PURPOSE

The Gilreath Achievement Award is to recognize outstanding student-athletes in the Midwest Trailblazers Youth Program.   The award, which was established by Ivan Gilreath, pays tribute to the energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to education that Ivan pursues throughout his life.  

AWARD:

A free trip to Minneapolis for a Timberwolves game.   Participants get to rebound for the opposing team during warm-ups, then watch the game!

IVAN GILREATH

Ivan Gilreath is the President of Employee Benefits at ING Group.   He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Nebraska in 1982, where he was part of the Varsity Basketball Team.   In 1989, he received his Masters of Business Administration in Management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.   In 1999, he was awarded the "Living the Dream" award from the city of Omaha and in 2002 was awarded as the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Distinguished Alumni.

In the past, Mr. Gilreath has been a member of the Urban League of Nebraska Board, Omaha Chamber of Commerce 21st Century Steering Committee and Butler-Gast YMCA Board.   He also served as Chairperson of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Board and was a member of the YMCA Black Achievers and Urban League Black Executive Exchange Program.   In addition, he founded the Midwest Trailblazers Youth Program, a mentoring and basketball organization that is still in existence today providing opportunities for young men and women.

Today, Mr. Gilreath is still actively involved in several community service organizations serving on the University of Nebraska, Medical Center Board of Counselors and the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Business National Advisory Board, and is a mentor at Kellom Elementary School.   Mr. Gilreath is happily married to his wife, Rita and has two children, Jerome and Mia.

QUALIFICATIONS

·          Must have participated in the Trailblazers program for two years.

·          Must have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

APPLICATION & SELECTION CRITERIA

q   Application form

q   Coaches’ Nomination Form

q   Teacher, Administrator, or Community Leader’s Nomination Form

q   Student’s personal letter

q   Academic achievement/current academic transcript

q   Extra-curricular activities at school and/or the community