Previous Glen Hesler Award Winners
Eastern Illinois Athletics announced today that Jerry Groniger and Marlene Brotherton have been named the recipients of the 2019 EIU Panther Club Glen Hesler Award.
Eastern Illinois University Athletics usually announces the Glen Hesler Award recipient at the annual Panther Club Spring Fling fundraising event held in April of each year. Due to Covid-19, the event format was changed into a virtual event and held in October of this year. The presentation of the award was postponed until an in person presentation could be safely arranged.
Instead, today at First Mid Court at Lantz Arena, the announcement was done via the newly installed videoboards with awards presented to both Jerry Groniger and Marlene Brotherton in person following the EIU women's basketball team's afternoon practice.
Tom Michael, Director of Athletics made the presentation of the awards to Jerry and Marlene, on the balcony of the arena, while the Women's basketball team watched and applauded from the court.
Glen Hesler, is a former EIU student-athlete, who suited up for the Panthers and played football in the 1920's. He is a distinguished alumnus and a lifetime EIU benefactor. Hesler's dedication to helping student-athletes achieve, by providing support to the Athletics Department, has been the model for philanthropic giving for many years. Because of his love of EIU, and student-athletes, his name has been given to an award given annually by the Panther Club.
Jerry and Marlene have been loyal supporters of Eastern Illinois University and the Panther Club for many years. Groniger, a Mattoon, Illinois resident, began his gifting to EIU in January 2012, with an estate gift commitment during the EI&U Expect Greatness campaign. Since that time, he has been a dedicated supporter of Panther Athletics, including gifts to the Legacy Building Fund for the women's locker room renovation; the LAIR Fund and Panther Club. He has also provided support for other EIU programs, such as the President's Gift Account and Friends of WEIU TV. Brotherton, a Sullivan, Illinois resident, is a recent Panther Club member, who has been involved since 2017 donating to the Panther Club and specifically to the Women's Basketball program.
"Their generosity emulates the commitment and dedication that the Glen Hesler award represents, and for the first time in the history of this prestigious award, it is given to a team of two, Jerry and Marlene," said EIU President David Glassman, making the announcement via video.
Also speaking via video were Head Basketball Coach
Matt Bollant, "Jerry, you're a difference maker and I appreciate you... our coaching staff, our players appreciate you so much for all you've done," and "Marlene, we are so thankful that you bring that smile and that happiness and joy to life, to remind us what this is all about," said
Kyley Simmons, Associate Head Coach. Abby Wahl, on behalf of the Women's Basketball team, thanked the couple for their support of the team.
"Jerry and Marlene, you have supported many initiatives throughout the years, including the EI and U Expect Greatness Campaign, the Legacy Building Fund, the LAIR Fund, Panther Club and I know, your personal favorite, Women's Basketball, in scholarship support, and the women's locker room renovation project," said President Glassman.
For more information on how you can join the EIU Panther Club or for Panther Club events call 217-581-6014 or donate online at
EIUpanthers.com.
