June 8, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State's Dinma Odiakosa remained the only ever recipient of the James Collie Endowed Scholarship, when the senior forward was selected for the honor for the second-straight season.
The Collie scholarship is presented annually to a junior or senior Redbird men's basketball player, who carries a 2.5 grade-point average (GPA) or higher. Odiakosa, a telecommunications management major, carries a 3.06 GPA.
"Dinma is an absolute pleasure to coach," said ISU head coach Tim Jankovich. "He is a tireless worker on the court and in the classroom and he continues to progress and excel in both areas. Because of his work ethic and skill set, I still believe the sky is the limit for him."
Odiakosa played in all 34 games last season with 33 starting assignments and was named to the Missouri Valley Conference's All-Defensive Team. He led the conference in offensive rebounds (101) and field goal percentage (.618). He also led the Redbirds in rebounding with 7.5 boards per game and his 256 rebounds was the best single-season rebounding effort by a Redbird in over 20 seasons.
He also earned second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete honors, while averaging a career-best 8.7 points per game.
"I'm thrilled to be the recipient of the Collie Endowed Scholarship again this season," said Odiakosa. "I know Illinois State has a rich basketball history and Coach Collie was a big part of that. I think we have been able to build on that tradition over the last two seasons, and I'm looking forward to my senior season this year."
Widely known as "Gentlemen Jim," Collie passed away May 1, 2006. He still ranks No. 2 in Illinois State men's basketball history with 209 coaching victories, while leading the Redbirds from 1958-70.
One of Collie's former assistant coaches, Dale Cruise, along with two former players, Gene Jontry and Bob Rush, were instrumental in the process of establishing the scholarship and raising the funds. The outpouring of support is a tribute to the late Redbird basketball coach, as the scholarship reached the $20,000 level to become endowed. Over 77 individuals donated to the scholarship fund, including 10 who contributed to both of the mail solicitations. The fund will remain open for future contributions until it reaches the fully-funded status of $100,000.
Collie arrived at Illinois State in 1957, after coaching stops at Friends University in Wichita, Kan., and McKendree College in Lebanon, Ill. He inherited a program that had seldom finished a season above .500 since World War II ended, but his high-speed offense generated a quick turnaround. In just his second season (1958-59), Collie led the Redbirds to a then-school-record 24 wins, an NAIA District Championship and recognition as the Illinois Coach of the Year.
As victories mounted, fan support increased, and the Redbirds moved from McCormick Gym to Horton Field House in the mid-1960s. Collie's coaching success reached new heights, as the 1966-67 team finished fourth in the NCAA College Division (now Division II) Tournament. His 1967-68 team went 25-3, ranked No. 3 in the nation, but was upset early in the NCAA Tournament. Collie was inducted into the ISU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1976.
The Collie Endowed Scholarship is one of 23 endowed scholarships available to Illinois State student-athletes that are 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.
