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NORMAL, Ill. – A total of 150 Illinois State first-year student-athletes took part in an annual rite of passage at the 16th annual Walk of Champions on Sunday night.
The new student-athletes were given a torch-guided tour of historic campus landmarks the night before fall classes begin to learn about the history and tradition of Illinois State's athletics program.
New student-athletes were guided through campus by current student-athletes and members of Illinois State's athletics administration staff, and heard from President Larry Dietz and Director of Athletics Larry Lyons, among others, following a group dinner. The event was emceed by Illinois State alum and local sports broadcaster Kurt Pegler.
Stops on the tour included the Old Main Bell, Cook Hall, Hovey Hall, Hancock Stadium and Horton Field House, before a final stop at Redbird Arena.
The ceremony included student-athletes receiving the first half of a medallion; they receive the other half on the night of their senior banquet. The inscription on the medallion, emblazoned with the Redbird logo, is the phrase from the fight song: "To This Emblem We'll be True."
Each remaining medallion piece was placed in the Chalice of Champions, which is displayed prominently in the Owen Strength and Conditioning Center as a reminder to Redbird student-athletes as they progress through their careers.
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