NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Athletics announced on Monday that the North Gym at Horton Field House will be named Doug and Kathy Collins Gymnasium and the Athletics Leadership office in CEFCU Arena will be renamed The Doug and Kathy Collins Athletics Leadership Suite. The naming of the two spaces comes in conjunction with an investment into the Illinois State men's basketball program, and the changes were approved at the December 12, 2025, Illinois State Board of Trustees meeting.
"Doug and Kathy have been long-time supporters of Redbird Athletics, and we appreciate their continued support," ISU Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs said. "However, it's their feelings about Illinois State and Redbird Athletics that impress me the most. Â Recently they told me that Illinois State is personal to them, it's where they met, and their goal is to make a difference for the place that means so much to them. Naming the North Gym and the Athletics Leadership Suite in CEFCU Arena after Doug and Kathy is our way of showing them what they mean to us."
This announcement is a continuation of years of support from Doug and Kathy Collins, who will keep investing into the men's basketball program for years to come. Their support aims to make student-athletes' lives better in the areas of nutrition, travel, and enhancing their overall student-athlete experience.
Kathy and I met at ISU in 1972, fell in love and have been together for 53 years," Doug Collins said. "ISU played a huge part in the success we have enjoyed and has brought us so much joy. As always, we are at the same time both honored and humbled to receive such recognition at our alma mater and we are committed to helping our young Redbird student-athletes have every opportunity at success that all started at ISU for us. We will continue to give ISU our very best!"Â
Doug Collins remains the most decorated athlete in Illinois State history. The three-time All-American and 1972 Olympic Team member holds Illinois State records in career scoring (2,240), season scoring (847), career field goals made (894), and season field goals made (352). He had nine career 40-point scoring games over his ISU career, including the second- and third-highest scoring games in program history. He scored in double-figures in all 77 of his career games. In February 2007, "Doug Collins Court" was officially dedicated in CEFCU Arena and it was redesigned in February of 2025.
Collins has played and worked in basketball at almost every level including being an All-American at Illinois State, an NBA top overall draft pick, an Olympian in 1972, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, coaching the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, and Washington Wizards, and an NBA and Olympic broadcaster for ABC/ESPN, CBS, NBC, TNT, and TBS. He received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2024, he was bestowed the top honor to anyone associated with the game of basketball as a member of Nasmith Basketball Hall of Fame class alongside greats Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Seimone Augustus, Bo Ryan, Michael Cooper, Walter Davis, Charles Smith, Dick Barnett, Harley Redin, Michele Timms, Jerry West, and Herb Simon.
"Doug and Kathy Collins embody what it means to be true Redbirds," ISU men's basketball head coach Ryan Pedon said. "We are so grateful for their love of Illinois State and their pride in our men's basketball program. Their unwavering support has strengthened our program in immeasurable ways. They ensure the continued growth and development of our current players, while also impacting future generations of Redbirds. On behalf of our entire program, I would like to thank Doug, Kathy and the entire Collins family for their investment in the future of Redbird Men's Basketball."
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