NORMAL, Ill. – A total of 157 Illinois State first-year student-athletes took part in an annual rite of passage at the 14th annual Walk of Champions on Sunday night.
The new student-athletes were given a torch-guided tour of historic campus landmarks the night before fall classes begin to learn about the history and tradition of Illinois State's athletics program. The new student-athletes were guided through campus by current student-athletes and members of ISU's athletics administration staff, and heard from President Larry Dietz and Director of Athletics Larry Lyons, among others, following a group dinner. The event was emceed by ISU alum and local sports broadcaster Kurt Pegler.
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The ceremony culminated with student-athletes receiving the first half of a medallion; they receive the other half on the night of their senior banquet. The inscription on the medallion, emblazoned with the Redbird logo, is the phrase from the fight song: "To This Emblem We'll be True." Each remaining medallion piece was placed in the Chalice of Champions, which is displayed prominently in the Owen Strength and Conditioning Center as a reminder to Redbird student-athlete as they progress through their careers.
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