The Illinois Wesleyan University Athletics Department will be made even stronger with the establishment of The Legends Endowment for Athletic Excellence announced by Athletic Director Mike Wagner, Tuesday, December 1. The new six-figure endowment was made possible through the generosity of Jeff (’74) and Janet (’74) Solberg, Dr. Cal (’73) and Kris Atwell, Pat Busch (’78) and Michelle Zeller, Doug (’73) and Vicky Stewart, and Steve (’73) and Deb (’74) Wannemacher.
“We are so excited to announce the Legends Endowment for Athletic Excellence to the greater IWU community,” Wagner exclaimed. “This new endowment will forever enhance the student-athlete experience at IWU, while providing our coaches with the tools they need to develop future leaders.”
The endowment is named in honor of IWU athletics “legends” who made a lasting impact on the lives of countless student-athletes while also laying the foundation for the success IWU athletics enjoys today: Jack Horenberger, AD and baseball and basketball coach, Bob Keck, track and field and football coach, Don Larson, football and golf coach, Dennie Bridges, basketball coach and AD, Barb Cothren, softball, tennis, and volleyball coach and administrator, and Edgar Alsene, IWU’s first sports information director.
“I would personally like to recognize and thank Jeff and Janet Solberg for their support, generosity and leadership in envisioning and providing the lead gift for this endowment,” added Wagner. “The Solbergs and all the initial donors have laid the foundation for a fund that will provide perpetual enhancements to our athletic programs that would otherwise be impossible. Every year, funds from the endowment will have an impact on capital improvements, equipment and technology upgrades, student-athlete travel and nutrition, and many other departmental needs. It is a fitting legacy to their love of and commitment to Illinois Wesleyan.”
Illinois Wesleyan athletics has a national reputation for excellence in competition, academics, and service to the community. The Titans have won eight team NCAA national championships, 24 individual NCAA national championships, and 160 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin titles.
Academically, IWU ranks in the top-30 nationally among all NCAA divisions with 133 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and has seen seven College Division Academic All-Americans of the Year recipients. Furthermore, six Titan student-athletes have earned the NCAA’s “Elite 90” award, which is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average participating at the finals site for the NCAA championships.
More than one-third of Illinois Wesleyan students participate in Titan Athletics. In the Bloomington-Normal community, IWU student-athletes, coaches, and staff have donated more than $450,000 and completed roughly 35,000 community service hours over the past decade.
Please reach out to Tony Bankston (’91), Director of Titan Athletic Fund or Chris Murray (’91), Advancement Liaison to Athletics for more information about giving to this Endowment.
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