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Doug Collins
scholarship goes to Alexander
[JUNE 16, 2003]
NORMAL
-- Although they are 30 years apart in age, current Illinois State
guard
Gregg Alexander
and former Redbird guard Doug Collins had similar experiences. Both
arrived in Normal as freshmen from downstate Illinois backgrounds
with plenty of people wondering if they could play Division I
basketball. Both proved the skeptics wrong, and, in Alexander's
case, the effort has produced a special connection to Collins as the
2003 Doug Collins Endowed Scholar.
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Proceeds from the Doug Collins Roast
and Toast in 1990 started the ball rolling for the funding of the
scholarship, named for the former Redbird all-American basketball
player, NBA star player, successful coach and NBA television
commentator who is the all-time leading scorer in Redbird basketball
history. The scholarship was first awarded in 1996 to Dan Muller.
Alexander is the eighth recipient.
Alexander, a Lincoln native who was a
member of the all-freshman team of the Missouri Valley Conference in
2002, understands the place held by Collins, a Benton native, in
Redbird basketball history. He appreciates his connection to the
former USA Olympic hero who is still Illinois State's all-time
leading scorer.
"It's a great honor to receive this and
to be considered for it because of all Doug Collins has done for
Illinois State," said Alexander. "He was an all-American and an NBA
star, and from all I've heard about him, he had a tremendous will to
win and a work ethic to lead his team to win. I'm hopeful people
will be able to look at me and say that 'he will do whatever it
takes for his team to win.'"
Alexander has impressed new head coach
Porter Moser.
[to top of second column in this
article]
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"Gregg is a quiet workhorse," said
Moser. "He is a leader by example. So far, his work ethic has made a
statement about the type of player he wants to be -- one who wants
to excel for his team. His dreams and goals define his work ethic."
The Doug Collins Endowed Scholarship is
one of 12 endowed scholarships that are funded by private donors and
available to Illinois State student-athletes. Six are already
fully-funded, including the Doug Collins Endowed Scholarship
For information about supporting
Illinois State University endowments for student-athletes, call The
Redbird Club office at (309) 438-3803.
Doug
Collins Endowed Scholars
2003 -- Gregg Alexander
2002 -- Trey Guidry
2001 -- Shawn Jeppson
2000 -- Randy Rice
1999 -- L. Dee Murdock
1998 -- Kyle Cartmill
1997 -- Rob Gibbons
1996 -- Dan
Muller
[Thomas Lamonica, Illinois State University]
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