23 February 1999 CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206
Titans’ Coon Finalist for Jostens Trophy
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois Wesleyan University junior Korey Coon is one of 10 finalists for the 1999 Jostens Trophy, recognizing the outstanding student-athletes in Division III basketball.
The Jostens Trophy was a joint creation of Jostens, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn., and the Rotary Club of Salem, Va. The purpose of the award is to honor the true Division III student-athlete the athlete that shows excellence in the classroom, on the playing court, and in the community.
A national selection committee consisting of college coaches, former athletes, college administrators, and selected members of the media chooses the winners of the Jostens Trophy. Nominations were submitted by chief executive officers of the participating NCAA Division III colleges and the national committee votes on the players based on three criteria basketball ability, academic prowess, and extra-curricular and/or civic activities exemplifying the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self."
A second team GTE® Academic All-American in 1998, the East Peoria High School product has a 4.0 grade-point average as a risk management and history major. A member of the IWU Economics Society, he is the author of "Macroeconomic Effect of the GM Strike" paper for economics journal. Coon is a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, was a Relay for Life Walk participant, and Kiwanis Club guest speaker. On campus, he is a member of the Titan Law Club, treasurer of the Risk Management and Finance Society, and president of the Phi Eta Sigma scholastic honorary.
Coon has moved up to No. 24 in career scoring at the school with 1,181 points and going into the final week of the regular season, Coon leads the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin in scoring, free throw percentage, and 3-point field goal percentage.
Coon has made 279 free throws, good for No. 12 in IWU history, and his .883 free throw percentage (279 of 316) is a school career record. He is also third among all Titans with 174 career 3-point field goals. His 137 free throws this year is the seventh best in a single season and his 38 3-pointers is tied for third.
He was a first team all-CCIW selection, first team all-Midwest Region, and honorable mention All-American as a sophomore when he finished second in nation in 3-point FG percentage and ninth in nation in free throw percentage.
The other finalists for the 1999 men’s Jostens Trophy are Jeff Bell, Olivet; Adam Doll, Simpson; David Jannuzzi, Wilkes; Brad Nelson, Willamette; Marc Newell, Gustavus Adolphus; Andy Panko, Lebanon Valley; Michael Schantz, Hamilton; Shawn Swavely, Albright; and Brian Tudman, McMurry (Texas).
Alicia Moore of Emory University (Ga.) and Michael Nogelo of Williams College (Mass.) were the women’s and men’s recipients of the first-ever Jostens Trophy last season.
In addition to the Jostens Trophy, the Wooldridge Scholarship is given in the name of the winner to his/her institution. The scholarship is named after Dan Wooldridge, a Salem Rotarian and retired commissioner of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, as a way of honoring him for his long-time dedication to Division III athletics.
As Jostens celebrated its 100th year recognizing achievement in America, it inaugurated the Jostens Trophy as a symbol of excellence for the Division III student-athlete. The trophy bears the name of the Minneapolis, Minn., company that is a leading provider of products and services that help people recognize achievement and affiliation throughout their lives. Jostens’ products include yearbooks, class rings, graduation products, school photography and business service and achievement awards.
Designed and sponsored by Jostens and the Salem Rotary Club, the 64-pound trophy stands nearly two feet tall and features an eight-inch crystal basketball.