Extra effort, hard work and leadership were some of the characteristics Benoni Green believed in. The past recipients of the Benoni Green Endowed Scholarship for mens tennis have followed that same mentality and 2005 honoree Alban Renard is no different.
Illinois State mens tennis head coach Greg Kennett couldnt agree more.
Alban demonstrated great leadership, effort and determination as a student-athlete this year, which were the same things Benoni Green stood for, said Kennett. Alban is a great representative of the university and it is a great honor.
The Benoni Green Endowed Scholarship was established in 1998. The endowment was funded by friends of the former Redbird tennis player, who competed at Illinois State prior to World War II. Green was a two-time conference champion and is a member of the Illinois State Athletics Hall of Fame.
The endowment has put Illinois State tennis on the same footing as other Missouri Valley schools as well as others around the country, said Kennett on the significance of the endowment for the tennis program. It is a great benefit to the program and it has given many student-athletes the opportunity to compete as well as acquire a great education.
Renard, a native of Chambourcy, France compiled a 19-10 record during his junior year, including an outstanding spring season. He had a 17-5 mark during the dual match season, which was good enough for the most wins of any Illinois State player during the stretch. Even more impressive the 2005 Benoni Green Endowed Scholarship recipient won 15 out of his last 17 matches.
I am thankful for the honor, stated Renard on his recognition as the 2005 recipient. I worked hard throughout the whole year, and the recognition makes me want to work even harder next year. It is a great recognition and makes everyone in the program work harder.
First awarded in 1999, the Benoni Green Scholarship is one of 12 endowed scholarships available to Illinois State student-athletes funded by private donors. Six of them are fully funded, including the Benoni Green Endowed Scholarship.
For more information about supporting Illinois State University endowments for studentathletes, call the Redbird Club office at (309) 438-3803.
###
