Sports

An entirely new field staff will lead the Quad Cities River Bandits this year. 

The men's basketball coach at Augustana College has been chosen to join a select group of coaches. In April, Grey Giovanine will be inducted in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

An Iowa State Senator now co-owns The Quad Cities River Bandits. On Thursday, the team's managing partner, Dave Heller, announced Roby Smith is replacing Bob Herrfeldt as co-owner of the minor league franchise.

Tennis star and Rock Island native Madison Keys returned home to help empower girls. The 21-year-old is ranked 8th in the world by the Women's Tennis Association. She's also the newest ambassador for FearlesslyGiRL, a leadership organization that hosts summits in schools for girls throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

As winter approaches, the River Bandits are thinking about spring. Monday the Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros released its schedule for next year. 

For local fans, the long, long months without hockey are finally over. Friday night the Quad City Mallards open the new season at home, against Fort Wayne. Then on Saturday night they'll play the Komets again, but on the road. 

Team president Bob McNamara says this will be the 20th season for the Mallards, and it wouldn't have been possible without strong local support.