Colleen Kane

Colleen Kane is the college sports reporter for the Chicago Tribune. She has worked at the Tribune since 2007, starting in high school sports before moving to the White Sox and then the Bears. Before the Tribune, Kane was a sports reporter at the Cincinnati Enquirer following her graduation from the University of Illinois.

Cal's Andrej Stojaković drives toward the basket against Stanford in a second-round ACC Tournament game March 12, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (Allie Lawhon/ACC for Bay Area News Group)

Illinois signs Cal transfer Andrej Stojaković, son of former NBA All-Star Peja Stojaković

April 28, 2025 at 3:29 p.m.

New Illinois guard Andrej Stojaković, a transfer from California, was ESPN's 31st-ranked player in the transfer portal this spring.

Leila Rahimi shown co-hosting on WSCR-AM 670 on Jan. 4, 2023. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Leila Rahimi is named as Dan Bernstein’s replacement as The Score’s midday co-host

April 28, 2025 at 11:27 a.m.

Leila Rahimi, a longtime Chicago TV and radio host, will co-host the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. weekday show with Marshall Harris on WSCR-AM 670.

Steve McMichael enjoys a respite on the Bears bench in 1991. (Bob Fila/Chicago Tribune)

Steve McMichael, the colorful Hall of Famer and a leader on the 1985 Chicago Bears, dies at 67

April 24, 2025 at 11:40 a.m.

Steve McMichael, the Hall of Fame defensive tackle who was one of the most colorful characters of the 1985 Chicago Bears, died Wednesday after a lengthy battle with ALS.

Northwestern softball coach Kate Drohan encourages hitters during a game against Indiana on May 5, 2024, in Evanston. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

How Northwestern and its business school are helping coaches take on college sports’ new challenges

April 23, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Northwestern athletic director Mark Jackson said "the timing is perfect" to launch a new coaches academy taught by Kellogg School of Management faculty.

DePaul introduces Jill Pizzotti as its new women's basketball coach April 15, 2025, at Wintrust Arena. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

How Jill Pizzotti aims to honor Doug Bruno’s basketball legacy while getting DePaul back on a winning track

April 20, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

New DePaul coach Jill Pizzotti went 20 years between head coaching jobs, but her varied experiences earned her the next shot.

Northwestern's Madison Taylor practices with the lacrosse team on April 15, 2025, in Evanston. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Northwestern and star Madison Taylor want to create ‘something special’ for ‘Lacrosse Night in Chicago’

April 17, 2025 at 7:20 a.m.

Northwestern's "Lacrosse Night in Chicago" event will feature the Wildcats' lakefront stadium, several former players — and star Madison Taylor.

Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis points after making a three-point shot during the second half against Kentucky at Fiserv Forum on March 23, 2025, in Milwaukee. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois loses Kasparas Jakučionis and Will Riley as both freshmen declare for the NBA draft

April 14, 2025 at 3:31 p.m.

Illinois basketball must replace two of its best players after Kasparas Jakučionis and Will Riley declared for the NBA draft.

Chicago State coach Bobby Rome II catches a football during a news conference to announce his hiring as the university’s first football coach on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

How new Chicago State coach Bobby Rome II plans to build the city’s only Division I football program

April 8, 2025 at 5:55 p.m.

Chicago State introduced Bobby Rome II as its first football coach, with the goal of playing Division I FCS games in 2026.

Illinois center Tomislav Ivišić, right, works against Minnesota guard Brennan Rigsby on Feb. 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (Craig Lassig/AP)

Tomislav Ivišić will return to Illinois — and be joined by twin Zvonimir. Which other locals are staying or leaving?

April 7, 2025 at 1:14 p.m.

Tomislav Ivišić announced his return to Illinois. Then he delivered an even bigger bit of news: his twin brother, Zvonimir, has committed to join him after transferring from Arkansas.

Delegates gather for a meeting of the Division I business session at the NCAA annual convention, Jan. 15, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (George Walker IV/AP)

How college sports are preparing for ‘seismic change,’ including revenue sharing and new roster limits

April 5, 2025 at 7:58 a.m.

College athletic directors, including at Northwestern and Northern Illinois, have decisions to make on revenue sharing, roster limits and more as a landmark settlement heads to final approval.

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