As a senior at Normal Community High School, Tye Niekamp’s goal was “finding someone who was going to coach me hard” on the college level. He didn’t have to look far. The man for the job lived in the same house. Travis Niekamp is Illinois State’s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. As a parent, he is “extremely proud” of sons Tye, the Redbirds’ All-American junior middle linebacker, and Dexter, a redshirt freshman linebacker.

As a senior at Normal Community High School, Tye Niekamp&rsquo;s goal was &ldquo;finding someone who was going to coach me hard&rdquo; on the college level.&nbsp;He didn&rsquo;t have to look far. The man for the job lived in the same house.&nbsp;Travis Niekamp is Illinois State&rsquo;s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. As a parent, he is &ldquo;extremely proud&rdquo; of sons Tye, the Redbirds&rsquo; All-American junior middle linebacker, and Dexter, a redshirt freshman linebacker.

Sound Ideas is WGLT's flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with Bloomington-Normal newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday.

Sound Ideas is WGLT's flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with Bloomington-Normal newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday.

WGLT's Sound Ideas

WGLT's Sound Ideas is our flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday. You can also subscribe to the Sound Ideas - Full Episodes podcast.

WGLT's Sound Ideas is our flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday. You can also subscribe to the Sound Ideas - Full Episodes podcast.

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