Shay Hughes Law Office, LLC

08/31/2026

FCS Week 0: Roosevelt vs. Chicago State. Surprised to see CSU true freshman QB (9) Ashton Pannell get the start. Would like to see more of Western Michigan transfer RB (0) Tre’ Hartwell. Defensively, the Cougars rotated their defensive linemen a ton, almost to their detriment. With that said, Wagner transfer LB (0) Armani Itote looks like their best defensive player. Overall, at least 10 true freshmen played for CSU.

Roosevelt’s difference maker was RB (8) Jaden Bossie. Talented back who finished with 141 rushing yards and 91 receiving yards. Defensively, DB (2) Stacey Terry played well.

Attendance was reported at just 1,000, much lower than I expected. For a program trying to build a fanbase from scratch, roughly $37 for a ticket plus around $30 to park is a pretty significant barrier to getting casual fans in the building, especially considering the stadium’s location.

08/29/2026

IHSA Week 2: Hope Academy vs. St. Ignatius

St. Ignatius is led by Penn commit S Connor Hites. Since taking over the program in 2017, HC Matt Miller has guided the Wolfpack to six IHSA playoff appearances, highlighted by a state semifinal run in 2022. St. Ignatius also captured the Prep Bowl championship in both 2024 and 2025.

Hope Academy has developed into one of the more consistent small-school programs in the Chicago area, qualifying for the playoffs every season with an IHSA postseason since 2014. In 2023, the Eagles advanced to the Class 1A state semifinals. HC Chris Mallette, a Penn Law graduate, has led the program since 2019.

08/28/2026

Congrats to Natasha. In 2027, she’ll become the most powerful law enforcement official in Tippecanoe County.

Tippecanoe County’s Current Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jason Biss has selected Natasha Corbett as his successor.

08/23/2026

IHSAA Week 1: Jeffersonville Red Devils vs. Lawrence Central Bears.

Lawrence Central HC Russ Mann enters his first season with the Bears after three seasons at Ben Davis, where he led the Giants to the 6A state championship in 2023.

Jeffersonville finds itself in a significant transition period. The Red Devils hired Kentucky veteran coach Doug Preston during the offseason. But Preston abruptly resigned in June. Just five weeks before the start of the season, Jeffersonville turned to Nick Cotner, former Scottsburg offensive coordinator, for his first opportunity as a varsity head coach.

A difficult assignment for a new staff right out of the gate as Lawrence Central came away with a 67-20 win.

08/23/2026

Preseason Week 2: Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts. Falcons QB and D2 All-American Jack Strand balled out today. Same goes for Atlanta’s front 7.

08/19/2026

Becoming more difficult to visit clients at the Tippecanoe County Jail. Third time in a month where I’ve been turned away.

08/05/2026

Just finished Heartland, the story of Indiana State’s run to the 1979 national championship game.

Larry Bird certainly has a compelling story. From Spring Valley to Indiana University, leaving Bloomington, attending Northwood Institute, his troubled father’s su***de, working as a garbage man back home, and ultimately finding a fit at Indiana State.

Enjoyed the background of ISU’s roster development. The book explores how Bill Hodges and Bob King assembled talent from across Indiana, Chicago, Detroit, East St. Louis, and the junior college ranks. Players like Brad Miley, Carl Nicks, Harry Morgan, Steve Reed, Leroy Staley, Richard Johnson, Alex Gilbert, Eric Curry, Richard Nemcek, and Bob Heaton all had unique journeys.

The coaching story was equally interesting. Bob King’s health problems forced assistant Bill Hodges into the head coaching role prior to the 1978-79 season. Fellow assistant coach Stan Evans believed he was the head coach-in-waiting, creating internal tension before Evans eventually left the program after being “passed over.”

Other stories that stood out: Indiana State had been scheduled to use the same charter plane as the Evansville team that tragically crashed; Sports Illustrated writer Larry Keith’s article about Bird’s past angered Bird; and the fierce rivalry ISU had with New Mexico State.