Bob Frederick, former Illinois State athletics director from 1985-87, will speak at the 2004 State Farm Student-Athlete Academic Excellence Banquet on October 24 in Redbird Arena.
The State Farm sponsored banquet will recognize 195 AFNI Athletics Honor Roll student-athletes with a 3.0 GPA or higher. This event will also honor the Illinois State Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year, as voted on by Redbird coaches and administrators, which will be announced during the banquet.
Frederick will be the keynote speaker for the event. He served two years (1985-87) as director of athletics at Illinois State. During his tenure, Frederick administered a 20-sport athletic program, which won the Missouri Valley Conference all-sports championship in 1986. He also coordinated the development of a new basketball arena, soccer field and baseball facility for the Redbirds.
Bob Frederick revolutionized athletic fundraising and strategic planning during his tenure at Illinois State, said interim director of athletics Linda Herman. He is a legend at the University of Kansas and has served intercollegiate athletics at the highest levels. Bob is one of the most well-liked and highly respected people in the profession of athletic administration and higher education.
Frederick, who considers himself an educator first earned his bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees at the University of Kansas and has a courtesy faculty appointment in the School of Education where he continues to teach graduate and undergraduate classes in Sports Administration.
Frederick spent 14 years as director of athletics at the University of Kansas. Since being named the school's 12th athletics director in 1987, Frederick's tenure had been marked by significant achievements in academics and athletics as well as major improvements to facilities.
Bob has helped countless coaches, student-athletes, students, fellow administrators and others reach their dreams through his leadership and mentorship, said Herman. He impacts people beyond their own reach. He is one of those rare and gifted individuals who gives more than he takes in life.
Frederick's leadership in all areas has earned national respect. He recently completed a five-year stint on the Division I Men's Basketball Committee, the last two years serving as chair. Frederick was also a member of the NCAA Special Television Committee that negotiated a $1.725 billion contract with CBS for the Division I Men's Basketball Championship. In March of 1996, Frederick was named, Man of the Year, by the NIT for his "many years of encouragement, involvement and support of college basketball."
Registration for the event will begin at 5:30 p.m., while dinner starts at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are $25 and can be purchased by calling 438-3636. A Limited number of tickets are available to the public, and must be purchased in advance. Reservations should be made by October 15. The dress code is business attire.
