Feb. 11, 2006
NORMAL -
The goal of Redbird strength and conditioning is getting all student-athletes from all sports physically prepared for peak performance. Richard and Fran Owen along with their family felt that the best way to do this was with the addition of the Richard and Fran Owen Strength and Conditioning Center. Because of their contributions to Redbird Athletics, Richard and Fran Owen have been selected as the 2005 Golden Redbird Award winners.
Athletics Director Dr. Sheahon Zenger felt the Owen's couldn't be more deserving of the award.
"The Owen Strength and Conditioning Center is utilized by every Illinois State student-athlete," said Zenger. "It impacts every sport in immeasurable ways. The Owens are deserving of this award because they put their caring for Illinois State and its student-athletes into action."
For more than 70 years, the Owen family and its nursery have supported Illinois State athletics. With Richard and Fran's generous gift of $500,000 for the completion of phase II of the Redbird Arena Completion Project, they have shown leadership and dedication to the University and the student-athletes.
"I don't know if we're deserving of such an award," said the Owens. "We certainly did not expect it, but it's nice and we were glad to do it. We thought it was very necessary for the University in terms of enhancing recruiting, but the main reason is for the student-athletes to prevent injuries, build strength and improve performance."
The Joseph F. Warner Golden Redbird Award honors leadership and service to TRC. It was renamed in 2003 after the death of Joe, a TRC and Twin Cities leader who died in a plane crash.
