April 16, 2008

NORMAL, Ill. - The annual ISU Credit Union Senior Banquet serves as the culmination for Illinois State senior student-athletes, as each senior receives their completed medallion after being handed the first half at the Walk of Champions event which began their Illinois State career. The 2008 Redbird senior class will be honored at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30 in Redbird Arena, to recognize all the accomplishments and accolades the class achieved during its time at Illinois State.

As a group, the 75-plus seniors combined for more than 630 victories, six conference championships and 12 trips to post-season play. In addition, among the senior class there are also four conference players of the year, 17 individual conference champions, 53 first-team all-conference selections and an all-American.

This group has also been busy in the classroom and community. During their tenure, Redbird Athletics has experienced exceptional academic success and over the last nine semesters, more than 60 percent of this class has appeared on the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll during each semester. This class helped set a department grade point average record with a 3.04 GPA and completed more than 2,000 community service hours in each of the last two academic school years.

Aaron Leetch, ISU's associate athletics director for external operations, values the event as the collegiate careers for ISU student-athletes draw to a close.

"This is a great event at Illinois State," Leetch said. "The student-athletes get a real sense of the Redbird tradition that comes full circle from their first event on campus with the Walk of Champions. Not only do the student-athletes complete their medallion, but the evening also provides a look back on all the championships, records and milestones that were reached. The event also emphasizes that every ISU student-athlete is, and will always be, a member of the Redbird family."

WMBD Sports Director and Illinois State graduate Kurt Pegler will again serve as the emcee for the event. Former men's basketball player Rick Whitlow will be the keynote speaker at the banquet.

Whitlow lettered from 1972-75 in basketball at Illinois State and led the Redbirds in scoring as a junior and senior. After averaging 22.2 points per game as a senior, Whitlow was drafted by the Houston Rockets in the NBA. After basketball, Whitlow enjoyed a lengthy career as a television sports director in Jackson, Miss., and is currently pursuing a career in politics. He was inducted into the ISU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1980.

To attend the event, tickets are $25 per person and must be ordered by Friday. For more information, please call 309/438-3636.