Aug. 14, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State athletics department will welcome new student-athletes to campus and teach them the rich tradition and history of the university at the sixth annual Walk of Champions to be held on Sunday, August 20, at 6:30 p.m.
The walk, which will start on the ISU quad, describes the successes of Illinois State athletics over the years and continues across campus to various buildings and athletic facilities.
Ending at the doors of Redbird Arena, with a speech and welcome from Illinois State Director of Athletics Sheahon Zenger, the coveted ISU Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards will be announced. These awards are for accomplishments during the 2005-06 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 1966-1974. As athletics director, he successfully led the university's athletic program from the college division into Division I status. Additionally, Weisbecker had an outstanding record in seven seasons as the Redbirds' head golf coach, including a fourth-place NCAA College Division finish in 1969.
Nominees for the 2006 Milt Weisbecker Male Athlete of the Year include three football standouts: offensive lineman Stafford Davis, linebacker Cameron Siskowic and wide receiver Laurént Robinson.
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 2006 Jill Hutchison Female Athlete of the Year, including Illinois State gymnast Amy Biedenharn, volleyball outside hitter Laura Doornbos, women's soccer's Heather Forsyth, Samantha Richdale from the Redbird women's golf team, softball freshman Amber Smith and Devon Williams from the women's track and field team.
The male and female recipients are voted to distinction by Illinois State head coaches and athletic administrators.
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