Aug. 17, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
Perhaps the most coveted of all honors bestowed upon Illinois State student-athletes, the male and female athlete of the year awards, will be presented at the annual Walk of Champions, Sunday, at 6:30 p.m.
The awards are for accomplishments during the 2004-05 season and are named after deserving members of the Illinois State family.
The male athlete of the year award is named for Milt Weisbecker, a former athletics director who led Illinois State through times of change from 1966 to 1974. As athletics director, he successfully led the university's athletic program from college division into Division I status. Additionally, Weisbecker had an outstanding record in seven seasons as the Redbird's head golf coach, including a fourth-place NCAA college division finish in 1969.
Nominees for the Milt Weisbecker Male Athlete of the Year include baseball's Matt Bolt, Redbird football star Boomer Grigsby, Rhett Hillard from the men's track and field team and men's basketball standout Neil Plank.
Jill Hutchison's name is attached to the female athlete of the year award. Hutchison retired from coaching women's basketball in 1999 after racking up 461 wins in 28 seasons at Illinois State. Now a radio and television analyst for Redbird and Missouri Valley Conference broadcasts, Hutchison was a pioneer and advocate for women in athletics throughout her coaching career.
Six female athletes have been nominated for the Jill Hutchison Female Athlete of the Year, including Illinois State diver Krystal Featherston, women's soccer's Heather Forsyth, Lian Lucas from the women's track and field team, former women's basketball sharpshooter Jaci McCormack, volleyball setter Kelly Rikli and Redbird softball's Kate Stake.
The male and female recipients are voted to distinction by Illinois State head coaches and athletic administrators.
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