In her first year as head coach, former Red Stars player Julianne Sitch has led the University of Chicago Maroons men’s soccer team to their first national championship. CBS 2’s Jackie Kostek reports.

Chicago News – Sports Events Culture in Illinois

Known as the Windy City, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. The city has an estimated population of just over three million people. It is located in the heart of the state of Illinois, making it one of the country’s most multicultural metropolises. Sports are big business in Illinois, with the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL, and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA all generating millions of dollars in state tax revenues annually.

There is no denying that sports have their merits, from generating local tourism dollars to boosting local economies and boosting public morale. The most obvious reason is because sports help to foster camaraderie and teamwork amongst peers. The Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks also provide much needed funding for athletic programs for kids in the greater Chicago area.

It is no surprise then that the city has been recognized as the best sports town in the country by two different publications. Likewise, there are some amateur sports teams in the city that have made it to the big leagues, such as the Chicago Redbirds of the NAHL and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA. In terms of the sports biz, Chicago has seen its fair share of high-level competition, and has seen a resurgence in recent years.

The city is home to several notable sports teams, including the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball, the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL, the Chicago Bulls of the NBA, and the Chicago White Sox of Major League Soccer.