Leatherneck Nation

Story about Ashley Luke as seen on WGEM Sports with Ben Marth:
http://www.wgem.com/story/29556681/2015 ... ll-program

Article by Cody Rivera from the "Western Courier". Posted July 24, 2015:

Luke to forego senior season
by Cody Rivera

After weeks of circulating rumors regarding the reigning Summit League Player of the Year, head coach JD Gravina cleared the air on Thursday.

The head coach of the Western Illinois women’s basketball team confirmed that forward Ashley Luke has decided to forego her senior season of eligibility, thus ending her career as a Leatherneck.

“We appreciate everything that Ashley has done for our program and Western Illinois University,” Gravina said. “She was part of a group of athletes that helped turn our program into a Summit League contender.”

Luke played with the Leathernecks for three years, and had she chosen to return for a fourth, she was on pace to become the program’s all-time leading scorer. She is second all-time in points with 1,531, just 17 points away from becoming the all-time leading scorer. She is also second in rebounds with 874.

She graduated from Western in December of 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism.

With Michelle Maher, Sophie Reichelt, Liz Skotowski and Paige Harmon set to return for their senior seasons in 2015, Gravina looks to keep making progress in the Summit League.

“I’m excited to move forward with our returning players and newcomers to continue to compete for a conference championship,” Gravina said.

While we will miss them, we have to understand that both Ashley and Faith Lois did what was best for them. And yes, both graduated, Ashley in December 2014 and Faith in May 2015. We can't expect basketball to be their life. They came to Western for their education and graced us with their presence on the basketball court while they earned their college degrees.

News story about Ashley Luke as seen on WGEM Sports with Ben Marth on July 24:
http://www.wgem.com/story/29630132/2015 ... athernecks

This is a very well-written home town tribute to Ashley from a few months back.

http://www.oakcreeknow.com/sports/oak-c ... 98831.html

I hate to see her go but she can write her own ticket to do just about anything now. Just my speculation, but could Ashley's next stop be on the hardwood at UW-M? Her fiancee is at UW-GB so even a second go-round there would not be a shock to me. Maybe latching on to one of the political campaign organizations now that they are getting into full swing? Wherever she goes and whatever she does, she will be a difference-maker.

Alright guys, who is next up to the plate for our "Marsha Marsha Marsha" award?

Luke has landed.

http://m.greenbayphoenix.com/mobile/..._OEM_ID=22500&

As noted above by Old Hare:
http://www.greenbayphoenix.com/ViewArti ... =210251019

I get that she wants to be closer to her fiance, but still a little salty. Maybe it's that she's going to a great program and the grass is greener. Maybe it's because I'm recall her departure from UW-GB stemmed from the current Head Coach pulling her scholarship when he came on board. Yeah that moment in life could have driven her to be who she is today, but I still don't think I could go back and play for them.

Who knows, maybe there were other issues she had with WIU. Either way, she was one of, if not the best and will be greatly missed. Hope our girls put together a championship season and UW-GB ends their 17 season streak (not likely especially with Luke).

I will stop just short of bragging about my "Carnac the Magnificent" prediction a while back. I had no idea UWGB has won 17 straight conference championships. In retrospect, that was a no-brainer decision for Ashley to move on.

Yes, it's disappointing, but then Ashley gave us so much the past 3 years. We, and not just athletics, but WIU as a whole, have to be grateful for that.