Aug. 7, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
The hope of any Illinois State basketball player is to be mentioned in the same breath as Doug Collins, and senior Osiris Eldridge, the Redbirds' two-time Doug Collins Most Valuable Player, continued to strengthen the bond as the 2009 recipient of the Doug Collins Endowed Scholarship.
"Obviously, anytime anyone receives an honor in Doug Collins' name the standards are high," Illinois State head coach Tim Jankovich said. "Osiris has earned the right to be talked about in that type of category with all that he has done for us, and I think it is fitting that he would be named for this award."
Eldridge, who was named the 2009 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player, is a two-time first-team all-league selection and was named to the conference's all-defensive team for the first time in his career this past season.
The Chicago native ranked second on the team in scoring last season with 14 points per game. Eldridge was also second on the team in rebounding with 6.2 boards per contest. He led the Redbirds with 52 steals and ranked third with 83 assists.
Eldridge has led the Redbirds to 49 wins over the last two seasons and back-to-back postseason appearances.
"This is a great honor, because the first person always associated with Redbird basketball is Doug Collins," Eldridge said. "It's been a privilege to play on Doug Collins Court and I hope to create more lasting memories on that floor my teammates, my coaches, myself and the Illinois State fans this season."
Proceeds from a "Roast and Toast" event in 1990 began the funding of the fully-endowed scholarship. Collins, a Redbird All-American who played at Illinois State from 1969-73, starred in the 1972 Olympic Games and has had successful careers in the NBA as a player, coach and broadcaster. On Feb. 3, 2007, the hardwood playing surface within Redbird Arena was renamed "Doug Collins Court" after the only player to have his jersey number retired in ISU men's basketball history.
The Doug Collins Endowed Scholarship is one of 23 endowed scholarships available to Illinois State student-athletes that are 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.
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