Nov. 20, 2009

NORMAL, Ill. - Former Illinois State point guard Richard Thomas will be in attendance Saturday at Redbird Arena to witness the ISU-North Florida game with his family as the first Redbird Ambassador of the 2009-10 season, a new program instituted by the ISU Athletics Department.

Thomas, a four-year starter for the Redbirds from 1990-93, will be available for autographs and photographs 30 minutes prior to tip-off on the east concourse of Redbird Arena. During the game, like all future Redbird Ambassadors, Thomas will be honored on Doug Collins Court during a media timeout.

"Illinois State University obviously has a rich basketball history and tradition," Illinois State Director of Athletics Dr. Sheahon Zenger said. "We are hopeful that a program like this will connect the generations of Redbird men's basketball student-athletes, while also providing multiple memories and new experiences for all of our fans and alumni."

A product of Chicago's Whitney Young High School, Thomas finished his Illinois State career with 1,170 career points. He was a key contributor on the 1990 NCAA Tournament team, during his freshman season. Thomas still ranks No. 2 in school history with 174 career steals. The two-time selection to the Valley All-Defensive Team also ranks No. 8 in career assists (376) and No. 8 in career three-pointers (149). He earned second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 1993.

ISU Athletics is looking to have a Redbird Ambassador available at every home game this season. If any former players are interested in coming back to campus, please call ISU Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations Todd Kober at (309) 438-3805.

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