2011 Pat Aikman Scholarship Award Winners

Huntington, Whitko students win Aikman awards

Bradburn, Kessie are inaugural recipients of new IBCA scholarship

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact: Pat McKee, 317-403-1665

April 21, 2011                                                                IBCA Coordinator of Special Projects

     Kyle Bradburn of Huntington North and Rachelle Kessie of Whitko have been named winners of the inaugural Pat Aikman Scholarships by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

    The IBCA Board of Directors voted in 2010 to establish a scholarship in honor of Aikman, the former longtime Indiana All-Star Games Director who later served as Coordinator of Special Projects for the IBCA.

    Criteria to be considered include achievements and contributions in basketball, scholastic achievement, extra-curricular activities, and service to school and community. Also, those considered for this scholarship are to be students who plan to enter the fields of journalism, sports management, athletic training or physical therapy. Each winner will receive a $750 award.

    Bradburn, son of Joe and Dena Bradburn, carries a 3.73 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and ranks 44th in a class of 450 at Huntington North. He plans to attend Manchester College, Butler University or Purdue University where he will study physical therapy or athletic training.

    As a senior, Bradburn averaged 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 44 percent from 3-point range for the 14-9 Vikings. He was selected first-team all-North Central Conference, honorable mention IBCA Senior All-State and IBCA first-team Academic All-State.

    In addition, he was chosen to National Honor Society and active in programs such as The Giving Tree, Christmas "Adopt A Family" and Special Olympics. He also participated in a mission trip to Lithuania for Athletes In Action.

    Kessie, the daughter of Kim Kessie, ranks 27th in her class of 130 at Whitko. She plans to major in physical therapy at a college that she has yet to determine.

    On the court, Kessie was named second-team all-Three Rivers Conference after averaging 8.0 points and a league-leading 7.9 rebounds as a senior for a 9-11 squad. For her career, she finished among the school's all-time leaders in rebounds, blocked shots and field goal accuracy. She also holds the school record for season field goal accuracy for 2009-10.

    Kessie has been active in multiple organizations, including 4-H, FFA, Students Against Drunk Driving, National Honor Society, Sunshine Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also has served her community by volunteering with Habitat For Humanity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Riley Children's Hospital Drive.

    Bradburn and Kessie will receive their awards during a recognition ceremony at the IBCA Spring Clinic on April 29 at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis.