July 20, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Megan McCracken's determination, passion for the game and dedication to the Illinois State women's basketball program have been recognized by Redbird head coach Robin Pingeton, as the senior is the recipient of the 2006 Jill Hutchison Endowed Scholarship. The award is named for Hutchison, the former Redbird basketball coach who was a pioneer and advocate for women in sports throughout her coaching career.
"Megan embodies everything that this program is about, and she's an excellent role model for our players and other Illinois State student-athletes," Pingeton said. "There isn't a player who works harder than Megan. Injuries have limited her to some degree at the start of each season, but Megan has overcome those obstacles to help lead her teammates and set a good example with her work ethic."
In her first season as a Redbird, McCracken fulfilled the point guard role despite being a true wing player. At the 2005 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, she averaged 15 points per game while leading the `Birds to three wins in 45 hours en route to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1989.
Last season after missing the first eight games due to injury, McCracken hit seven three-pointers and scored a career-high 25 points in her season debut at Illinois. The Rock Island, Ill., native currently ranks No. 7 in career three-point field goals and No. 7 in career three-point field goal percentage in the ISU women's basketball record book.
"What a great honor," McCracken said. "Coach Hutchison is such an incredible coach and an incredible person. She's really a role model for all female athletes being such a pioneer for women's athletics. I'm just honored to receive an award that is associated with her and the legacy she's left here at Illinois State."
Pingeton believes that McCracken is a player that Hutchison would have wanted on her team.
"Coach Hutchison built a tremendous tradition for women's basketball here at Illinois State over her 28 seasons, and Megan is a great representative of that tradition," Pingeton said. "She has a tremendous passion for the game, she wants to succeed and she's a team player."
Not only did Hutchison coach both basketball and softball at Illinois State, she also helped blaze a trail for future female athletes with her groundbreaking research on the full-court women's game. Now a Redbird basketball radio and television analyst, Hutchison compiled a 461-323 record in her 28 seasons in Normal.
The Jill Hutchison Endowed Scholarship is one of 14 endowed scholarships available to Illinois State student-athletes funded by private donors. Eight of them are already fully-funded, including the Jill Hutchison Endowed Scholarship. For more information about supporting Illinois State University endowments for student-athletes, contact The Redbird Club office at 309/438-3803.
Jill Hutchison Endowed Scholars
2006 Megan McCracken
2005 Holly Hallstrom
2004 Jaci McCormack
2003 Taren O'Brien
2002 Steph Reichle
2001 Kristi Larson
