NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State head men's basketball coach Dan Muller has announced the student-athletes that were chosen as the recipients for prestigious endowed scholarships, and this year, six deserving and outstanding student-athletes were selected for these honors.
The 2018-19 winners of the six endowed scholarships dedicated to men's basketball include seniors William Tinsley, Keyshawn Evans, Phil Fayne, and Milik Yarbrough, junior Matt Hein, and sophomore Taylor Bruninga.
"As a former recipient of one of these scholarships, I know how much of an honor it is," said Muller. "We are incredibly grateful for the support and the commitment shown by the endowment of these scholarships. These great Redbirds left a legacy that is still impacting our program today."
Bob and Audrey Weber Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Taylor Bruninga, sophomore, Mapleton, Ill.
Bruninga has missed the entire 2018-19 season to this point with a foot injury; however, the sophomore averaged 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game as a freshman in 2017-18. He scored a career-high 20 points at BYU last season and had six games in which he scored at least 10 points.
The Weber scholarship was established in 2006 by Bob Weber in honor of his late wife Audrey, longtime Redbird fans and supporters. The Webers became men's basketball season ticket holders in 1974, football season ticket holders in the mid-1980's and became women's basketball season ticket holders in 2003. The scholarship is awarded annually to a member of the men's or women's basketball team.
Milt Weisbecker Endowed Scholarship Recipient // William Tinsley, senior, Colfax, Ill.
This season Tinsley is averaging 5.4 points per game, while pulling down 4.2 boards per contest. He had a season-high scoring game of 14 points against Georgia in the Cayman Islands Classic. Last season, he averaged 6.0 points per game, including ending the season scoring in double-figures five times over the final nine games, averaging 11.7 points during that span.
Established in 1990 to honor the Redbird athletics director who led Illinois State's program into Division I status, the Milt Weisbecker Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior men's basketball player who meets specific academic standards.
Doug Collins Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Keyshawn Evans, senior, Plantation, Fla.
Evans has the seventh-most career made three-pointers in program history and is 161-of-422 for his career from long range. As a junior, he averaged 15.2 points per game and made 91 three-point field goals, the second-most in a season in school history. This season he is averaging 6.5 points per game and has made 17 three-point field goals over the team's 14 games.
The proceeds from the Doug Collins Roast and Toast in 1990 established the scholarship in the name of Illinois State's all-time leading basketball scorer. It is presented annually to either a junior or senior men's basketball player who meets academic requirements and contributes significantly to his team.
Will Robinson Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Milik Yarbrough, senior, Zion, Ill.
Early in the season, Yarbrough was named to the watch list for the Lou Henson Award, given annually to the top mid-major basketball player in the country. This season, he is averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He has scored in double-figure points 10 times this season including scoring at least 20 points five times.
Proceeds from the 1994 Doug Collins Chicago Golf Outing and a special announcement reception established the Will Robinson Scholarship. Robinson was the Redbird basketball coach from 1970 to 1975 and a pioneer among African-American college coaches. The scholarship also funds an internship with the Detroit Pistons, Robinson's employer until his death in 2008.
Dr. James Collie Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Matt Hein, junior, Windermere, Fla.
Hein, who graduated with his bachelor's degree in December of this year, averaged 4.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore in 2017-18. He scored in double-figures three times during the season and has made 26-of-83 three-point shots on the season. This year he is averaging 3.0 points per game while dishing out 2.1 assists per contest.
The Collie scholarship was established in 2008 through funds raised by former players and coaches of Coach Collie. "Gentleman Jim" coached ISU men's basketball 1958-1970 achieving 209 coaching victories. Dr. Collie was elected to the ISU Hall of Fame in 1976. Much of today's Redbird basketball tradition traces directly to the Collie era. His players remember him as one who helped to positively mold all their lives. The scholarship is awarded annually to a junior or senior on the men's basketball team.
Andrew C. Butler Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Phil Fayne, senior, Elk Grove, Calif.
Fayne, who was named the MVC Player of the Week on Dec. 9, averages 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds - both of which are top-10 in the MVC. This season he has made just shy of 70 percent of his free throws and 55 percent of his shots from the field. He currently has scored 985 career points in his two-plus seasons and is 15 points shy of becoming the 44th member of the program's 1,000-point club.
The Andrew C. Butler Endowed Scholarship was established in May 2015 from gifts in memory of Andy Butler. Andy attended his beloved Illinois State University, graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Andy was an extremely successful salesperson and manager for Sprint. He was an avid golfer and sports fan, and loyal ISU Redbird supporter. He had a passion for connecting ISU alums and fans with Redbird Athletics and enjoyed attending games with his fiancé Jamie. The endowment rotates to benefit a member of the Redbird men's basketball, football, or men's golf team.
The endowed scholarships donated by the six created a permanent fund. Contributions are invested to ensure the scholarship retains its value in perpetuity, and the scholarships created by the endowment are funded through the interest income generated by the endowment, not the principle amount.
These endowed scholarships are among the 30 available to Illinois State student-athletes that are funded by private donors. For more information about establishing or contributing to an endowed scholarship, please call the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund office at (309) 438-3803. To read about each current endowment in more detail, visit the WSF website at www.weisbeckerscholarshipfund.com.
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