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, seven deserving and outstanding student-athletes were selected for these honors.
The 2020-21 winners of the seven endowed scholarships dedicated to men's basketball include senior Keith Fisher III, juniors Dedric Boyd and Josiah Strong, sophomores Antonio Reeves, DJ Horne, and Abdou Ndiaye, and redshirt freshman Harouna Sissoko.
"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."
Doug Collins Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Keith Fisher III, senior, Los Angeles, Calif.
Fisher averaged 9.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for Illinois State in 2019-20. He played in 30 games during the year and had 13 double-figure scoring games, including two games of 20 or more points, and a season-high of 23 points against Bradley on Feb. 26.
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.
Bob and Audrey Weber Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Antonio Reeves, sophomore, Chicago, Ill.
Reeves was named to the MVC All-Bench Team for the 2019-20 season after averaging 7.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He played in all 31 games with a trio of starts and had 10 double-figure scoring games including a season-high 17 points against Missouri State on February 5.
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 // Dedric Boyd, junior, Brownsville, Tenn.
Boyd played in 26 games in 2019-20 and had four starts. He averaged 6.1 points per game, including a season-high 22 points at home against UCF on November 17, and later adding 19 points against Cincinnati on November 22 at the Paradise Jam.
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.
Will Robinson Endowed Scholarship Recipient // DJ Horne, sophomore, Raleigh, N.C.
As a freshman in 2019-20, Horne was named to the MVC All-Freshman Team after averaging 8.7 points per game. He scored in double-figures 14 times during the year, including two 20-point games to sandwich the MVC regular season. His high-mark for points came in the regular-season finale against Evansville with 24 points.
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 // Josiah Strong, junior, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Strong, a NJCAA All-American last year at Iowa Western, averaged 17.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, making 46 percent of his tries from long range. He scored in double-figures in 25-of-28 games during the season, including 13 games of 20 or more points.
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 // Abdou Ndiaye, sophomore, Louga, Senegal
Ndiaye played in 28 games during the year with nine starts. His 31 blocked shots led the team, as he also added 13 steals and 89 rebounds (3.2 per game). He played an average of 12 minutes per game, scored a season-high seven points at UTSA on December 21 and pulled down a season-high 11 rebounds against Cincinnati on November 22.
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.
Dave and Doris Schertz Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Harouna Sissoko, redshirt freshman, Kayes, Mali
Sissoko sat out last season as a redshirt after coming in from Grand View Christian High School in Des Moines, Iowa. He averaged 15.1 points for Grand View Christian while pulling down 159 rebounds, helping the school to a 26-1 record and a Class 1A State Title.
The Dave & Doris Schertz Endowed Scholarship was established in 2020 to honor Dave Schertz, a four-year basketball letterman (1956-1959) and Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame member, and his wife, Doris. Dave was Illinois State's captain and most valuable player for three seasons. He was on the all-NAIA District 20 team as a senior in 1959, when the Redbirds compiled a 24-5-record, won the conference title, and reached the NAIA national tournament. He still ranks No. 2 in career rebounds and No. 17 in career scoring. Preference will be given to a Men's Basketball Student-Athlete displaying significant character, commitment to community service, and high academic achievement within their chosen area of study.
The endowed scholarships donated by the seven 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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