Aug. 9, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Since arriving on the campus of Illinois State, Greg Dilligard's stock has continued to rise and even after leading the team in scoring and rebounding last season he still wants to improve. It's the burning desire to become the best he can be that earned Greg Dilligard the 2006 Doug Collins Endowed Scholarship at Illinois State.
Proceeds from the Doug Collins Roast and Toast in 1990 started the ball rolling for the funding of the scholarship. It is named for the former Redbird All-American who played at Illinois State from 1969-73, starred in the 1972 Olympic Games and has had successful careers in professional basketball as a player, coach and broadcaster.
Illinois State head coach Porter Moser appreciates Dilligard's desire to constantly improve.
"Greg has been very motivated about improving. He was our most improved player and was also recognized by the league as such," said Moser. "He has meant a tremendous amount to our program and guys look up to him. He's one of our captains and he's an example of how to carry yourself on and off the floor. He's just a first class individual."
Dilligard started all 28 games last season, while averaging 9.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He also led the team in field goal percentage (.537), blocked shots (62) and minutes played (844) en route to being named to the 2006 Missouri Valley Conference Most Improved Team.
"This is just a great honor, because Doug Collins was such a great player and means so much to Illinois State," said Dilligard. "We all worked hard to achieve things and to receive this honor means a lot to me. I'm just going to continue to work hard and try to get better."
The Doug Collins Endowed Scholarship is one of 14 endowed scholarships available to Illinois State student-athletes funded by private donors. It is also one of eight fully endowed scholarships in athletics.
For more information about supporting this, or any other Illinois State University endowment scholarships, call The Redbird Club office at (309) 438-3803.
