NORMAL, Ill. – Each year, deserving Illinois State women's basketball student-athletes are chosen as recipients for prestigious endowed scholarship at Illinois State University. This year, four outstanding Redbirds were selected for these honors by head coach Kristen Gillespie.
The 2019-20 winners of the four endowed scholarships dedicated to women's basketball included seniors TeTe Maggett, Megan Talbot and Lexi Wallen, and redshirt freshman Mary Crompton.
"TeTe, Megan, Lexi and Mary embody what it means to be a Redbird and everything you want in your program," Gillespie said. "Their dedication in the classroom and on the court is unmatched. Each are leaders and role models to their teammates, and we could not be any prouder of them. They are very deserving of these endowed scholarships, and I look forward to their continued success."
Rev. Dr. Joanne Peppard-Cooke Endowed Scholarship Recipient // TeTe Maggett, Sr., G, North Chicago, Ill.
Maggett scored double figures in 25 contests and averaged 15.9 points per game in her debut 2018-19 season for the Redbirds. She collected many accolades throughout the year, including earning four Newcomer of the Week honors, being selected to First Team All-MVC, and was named MVC Newcomer of the Year at the conclusion of the season.
The Cooke scholarship was established by Dr. Cooke in 2006. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide support for a member of the women's basketball team. "Pep" created this scholarship to express her support of education and athletics. As a recipient of a scholarship herself, "Pep" was aware of the difference such can make in the life of a student. The scholarship is awarded annually to a member of the women's basketball team.
Robert and Laura Garrett Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Mary Crompton, R-Fr., G, Iowa City, Iowa
Crompton made four starts and appeared in five games last year, before her season ended prematurely due to injury. She averaged 8.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
The Garrett scholarship was established in 2008 by Robert and Laura Garrett. The scholarship is for women's basketball and volleyball, long-time loves of both Bob and Laura. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a member of the women's basketball team or a member of the women's volleyball team.
Jill Hutchison Endowed Scholarship // Lexi Wallen, Sr., F, Champaign, Ill.
Wallen joined the women's basketball team in December of 2018, following a four-year career with the ISU volleyball team. In her debut season, she appeared in 24 games and made five starts, averaging 5.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
The Jill Hutchison scholarship was established in 1999, when the Redbird coaching legend retired from the women's basketball post. The award honoring the winningest coach in Illinois State history is given to a women's basketball student-athlete.
Bob & Audrey Weber Endowed Scholarship // Megan Talbot, Sr., F, Barrington, Ill.
Talbot appeared in 20 games during the 2018-19 season, scoring a season-high 12 points at Bradley (1/26) and shooting 41.3 percent from the floor. So far this season, Talbot is averaging 5.0 rebounds per game.
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.
These endowed scholarships are among the more than 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.
For all latest on Illinois State women's basketball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team at @RedbirdWBB (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).
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