Established to recognize and award scholarships to eligible high school seniors who participated in this past year’s tournament, a selection committee of current and former educators chose the winners based on their leadership skills and academic performance. Applicants were also asked to demonstrate their experiences in student activities and community service, and were required to submit an essay titled “How my high school sports experience helped prepare me for success in higher education.”

The 2010 Holiday Classic Scholarship recipients are:

• Kevin Bischoff, Normal Community High School
• Rachael Graham, St. Joseph-Ogden High School
• Erin McGinnis, Normal West High School
• Andrew Sipes, Grayslake Central High School

Application forms for the 2010-11 Scholarship will be available on this site after Jan. 1, 2011.

All eligible applicants must:

• have participated in the 2010 State Farm Holiday Classic
• be a graduating senior this spring
• maintain a grade point average of 2.75 or above on a 4.0 scale
• be admitted to and plan to attend a 2- or 4-year college

Applications must be submitted and postmarked by March 31, 2011, and include the following:

• Brief essay (200-500 words) entitled “How my high school sports experience helped prepare me for success in higher education.”
• Two (2) letters of recommendation from those who have worked with you in student activities or community service programs, like a coach, principal, guidance counselor, etc.
• Copy of your accumulative transcripts including the most recent completed semester.
• Proof (note on school letterhead) from basketball coach that you have been or will be awarded a varsity letter in basketball.

Completed applications (use the link above or below to download the print the application) should be sent to:

Scholarship Application
Classic Tournament, Inc.
P.O. Box 1887
Bloomington, IL 61702

Previous Holiday Classic Scholarship recipients:

• Taylor Baucom – Camp Point Central (2006)
• Jordan Christensen – Sherrard (2006)
• Cherelle Gay – Bloomington (2006)
• Matt Pelton – Bloomington Central Catholic (2006)
• Patrick Doggett – CPCI (2007)
• Jack Hainline – Stanford Olympia (2007)
• Kimmy White – Olney East Richland (2007)
• Brandi Branka – Kankakee Bishop Mac (2008)
• Andrew Etheridge – Normal Community (2008)
• Kati Hinshaw – Normal West (2008)
• Randall Koehler – Roanoke-Benson (2008)
• Samantha Reich – Park Ridge Maine South (2008)
• Kristen Baldwin – Normal Community (2009)
• Luke Harbers – Normal U-High (2009)
• Cora Jeffers – Williamsville (2009)
• Ross Munsterman – CPCI (2009)
• Kevin Bischoff – Normal Community (2010)
• Rachael Graham – St. Joseph-Ogden (2010)
• Erin McGinnis – Normal West (2010)
• Andrew Sipes – Grayslake Central (2010)

The silent auction will take place at the Shirk Center and at the Normal Community High School Monday through Thursday (12/27 – 12/30).  On Thursday (12/30), bidding will only be held at the Shirk Center.

2010 Silent Auction Guidelines

• All Silent Auction proceeds will be used to fund the Holiday Classic Tournament scholarship fund.
• Minimum bids are indicated on the photo sheets for each auction item. 
• Bids should be made in $5 increments.
• Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted.
• Bidding will close at a time TBD on Thursday, December 30th.  
• Winners will be contacted by phone or email on Monday, January 3rd. 
• Items will be available for pick up or will be mailed immediately after the winners are contacted.
• A portion of the winners’ donations are tax deductible over the fair-market value of the item.

Here is an early look at items to be auctioned off this year:

• Autographed jersey by New Orleans Pro-Bowl QB and SuperBowl MVP Drew Brees
• Autographed book – Dick Vitale’s Fabulous 50 Players and Moments in College Basketball – signed by Mr. Vitale
• Autographed State Farm College Game Day basketball by Illini head basketball coach Bruce Weber and ESPN Game Day hosts Jay Bilas and Reece Davis
• Autographed baseballs by Chicago Cubs legends Fergie Jenkins and Ron Santo
• Autographed State Farm Classic pin flag by LPGA stars Laura Davies, Natalie Gulbis, Julie Inkster, Christie Kerr, Christina Kim, I. K. Kim, Brittany Lincicome, Stephanie Louden, Morgan Pressel, Angela Stanford and Michelle Wie.
• Four (4) VIP passes to the 2011 State Farm Holiday Classic

For a complete list of items, check back to this page frequently as the tournament draws near.

Established to recognize and award scholarships to eligible high school seniors who participated in this past year’s tournament, a selection committee of former educators chose the winners based on their leadership skills and academic performance. Applicants were also asked to demonstrate their experiences in student activities and community service, and required to submit an essay titled “How my high school sports experience helped prepare me for success in higher education.”

The 2009 Holiday Classic Scholarship awards go to (in alphabetical order):

• Kristen Baldwin, Normal Community High School – Kristen is a four-year basketball and softball player garnering Big 12 Conference and IHSA Scholar Athlete awards in both sports. She was on the National Honor Society two years, nominated as an Illinois State Scholar, and has volunteered at BroMenn Hospital in Normal and for the Bloomington-Normal Girls Softball Association. She will attend the University of Texas in the fall.

• Luke Harbers, Normal University High School – Luke is a three-year letter winner in both basketball and football, earning team MVP honors in both sports. He participated on the Student Senate for three years, was senior class vice-president, and volunteers for Special Olympics and the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run. He plans to major in Biology at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL next school year.

• Cora Jeffers, Williamsville High School – Cora has participated in both basketball and softball all 4 years of high school, earning numerous all-conference honors in both sports. She is vice-president for her senior class and National Honor Society, and is active in the choir, band and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She currently ranks second in her class and will attend Millikin University and major in Vocal Music Education.

• Ross Munsterman, Crescent-Iroquois High School – Ross is a four-sport athlete, competing in basketball, golf, soccer and baseball. He has perfect attendance throughout his high school career and never missed a basketball practice. The Valedictorian of his class also participates in band, SADD, the Drama Club, 4-H and was the lead in the school’s fall play. Ross will attend Illinois Wesleyan University in the fall.

“We have honored many fine student-athletes in the past four years, and this year’s group of recipients is no exception,” said tournament vice-president Dave Oloffson. “This may have been the hardest year yet for our selection committee, but these four student-athletes stood above the rest based on their involvement in school and their communities.”

For more information about the State Farm Holiday Classic, visit the official tournament Web site at www.theclassic.org.