.
Try Recruit Pro
Learn more
Arrow
Illinois State University

Illinois State University (ISU) is a large public university in Normal, Illinois, known for its strong teacher‑education programs, active campus life, and “Redbird” spirit. Students often rave about the many clubs and organizations, inclusive campus atmosphere, homecoming festivities, small‑class feel within a big‑school setting, and easy access to events across the connected Twin Cities of Bloomington–Normal.

State

Illinois

Student Population

20,000

Acceptance Rate

86–89%

GPA Range

3.0-3.6

SAT Range

1010–1210

Common Majors

elementary education, nursing, psychology, business

“a place where you can join dozens of clubs, meet people easily, and still feel like your professors actually know you, with lots of events and Redbird‑game energy that keep campus lively and engaging.”

Team & Tuition

Divison

Division 1

Tuition (no scholarship)

In-state: $13,968; Out-of-state: $24,172

Conference

Missouri Valley Conference

Scholarships Available

Yes. Both athletic and academic.

Avg Men's Scores

72.88

Avg Women's Scores

74.62

Men's Team Notes

Redbirds men fired 277 second round at Hawkeye-Great River Entertainment Hoosier Invitational (Red Tail Run GC/South Side CC), surging to 5th place with 566 total behind Kansas. Low rounds from Delisanti (69.08 fall avg.) fueled MVC favorite status on Iowa layouts.

Women's Team Notes

Redbird women earned MVC preseason favorite with Jones/Fennell/Jolly top-5 individuals, favored over Missouri State/Bradley. Strong fall play at home invitationals like Redbird Classic (Weibring Golf Course) showcased par-3/4 precision advancing postseason contention.

Coaches

Men's Coach

Ray Kralis

Women's Coach

Jackie Szymoniak

Men's Email

rakrali@ilstu.edu

Women's Email

jszymoni@ilstu.edu

Men's Coach Bio

Ray Kralis is Illinois State men’s head golf coach, leading the Redbirds in the Missouri Valley Conference. He has guided the program through a strong, competitive schedule that has produced MVC‑Conference‑Championship success and NCAA‑Regional appearances. Kralis emphasizes scoring‑oriented play, technical‑skill refinement, and recruiting versatile student‑athletes who can contend at the MVC level and help position Illinois State men’s golf as a repeat‑championship‑and‑postseason‑caliber team.

Women's Coach Bio

Jackie Szymoniak is Illinois State women’s head golf coach, directing the Redbirds in the Missouri Valley Conference. She brings a player‑development‑focused approach that emphasizes fundamentals, short‑game work, and a disciplined practice environment. Szymoniak works to steadily improve the team’s MVC‑championship finishes and national‑ranking profile, building a culture that values academics, leadership, and team‑chemistry while pushing ISU women’s golf toward more consistent NCAA‑postseason‑eligible seasons.

Similar schools:

Southern Illinois Carbondale

Drake University

University of Northern Iowa