By Mike Pearson
FightingIllini.com

In August, the Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced a $20 million gift from the H.D. Smith Foundation, of which $3 million was to fund a degree completion program for Illini student-athletes wishing to return to campus. Former football player Kendrick Foster became the inaugural recipient of the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Family Scholars Program.

Almost 87 percent of the student-athletes who come to the University of Illinois to play football leave campus with a bachelor's degree. It's even more impressive to learn that, over the period that Lovie Smith has been head coach, more than a quarter of those graduates have gone on to pursue and earn post-graduate degrees.

In December, former Illini running back Kendrick Foster joined that esteemed group, completing courses for a Master of Science degree from the College of Applied Health Sciences.

However, among the average American student attending college, Foster is a rare exception. Thanks to the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Family Scholars Program, he will graduate without accumulating any debt.

Coach Luke Butkus presented Foster with the prestigious Capel Award at Illinois's 2017 Awards Banquet. It symbolizes UI's most courageous player.

According to 2017 statistics, about 44 million American borrowers owe nearly $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. To break those numbers into simpler terms, the average student loan payment for borrowers between the ages of 20 and 30 years old is roughly $350 per month.

That's something Foster won't have to worry about.

"Having the Smith family help me out with the scholarship is a great blessing," Foster said. "God gave me a talent for football, but being able to get an education for free is huge. To not be in debt in this day and age is rare. I've heard stories of some people paying off their student loans until they're 60 or 70."

Last August, the H.D. Smith Foundation, led by Dale and Chris Smith, donated $20 million to the University of Illinois Foundation. Three million was earmarked for creating scholarship opportunities for former student-athletes to return to campus for degree completion.

"We graduate student-athletes at such a high rate and a fast pace, we have circumstances where student-athletes finish their undergraduate degree early and begin work towards a master's degree," Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services and Student-Athlete Development Dr. Brian Russell said.

At 2017 Senior Day ceremonies, Foster posed with proud grandparents Diane and James Foster.

"Often times, they complete their eligibility prior to finishing the master's degree. The Smith Scholarship gives us the opportunity to provide financial assistance to support them to finish long after their playing days end at Illinois. It's something we're truly thankful for in terms of how unique a circumstance it is to be able to do that."

The intent of the scholarship is to help those that leave early to pursue professional opportunities prior to completing their undergrad degree.

"In our profession, we're often challenged with helping student-athletes navigate this decision where they can graduate early and start a meaningful graduate degree," Dr. Russell continued. "To have the chance to choose meaningful degree paths and to prepare professionally and intentionally for opportunities beyond sport is something that's pretty incredible, thanks to the Smith family."

Foster, who in December completed courses for his master's from the College of Applied Health Science in Recreation, Sport and Tourism, was chosen to be the very first recipient of the Smith scholarship.

As a junior in 2016, Kendrick Foster ran for a career-best 146 yards in an Illini victory over Michigan State.

"Kendrick was an ideal candidate for the first honor because he performed so well when he was an undergraduate, completing an undergraduate degree in Recreation, Sport and Tourism and then going on to start and nearly completing his master's degree prior to leaving to attempt to play professionally," Dr. Russell said. "He's somebody who did everything right academically while he was here. Kendrick put himself in a position to use resources and help build his own personal brand. It was an easy selection process to allow him the support so that he could finish."

It's been anything but a simple journey for Foster and the Peoria native credits his mother, Mindy Sullivan, for being his "rock".

"Since day one, she's been with me through thick and thin," Foster said. "She's always been my biggest supporter and is definitely someone I look up to in terms of work ethic and just enjoying life. At Illinois, she's supported me throughout … from redshirting as a freshman to losing playing time my senior year. She's been there every step of the way."

Foster also attributed the DIA's academic services staff for helping him achieve his goal.

"My experience with the academic staff was phenomenal," he said. "Miss Carla (Suber), Annie White … the whole group of academic counselors was always there to help. They helped all of us with the stress of school, showing us how to study, and the importance of time management."

Foster, who is currently attempting to fulfill his dream of playing professionally with the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football, is the first member of his family to complete courses for a master's degree.

"I'm proud of my accomplishment," Foster said. "It hasn't been easy, but it's a testament to my commitment of fulfilling my promise to my mom."

Foster says he deeply appreciates what the Smith family has done to help a fellow Fighting Illini.

"I just want to thank the Smith family so much," he said. "Not just me, but other athletes as well who are in the same situation as me who want to come back and get their degrees. They're opening the doors for others. The whole football program appreciates what they do. It just shows how strong the bond of being an Illini really is."

If a former student-athlete is interested in receiving assistance for undergraduate or postgraduate degree completion, please contact the Varsity I office at varsityi@illinois.edu.

Graduation numbers during the Lovie Smith era

• Seven football players earned degrees in Dec. 2018 and six more expected to graduate in May.
• A total of 29 football student-athletes earned degrees in 2017-18, including six that were on the 2018 roster pursuing second degrees or master's degrees. 
• Fighting Illini players have earned 110 degrees in the last three-plus years – 7 so far in 2018-19, 29 in 2017-18, 32 in 2016-17 and 42 in 2015-16.