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Contact Us
Submissions to FireWire should be made to the editors at kclub@knox.edu. Submissions may be edited for space.
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Read Exclusive Fall Season Previews
The Prairie Fire fall season is underway with eight teams preparing for competition.
The football squad officially kicked off the 2012 campaign with the first day of practice on August 13. Knox plays its first game at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 1, at the Knosher Bowl against Eureka College.
The seven other fall sports teams -- men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, volleyball, women's tennis, and women's golf-- reported to practice on August 20. Their first competitions are slated for August 31 (soccer, cross country, and women's golf) and September 1 (volleyball).
As a K-Club member, you have exclusive access to previews for each sport:
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Coach's Corner
 By Rob Rye
Men's and Women's Tennis Coach
While I only arrived on campus earlier this month, I have been preparing for the past eight years -- as a college player and an assistant coach -- for the opportunity to coach at such a wonderful college community, and I believe Knox is making great strides in its support of athletics that will translate into new heights of success.
It's too early to predict where the Prairie Fire will end up in terms of wins and losses, but my more practical expectation is to maximize each player's potential for improvement. I expect the team to be more physically fit, more mentally tough, and more technically and tactically sound, as well as more dedicated and closer as teammates. I know the players are excited to embrace the challenge of working and competing harder than they ever have.
My duty as a coach is to create a culture of professionalism that fosters excellence as well as social cohesion. On and off the court, dedication to respect, preparation, attention to detail, and a diligent work ethic are key factors to this culture.
I am familiar with the conference and know that Grinnell College is the school to beat. They have a loaded team from top to bottom, will continue to bring in talented recruits, and show no signs of slowing down as a team on the rise at the national level. But I am confident the Prairie Fire tennis program will occupy a much higher place in the league standings in the next five years.
I see the tennis program in the top three of the Midwest Conference and challenging for the conference championship. To get there, it's going to take two things: more ambitious wide-ranging recruiting to bring in players with more extensive and impressive tournament and/or high school experience, as well as greater technical, mental, and physical development of the athletes over the course of their careers.
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Student-Athlete Spotlight
 Mike Hendrick '13 is a senior linebacker for the Prairie Fire football team. In 2011, the Smithton, Illinois, native was named first-team All-Midwest Conference, a member of D3football.com's All-West Region second team, and selected to Beyond Sports Network's All-American second team defense. He set school records for tackles in a game (26), solo tackles in a season (75), and total tackles in a season (157). His average of 15.7 tackles per game led the country, earning him an NCAA statistical champion plaque. This season, Hendrick has been named a 2012 Preseason All-American by D3football.com, BSN, and USA Football News.
How do you balance athletics and academics? Here at Knox, it's stressed the first year that student-athletes are students first, and balancing athletics and academics takes time management skills. You have to do the work first before anything else.
Tell us more about your major. I'm majoring in secondary education and social sciences. I want to be able to teach and coach in high school. The techniques you use in your teaching and coaching are intertwined.
What do you enjoy most about your team? The camaraderie. I know everyone has my back.
How do you think being a football player at Knox will benefit you after you graduate? Earning a degree from Knox and playing football demonstrate discipline, the ability to effectively manage your time, and maturity.
 Do you have a pre-game ritual or superstition? For home games I go into the gym with my iPod and my basketball and shoot baskets for about an hour before I have to get ready. It calms me down and gets me into the zone.
What's something people would be surprised to learn about you? I wasn't heavily recruited to play college football while I was in high school.
What are your favorite things about Knox? Being able to play football. I also like the small school feel. Everyone, no matter what happens on campus, is going to be together. I also love being a member of Beta Theta Pi.
What music do you have on your iPod? I have everything from R&B, rap, country, and heavy metal. I like to mix it up. Before a football game, I listen to heavy metal. The metal bands include All That Remains and As I Lay Dying.
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Athletic News
New Coaches Bring Experience to Prairie Fire Teams
From England to Australia and California to right here in Galesburg, new coaches are bringing a wealth of experience -- as seasoned coaches and athletes -- to the Prairie Fire men's soccer, volleyball, men's and women's tennis, track and field, and cross country teams. Learn more about the new coaches at Knox.
Watch Prairie Fire Competitions Live and On Demand -- Free!
 Watch all home football, volleyball, and 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.
Cheer On the Prairie Fire at Inaugural Lincoln Bowl
 The Prairie Fire football season opens on September 1 against Eureka College. To recognize the shared importance of Lincoln to these two liberal arts colleges, Knox and Eureka have agreed to launch the Lincoln Bowl. The Lincoln Bowl Trophy, a bust of Abraham Lincoln, will reside with the game winner until the next year's competition. Come to the Knosher Bowl at 1 p.m. to cheer on the Prairie Fire to a Lincoln Bowl victory!
Come Back to Knox for Men's Soccer Alumni Day
 All soccer alumni are invited for a career networking luncheon, alumni vs. alumni game, and dinner with special guest speakers Professor Emeritus Jorge Prats and 1998 Knox-Lombard Athletic Hall of Fame recipient Norm Hillner�'79 on Saturday, September 1. Learn more about and register for the event.
Cornell Returns to Midwest Conference
 After leaving the Midwest Conference (MWC) after the 1996-97 season, the Cornell College Rams are officially back in the conference they helped form in 1921. The Rams will begin competing in 16 of the 20 MWC championship sports in the 2012-13 season. Read more about Cornell returning to the conference.
Calandro Promoted by NCAA
 Dan Calandro '77, a former Knox baseball and basketball player and athletic director at the College from 2000-2006, has been appointed associate director of Division III governance for the NCAA. Read more about Calandro's accomplishments.
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