April 20, 2012
NORMAL, Ill. - The annual ISU Credit Union Senior Student-Athlete Banquet serves as the culmination for Illinois State senior student-athletes, as each senior receives their completed medallion after being handed the first half at the Walk of Champions event which began their Illinois State career. The 2012 Redbird senior class will be honored at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 25, in Redbird Arena to recognize all the accomplishments and accolades the class achieved during its time at Illinois State.
To attend the event, tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased in advance or at the door that night. To purchase tickets, or for more information, please call (309) 438-3639.
As a group, the 85 seniors combined for more than 600 victories, eight regular-season conference championships, eight conference tournament championships and 14 postseason appearances. In addition, among the senior class there are also three All-Americans, two conference players of the year, nine individual conference champions and 46 first-team all-conference selections. The 2012 seniors also helped Illinois State capture the 2010 Missouri Valley Conference All-Sport Championship.
This group has also been busy in the classroom and community. During their tenure, Redbird Athletics has experienced exceptional academic success over the last nine semesters and more than 60 percent of this class has appeared on the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll during each semester. This class posted a 3.03 cumulative grade-point average (GPA), and has contributed to ISU athletics breaking its department-wide GPA record three times, including the current record of a 3.15 GPA during the Fall of 2011. The group also contributed and helped the department complete more than 2,500 community service hours in each of the last four academic school years.
Illinois State Director of Development Mike Murray hopes that all of the Redbird seniors will appreciate the recognition of the end of their collegiate careers and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives as Illinois State alumni.
"This is one of many signature events our student-athletes get to experience as a Redbird," Murray said. "Upon arriving on campus, they participate in the Walk of Champions to gain a sense of the great tradition and history surrounding ISU Athletics. Throughout their careers they raise the banner, and add to that tradition as they fully understand what goes into making a Redbird. This event is extremely important, as our student-athletes move out of their collegiate playing days and are welcomed into the club that signifies a lifelong association with Redbird Athletics. We want them to continually feel connected and integrated into that club and to remember that "Once a Redbird...Always a Redbird".
WMBD Sports Director and Illinois State graduate Kurt Pegler will again serve as the emcee for the event. Also scheduled to speak are Illinois State University President Dr. Al Bowman and Illinois State Director of Athletics Gary Friedman.
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