NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State soccer will retire the uniform number 14 in honor of Illinois State Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame member Rachel Tejada during the 2026 season, as announced at halftime of the team's Alumni Weekend and 30th Anniversary season celebration on Sunday.
Reflecting on the honor, Tejada stated, "I am deeply humbled and filled with gratitude to have my No. 14 retired at Illinois State – the place that became my home away from home. I wouldn't have been the person or player I am without the love, support, and sacrifices of so many along the way. Sharing the moment Sunday with my family, my coaches, my teammates, and so many fellow alumni made it even more special. This is an honor beyond words, and one I will cherish forever."
Tejada's No. 14 will be the second number in Illinois State soccer history, alongside the twelfth Redbird on the field, Julie Heidecke's No. 13.
Rachel Tejada is one of the most distinguished women's soccer players in Illinois State and MVC women's soccer history. Tejada, a 2023 MVC Hall of Fame inductee, remains the only player in MVC history to be named Conference Player of the Year four times. Tejada was also a four-time first-team All-MVC selection and earned MVC All-Tournament honors in each of her four seasons. A four-year letterwinner for the Redbirds, Tejada was also named to the Illinois State Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame in 2021.
In her Redbird career, Tejada helped Illinois State earn three MVC regular-season championships and secure four straight MVC tournament titles. Illinois State also earned four NCAA tournament appearances during Tejada's career, helping the Redbirds to wins in 2013 at Louisville and 2014 at South Florida.
Tejada still holds the Redbird and MVC career records for goals (74), assists (42), and points (190). She also still holds MVC single-season records for goals (21 in 2011) and points (54 in 2014). Tejada also holds the top Illinois State single-season records in points, assists, shots, and shots on goal. In 2014, when Tejada completed her Redbird career, she ranked No. 25 on the all-time Division I career points list.
In her first year in Normal, Tejada became the first player in program history to earn All-America honors when she was named to the Soccer America All-Freshman team. In the same season, Tejada became the second player in program history to earn NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region First Team honors. The following two seasons, in 2012 and 2013, Tejada earned NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Second-Team selections.
Tejada also excelled in the classroom as she was named to the NSCAA Academic All-American Third Team in 2014 and was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District V First-Team selection during her career.
In 2015, Tejada became the first Redbird selected in the NWSL draft after being selected in the fourth round with the 32nd overall pick by the Chicago Red Stars.
Drew Roff, former Illinois State head coach, on Rachel's number retirement…
"Rachel's impact on the Redbird Soccer Program is unparalleled, and I'm thrilled to see her get recognized with the highest honor in team sports. Her ability and winning mentality elevated our program to new heights, and she was the driving force behind the most successful era in program history. Our players and coaching staff knew that no matter who we played, the best player on the field was on our team, and that made us all dream a little bigger."
"What makes Rachel's legacy so special is that it extends beyond all the goals, assists, conference championships, and NCAA Tournament wins. What I appreciate the most about her career is her investment. She invested in her development, her teammates, her coaches, and in Illinois State University. She knew she wanted to accomplish big things, and she knew who she wanted to accomplish them with. No matter how many records she broke or how many accolades she received, there was never any doubt that the team's success was what gave her the most joy. Rachel isn't just a Redbird legend for what she did; she is a Redbird legend for who she is."
Raleigh DeRose, current Illinois State head coach, on Rachel's number retirement…
"I am thrilled to retire Rachel's number. She is one of the most talented and decorated players to ever wear a Redbird jersey.
"Her talents, competitiveness, passion, and love for Redbird soccer are inspiring and set a great example for the current players."
"We are so thankful for her commitment to this tradition of Redbird soccer and how she has contributed to such a rich history. Her legacy will live on here forever, and it is such an amazing way to honor that legacy by retiring her number."
