Illinois State Athletics honored its top student-athletes, coaches, and supporters at the annual Reggie Awards on April 29. The event took place at CEFCU Arena and was sponsored by Illinois State Credit Union.
The awards ceremony is an important occasion for the Illinois State Redbirds community to celebrate achievements in athletics and academics. The gathering brought together athletes, administrators, faculty, staff, and fans to acknowledge dedication both on and off the field.
DJ Smalls served as host for the evening. Dr. Jeri Beggs, Director of Athletics, addressed attendees with words of gratitude for their commitment to Redbird Athletics. Illinois State University President Dr. Aondover Tarhule congratulated student-athletes on their successes during the year. Mason Kaplan, president of the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), also spoke on behalf of SAAC and presented this year’s Redbird Cup to the soccer program.
The ceremony featured several award presentations: Tommy Rittenhouse received Milt Weisbecker Male Athlete of the Year; Madi Valenti was named Jill Hutchison Female Athlete of the Year; Mason Kaplan earned Doug Collins Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year; Ava Watson was recognized as Linda Herman Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year; Victor Dawson won Male Newcomer of the Year; Becca Heitzig was awarded Female Newcomer of the Year; Luke Mailander received Male Freshman of the Year; Morgan Calhoun earned Female Freshman of the Year; Ryan Schaefer won Dr. Jim Johnson Phoenix Award; Mia Oh received Laurie Mabry Award; Maddie Zizzo earned ISU Spirit Award; Men’s Basketball won Community Service Award; Soccer claimed Redbird Cup Winner.
According to the official website, Illinois State Redbirds benefits from resources like the Redbird Athletics Excellence Fund which supports competitiveness and recruitment efforts. The men’s basketball team posted an 8-2 record in one of its strongest starts according to official reports. Student-athletes utilize facilities such as OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center for preparation as noted by university sources. The athletic program is affiliated with Illinois State University according to university information.
Fans can access news updates, schedules, rosters, and other resources through GoRedbirds.com or via dedicated apps as outlined by official channels. The Illinois State Redbirds compete in NCAA Division I events across various regions according to university records.
Looking ahead, officials say these recognitions highlight ongoing efforts to support athletic excellence while fostering a strong sense of community among students and supporters.
