 The Collie Scholarship will be presented annually to a junior or
senior ISU men's basketball player who carries a 2.5 grade-point
average or higher. Odiakosa, entering his fourth year in the
telecommunications management program at Illinois State, has a 3.09
GPA in 93 completed credit hours, including a 16-credit-hour
schedule during the 2008 spring semester.
"Dinma (Odiakosa) has been an absolute pleasure to coach in my
time at Illinois State," said head coach Tim Jankovich. "He is an
extremely hard worker and a quick learner, both in practices and
while making in-game adjustments. Dinma continued to improve each
time he took the court, and he was a large part of our success last
season. He has worked very hard, both on his individual game and in
the classroom. Dinma has a bright future in both basketball and in
life, and I think the sky is the limit for him."
Odiakosa started 34 of Illinois State's 35 games last season. He
came off the bench in the Redbirds' 68-54 win over Creighton Feb.
27, insisting that senior Levi Dyer start his final regular-season
game at Redbird Arena. Odiakosa recorded eight double-digit scoring
efforts, including one in each of the Redbirds' two home National
Invitation Tournament contests, where he averaged 12.5 points per
game. Odiakosa also averaged 5.5 rebounds per game and shot 57
percent (98-of-172) from the field.
"It is a great honor and privilege to be associated with coach
(James) Collie's name," said Odiakosa. "It is definitely challenging
to find a balance between being a student and an athlete, and you
really have to be determined to work hard both on and off the court.
My studies are something I take great pride in, and I am grateful to
have been given the opportunity to focus on both academics and
basketball at Illinois State the past three years."
One of Collie's former assistant coaches, Dale Cruise, along with
two former players, Gene Jontry and Bob Rush, were instrumental in
the process of establishing the scholarship and raising the funds.
Widely known as "Gentlemen Jim," Collie died May 1, 2006. He
still ranks No. 2 in Illinois State men's basketball history with
209 coaching victories, while leading the Redbirds from 1958-70.
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The outpouring of support is a tribute to the late Redbird
basketball coach, as the scholarship reached the $20,000 level to
become endowed. Over 77 individuals donated to the scholarship fund,
including 10 who contributed to both of the mail solicitations. The
fund will remain open for future contributions until it reaches the
fully funded status of $100,000.
Collie arrived at Illinois State in 1957, after coaching stops at
Friends University in Wichita, Kan., and McKendree College in
Lebanon, Ill. He inherited a program that had seldom finished a
season above .500 since World War II ended, but his high-speed
offense generated a quick turnaround. In just his second season
(1958-59), Collie led the Redbirds to a then-school-record 24 wins,
an NAIA district championship and recognition as the Illinois Coach
of the Year.
As victories mounted, fan support increased, and the Redbirds
moved from McCormick Gym to Horton Field House in the mid-1960s.
Collie's coaching success reached new heights as the 1966-67 team
finished fourth in the NCAA College Division (now Division II)
tournament. With star players like Jerry McGreal, Steve Arends and
George Terry returning, the 1967-68 team went 25-3, ranked No. 3 in
the nation, but was upset early in the NCAA tournament.
Collie was inducted into the ISU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1976.
Individuals interested in contributing to the Collie Endowed
Scholarship should contact the Illinois State Athletics Development
Office at 309-438-3803.
[Text from file received from Todd Kober,
assistant athletics director, media relations,
Illinois
State University]
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