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Endowments

Illinois State has a long-standing tradition of providing a comprehensive athletics program that challenges students in a variety of competitive sports. Ensuring this legacy continues for tomorrow's student-athletes requires the use of many fund-raising tools, one of which is endowed scholarships.

The following endowments were established with significant principal that now supplies sufficient income to sustain student-athlete scholarships well into the future.

Fully Endowed Scholarships

Principal balance of over $100,000

Doug Collins Endowed Scholarship
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.
Benoni Green Endowed Scholarship
Established in 1998, the Benoni Green Endowed Scholarship was funded by friends of the star Redbird tennis player. Green competed at Illinois State prior to World War II and his scholarship was presented for the first time in 1999.
Jill Hutchison Endowed Scholarship
The Jill Hutchison Endowed 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 player.
Will Robinson Endowed Scholarship
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 since 1975.
W.F. Ruebush Endowed Scholarship
Funded in 2005 by a gift from the W.F. Ruebush Foundation, this scholarship honors the foundation’s creator, Walton Ruebush, a 1932 Illinois State graduate who captained the Redbird football team. Mr. Ruebush, who died in 1991, began his professional life as a teacher and coach before becoming a leader in personal finance. The scholarship will be presented annually to a Redbird football player with at least a 3.2 grade point average.
D.A. Weibring Endowed Scholarship
Established in 1994 with proceeds from the first five D.A. Weibring Redbird Golf Classics, the scholarship -- named for the former Redbird golfer -- goes to a current Redbird golfer who meets specific eligibility criteria. After another successful classic in 1995, the endowment became the first at Illinois State to be fully funded.
Milt Weisbecker Endowed Scholarship
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.

Other Important Endowed Scholarships

Must have a $100,000 principal balance to be Fully Endowed. Funds are continually being raised to fully endow each of the scholarships. If you are interested in assisting with these funds, please contact The Redbird Club Office.
Janyth Aellig Endowed Scholarship
Named after an avid and longtime Redbird supporter, the Janyth Aellig Endowed Scholarship was established in 1997, when Fred, husband of the late Janyth Aellig, funded the endowment with the help of more than 50 friends and family.
Duffy Bass Endowed Scholarship
Named for the baseball coach who retired in 1988 after leading the Redbirds to more than 700 wins, the Duffy Bass Scholarship is awarded annually to a junior or senior Redbird baseball player who demonstrates the spirit of Coach Bass.
L. Durwood Boone Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship was established with an initial grant from the estate of the late L. Durwood Boone, whose playing skills inspired the start of the Redbird golf program in the 1930s. It was awarded to a Redbird golfer for the first time in 1995.
Helen Cushman Endowed Scholarship
In January 1995 the Helen Cushman Endowed Scholarship Fund was established with $5,600 from Nina Chesebro and the late Pat Chesebro to benefit Illinois State's intercollegiate women's golf program and to honor their close friend, Helen Cushman. The pair decided to establish the fund prior to Pat Chesebro's death in appreciation to Cushman, who had introduced them to the game of golf.
Raymond W. Fairchild Memorial Award
Dr. Fairchild was Illinois State Normal University president from 1933 to 1954. After his death in the early 1960s, an endowment was established to fund a scholarship for a Redbird junior baseball player.
Dr. Linda Herman Endowed Scholarship
For more than three decades, Dr. Linda Herman contributed to the success of Redbird Athletics as a pioneering volleyball coach and award-winning administrator, including four terms as Illinois State’s interim director of athletics. Proceeds from the 2005 Joe Warner Memorial Golf Classic initiated funding for the scholarship, which will be presented annually to a volleyball student-athlete.
Stretch Miller Endowed Scholarship
Established in 1990, the Stretch Miller Scholarship was initially funded by recipients of the Stretch Miller Award for meritorious service to Redbird athletics. The award, initially made in 1995, will go to a current or former Redbird athlete enrolled in either undergraduate or graduate studies at Illinois State.
For more information on The Redbird Club membership and endowments, call (309) 438-3803 or e-mail The Redbird Club office.