Redbird Football 2021-2022 Endowment Recipients Announced

0

NORMAL, Illinois – Each year, deserving Illinois State Student-Athletes are chosen as recipients of prestigious Illinois State Scholarships, and this year six outstanding Redbird football players were selected for these. honors by ISU head coach. Brock Spack.

Among the 2021-2022 winners of the five endowment scholarships awarded to football student-athletes are Timothy McCloyn II, Jason lewan, Tanner Taula, Drawn bones, Kenton wilhoit and Shanon reid. Each reflects the standards set by those who created the endowments, and each truly represents what it means to be a Redbird football student-athlete.

“All of our recipients this year are very deserving 2021-22 recipients,” said Spack. “Each of these student-athletes embody everything you want from a member of our program. They are all excellent students and work extremely hard on the field, but they are even better people off the field. set an example that they should all follow while they are here at Illinois State. “

WF Ruebush Endowment Scholarship // Timothy McCloyn II | Senior | Rear | Lake in the Hills, Illinois
McCloyn has been integral to the Redbirds’ rushing offense over the past four seasons as the group’s main fullback. He continues to be one of the best in his role at the Missouri Valley Football Conference and after the spring of 2021 he was named an All-MVFC Honorable Mention Selection. McCloyn is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Kinesiology and Recreation and maintains a GPA of 3.67.

Funded in 2005 by a donation from the WF Ruebush Foundation, this scholarship honors the founder of the foundation, Walton Ruebush, a 1932 Illinois state graduate and captain of 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. Each candidate for a Ruebush Football Scholarship must be or have: Enrolled in good standing at Illinois State University, has demonstrated strong academic achievement, as evidenced by a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; and a member in good standing of the Illinois State University Football Team.

Ed Struck and Carl D. Heldt Endowment Scholarship // Jason lewan | Juniors | Defensive lineman | Yorkville, Illinois
Lewan is a three-year starter on the Redbirds’ defensive line and started 26 straight games during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He started the first two games of the spring 2021 season, before sustaining a late season injury. Lewan is studying for a bachelor’s degree in marketing and maintains a GPA of 3.76.

The Ed Struck and Carl D. Heldt Endowment Football Scholarship was created and first awarded in 2012. Due to the impact of these two coaches, a group of former ISU players created this scholarship. and it will be awarded annually. Ed Struck was head football coach for over 20 years at the ISU while Carl D. Heldt was on the faculty for 22 years. This endowed scholarship will serve as a legacy for future generations of Illinois State University student-athletes in perpetuity.

Rollie and Mary Mercer Endowment Scholarship // Tanner Taula | Juniors | tight end | Independence, Missouri
Taula has appeared in 28 games with the Redbirds over the past three seasons, with four close starts during the 2021 spring season. In just four games, he set career highs in receptions (13), yards (122) and touchdowns (2). Taula is currently pursuing a degree in Leisure Management and maintains a GPA of 3.46.

The Rollie Mercer Scholarship was established in October 2018. Preference will be given to a currently enrolled football student-athlete in good academic standing. In addition, preference will be given to an offensive player (tight wearing # 85 if applicable) who demonstrates a team attitude first.

Bill Mitze Endowment Scholarship // Drawn bones | Juniors | Offensive lineman | Ottawa, Kansas
Bones is a three-year starter on the Redbirds offensive line and was instrumental in the success of All-American James Robinson during his All-American career. Bones intends to be a physical education teacher and coach when he graduates and currently has a 3.38 GPA.

The Bill Mitze Scholarship was established in August 2018. Bill was a student football athlete from 1957 to 1959 and graduated in 1960 from the ISU. He was an education administrator, teacher and coach for a long time before retiring. He was also an active member of various civic and religious organizations. Preference will be given to a football student-athlete who is majoring in education or who shows high academic results in the field of study of their choice.

James R. Tague Endowment Scholarship // Kenton wilhoit | Juniors | Linebacker | Oak Grove, Missouri
Wilhoit took on the role of starting middle linebacker for the Redbirds during the 2021 spring season, having spent the previous two seasons as a member of a special team. He tied for the team lead in tackles with 22 in all four games played and also had an interception return for a touchdown at UNI. Wilhoit currently holds a cumulative GPA of 3.43 in Business Administration at ISU.

The James R. Tague Scholarship was established in April 2015 as a generous donation from Jim’s family in his memory / honor and benefits a Redbird football student-athlete. Jim was a star on the Redbird football team and was inducted into the Illinois State Percy Family Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the grill in 1990. Jim was a salesman and advisor to extremely successful insurance, having its own agency for over 50 years. He was passionate about golf and sports, as well as a staunch supporter of the ISU Redbird.

Andrew C. Butler Endowment Scholarship // Shanon reid | Juniors | Linebacker | Fort Meyers, Florida
Reid made an immediate impact for the Redbirds in his first season last spring, earning the All-MVFC Honorable Mention as linebacker. He finished the year with 18 tackles, one sack and three tackles for a loss in a first breakout season. He is pursuing a university education and has a cumulative GPA of 3.10.

The Andrew C. Butler Fellowship was established in May 2015 with donations in memory of Andy Butler. Andy attended his beloved Illinois State University, where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Andy was an extremely successful salesperson and manager for Sprint. He was passionate about golf and sports, as well as a staunch supporter of the ISU Redbird. He had a passion for connecting ISU alumni and fans with Redbird Athletics and loved attending games with his fiance Jamie. The endowment revolves around a member of the Redbird men’s basketball, football or golf team.

These scholarships are among 33 available to student-athletes in the State of Illinois that are funded by private donors. For more information on creating or contributing an endowed scholarship, please call the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund office at (309) 438-3803. To learn more about each current endowment, visit the WSF website at www.weisbeckerscholarshipfund.com.

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds app: Your sources for Illinois State Notes, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund giveaways, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.

Share.

Leave A Reply