April 1, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
The annual Redbird Club (TRC) fund drive, which is the fund-raising arm of Illinois State Athletics and funds the scholarships of all the Redbird student-athletes, officially began this week.
The Redbird Club provides the essential scholarship assistance for all 19 intercollegiate sports at Illinois State. As of July 2009, The Redbird Club will need to generate over $2.7 million to pay for scholarship expenses, directly paid to the university. The goal is for every student-athlete at Illinois State to cross the stage at graduation, receive his or her diploma in one hand and have a championship ring on the other.
Currently, the TRC is over 1,100-members strong, and the goal for the 2009-10 academic year is to exceed 1,500.
"We have made good progress over the past four years with the help of many dedicated volunteers," said ISU Assistant Athletics Director for Development Doug Banks. "We are optimistic about reaching or exceeding our goal of 1,500 TRC members during this fund drive. Collectively we can surpass our goal and continue to supply the support needed to fund the scholarships, which will make us more competitive, not only, in the Missouri Valley Conference, but nationally as well."
The annual fund drive, as in past years, consists of two fund-raising teams to provide a competitive spirit. The drive officially ends May 15, for competition purposes, but patrons interested in joining the TRC can become members at any time during the year.
Any individuals interested in becoming members of the TRC during the fund drive, can do so by contacting The Redbird Club office at 309/438-3803, or visit GoRedbirds.com and click on "Donate" in the upper right-hand corner.
