Duckworth Dedication Photo Gallery
Eastern Illinois officially dedicated the Kevin Duckworth Memorial Basketball Scholarship during halftime ceremonies of the Jan. 31 victory against Jacksonville State. The Panther athletic department has donated $2,500 to spearhead the scholarship effort. Donations may be made to the scholarship by contacting the EIU Philanthropy Office at (217) 581-5831.
During the halftime ceremony several former EIU basketball players joined EIU director of athletics Barbara Burke and Kevin Duckworth's mother Maxine for the ceremony. The following proclamation was read to dedicate the scholarship.
Whereas Kevin Duckworth is EIU's all-time leading rebounder (867) and No. 6 all-time scorer (1569)
Whereas Kevin Duckworth was a 1986 NBA Second Round Draft, the highest ever for a Panther men's basketball player, and was voted First Team All Mid-Continent Conference
Whereas Kevin Duckworth was a two-time NBA Western Conference All-Star with the Portland Trailblazers and selected the NBA's Most Improved Player in 1988
Whereas Kevin Duckworth led the Trailblazers to the 1990 and 1992 NBA finals and concluded his career at the Trailblazers No. 10 all-time leading scorer
Whereas, and most importantly, Kevin Duckworth continued his post-season career as a great ambassador for Eastern Illinois University and the sport of basketball through his involvement with civic and youth organizations in the Great Northwest
Therefore upon the recommendation of Director of Athletics Barbara Burke, Eastern Illinois University athletics today formally establishes the Kevin Duckworth Memorial Men's Basketball Scholarship annually presented to a Panther men's basketball player who is in good academic standing and best exemplifies Kevin's personal standards.
January 31, 2009
