Josten's Trophy Release

SALEM, Va. - Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball junior Mason Funk (Normal, Ill.-University High) was named one of 11 finalists for the prestigious Josten's Trophy as announced by the Rotary Club of Salem, Va. Thursday, March 12.

The Jostens Trophy honors - one for men's basketball and one for women's basketball - are national awards created by the Rotary Club of Salem and sponsored by Jostens, Inc., to recognize the most outstanding men's and women's Division III basketball players of the year. The awards focus on three major criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess, and service to one's surrounding communities. The Jostens Trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of a well-rounded Division III student-athlete. The 2026 season marks the 28th time the Jostens Trophy honors will be awarded.

Funk will look to become IWU's first Josten's Trophy winner since Korey Coon took the award home in 2000. He was one of two College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin student-athletes named to the 11-person list (Soren Richardson - Wheaton).

On the court, Funk has assembled an outstanding junior campaign while leading the Titans into the Sweet Sixteen for the second straight season. He is averaging 15.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest, both of which rank second on the team. The Normal, Ill. product is shooting 47.4 percent from the floor and has made 37 three-pointers. Defensively, Funk has feasted on opponents with 71 blocks and 50 steals. His 71 rejections are four off IWU's single season record and sit eighth-most across Division III. Funk became the first student-athlete in more than 15 years to lead the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin in blocks and steals in a season.

A First Team All-CCIW selection, the junior was named to the Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational All-Tournament team in November. He was tabbed the CCIW Player of the Week in February. He has led the team in scoring in 10 games, while pulling in the team lead in rebounds on nine occasions. Funk has hit double-digit points 20 times and has notched three double-doubles. He has eclipsed 20 points eight times, highlighted by two 30-point outbursts.

Academically, Funk carries a 3.95 grade point average studying biology and more specifically pre-med. An Academic All-CCIW selection, he is viewed as a leader within the science department leading study sessions. Outside of IWU, the junior has volunteered at local hospitals and with physicians throughout Bloomington-Normal.

Attending school and playing basketball in his hometown community, Funk started the Tiny Titans program this year, bringing Illinois Wesleyan students and student-athletes into local elementary schools to read to children. One of many service projects he has been involved with, Funk has also worked to support St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Special Olympics, Green Dot, the local community cancer center, and other organizations.
The Rotary Club of Salem is responsible for the initial review of the nominees, which it conducts over a two-week period. The Club's Jostens Trophy Committee objectively reviews the nominees and uses a numerical system to pare down the pools to an initial list of 22 finalists -- 11 for the men's award and 11 for the women's trophy.

The finalists will now be reviewed by the Jostens Trophy National Selection Committee. The committee is composed of men and women from across the country. The committee features current and former athletic administrators and head coaches, past Jostens Trophy recipients, and select members of the Division III media. The committee will spend the next week-plus reviewing the nominees with the aim of announcing the two winners the week following both national championship events.

Listed below are the finalists for the 2026 Jostens Trophy awards (listed alphabetically by last name):

Additional information on the award can be found at https://odaconline.com/sports/jostenstrophy