opening match against Saint Louis, despite finding momentum in 2nd half

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
November 8, 2023
Screaming Eagles Arena is home to the University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles.

Opinion: Influx of new talent will transform men’s basketball team

Will Kessinger, Staff Writer
November 2, 2023
Robert Schoenstein, junior forward, kicks the ball in the game against University of Evansville Saturday at Strassweg Field.

Screaming Eagles fall 0-4 to University of Evansville Purple Aces

Will Kessinger, Sports Writer
September 14, 2023
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