June 16, 2010
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State second baseman Kevin Tokarski, the Missouri Valley Conference Joe Carter Player of the Year and State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player, has been awarded the second-annual Schuster Family Endowed Scholarship for his efforts in the classroom and on the field, the Illinois State Athletics Department announced Wednesday.
The redshirt sophomore from Downers Grove, Ill., finished the season among the nation's leaders with a .538 on-base percentage (7th in the nation), an average of 1.32 runs scored per game (13th), 25 doubles (tied for 18th), 33 stolen bases (tied for 19th), 70 runs scored (tied for 33rd) and a .412 batting average (tied for 36th). Along with leading the Redbirds in those statistics, Tokarski was also tops on ISU in hits (84), RBIs (53) and slugging percentage (.681).
A Ping! Baseball First Team All-American and Louisville Slugger Third Team All-American selection, Tokarski's on-base percentage, runs scored, hits, doubles, stolen bases and walks (53) set new Illinois State single-season records. After he missed all but four games of the 2009 season following several wrist surgeries, Tokarski returned in 2010 to help lead the Redbirds to their first-ever Valley regular season championship and their first State Farm MVC Tournament title since 1994.
"Kevin is a great representative of our program on and off the field," Head coach Mark Kingston said. "He is a premier player and quality student. He is perfect for the Schuster Family Scholarship."
The Schuster Family Endowed Scholarship was established in honor of Andrew Schuster, a four-year letterwinner in baseball for the Redbirds, and Danielle Miller-Schuster, a "Redline Dancer" at ISU athletic events. The scholarship was established by Robert and LaNita Schuster, and it is presented annually to a junior or senior member of the Illinois State baseball team.
The Schuster Endowed Scholarship is one of 23 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.
