Meredith Awarded First Brock Endowed Scholarship

Aug. 15, 2008

NORMAL, Ill. - The Herschel O. Brock Endowed Scholarship was established this year by the Brock family, and Illinois State senior football player Kedric Meredith is the first recipient of the scholarship fund.

"This means a lot to me," said Meredith. "To see hard work in the classroom actually get rewarded is great. I try not to be motivated by awards, but it definitely helps. When you receive an award like this, it just shows that people are paying attention."

The Brock Endowed Scholarship is presented annually to a Redbird male student-athlete who carries at least a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA). The recipient is selected by ISU Director of Athletics Dr. Sheahon Zenger.

"Kedric is one of our many great student-athletes at Illinois State, so this was a daunting task," said Zenger. "Not only will Kedric finish his Redbird football career as a three-year starter, while carrying a 3.34 grade-point average in accounting, but he has already completed three off-campus internships. He is a tremendous young man, and I look forward to following his successes in the future. He is extremely deserving of this honor."

The Redbird tight end was humbled to be selected by Zenger for the Brock Endowed Scholarship.

"I think it speaks to the kind of athletics director Dr. Zenger is," said Meredith. "My first year on campus, I don't even know who the AD was. It means a lot to me that he has the time to know the players and be able to reward us personally."

Brock lived in Bloomington, Ill., for 50 years and was a dedicated community leader and businessman. Throughout his life, he maintained close relationships with several Illinois State head coaches and was a loyal friend of Redbird Athletics.

"The Brock family's commitment is just another example of the community support in Bloomington-Normal for Illinois State and its athletics program," said Meredith. "It is good to know that we have a community that backs us."

The Herschel O. Brock Endowed Scholarship is one of 19 endowed scholarships available to Illinois State student-athletes that is funded by private donors.

For more information about supporting this, or any other Illinois State University endowment scholarships, call The Redbird Club office at (309) 438-3803.