UIC

The UIC Flames embody the resilient spirit of Chicago, fierce urban intensity, and a bold new era of ambition as the city's public Division I university. The "Flames" nickname is a powerful tribute to the city's rebirth from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, symbolizing a program forged in grit and defined by perseverance. After decades as a competitive force in the Horizon League, UIC elevated its athletic program by joining the prestigious Missouri Valley Conference in 2022, signaling a major commitment to championship-level success. The university's basketball program reached its zenith in the early 2000s with multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, laying a foundation for its current ambitions in the nationally-respected MVC. The Flames' greatest legacy may be on the baseball diamond, where the program has made numerous NCAA Tournament runs and is proudly represented by alumnus Curtis Granderson, for whom their state-of-the-art stadium is named. Fueled by the energy of their city, the UIC Flames are poised to rise in their new conference home, carrying the enduring spirit of Chicago into every competition.