Aug. 29, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Hard work, leadership and a great attitude are some of the characteristics that qualify Alfredo Lagarda as this year's recipient of the Illinois State men's tennis Benoni Green Endowment Scholarship.
The Hermosillo, Mexico, native is entering his senior season at Illinois State with a career record of 55-24 in singles and 29-21 in doubles. During 2005-06, Lagarda posted a 17-4 record in singles and a 2-2 mark in doubles helping ISU's tennis team win it's first-ever Missouri Valley Conference Championship.
Lagarda has high expectation for the 2006-07 season.
"I have many goals for this team," said Lagarda. "We have to take things on in stages. We first have to prepare and get mentally tough. I think as a team we are already close so it wont be hard for us to work together and continue to set goals and have a good season."
Head coach Greg Kennett feels that among the student- athletes he has coached, Lagarda is the hardest working and most deserving player for this scholarship.
"Alfredo is always organized, always prepared and constantly gives his all whether on the courts, in the weight room or in the classroom," said Kennett.
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.
"Benoni is known for helping junior tennis players in this area develop their tennis skills and for bringing the sport of tennis to the Bloomington-Normal area," said Kennett. "He is also known for being one of the most caring and compassionate people you will ever meet."
First awarded in 1999, the Benoni Green Scholarship is one of 15 endowed scholarship available to Illinois State student-athletes funded by private donors. Eight of them are fully-funded, including the Benoni Green Endowed Scholarship.
For more information about supporting Illinois State University endowments for student-athletes, call the Redbird Club office at (309) 438-3803.
