By: Starting on National Girls & Women in Sports Day on February 7 and throughout the rest of the month, we will recognize some of our past Doris B. Hopper Award winners.
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – February 7 marks the 32nd anniversary of National Girls & Women in Sports Day. In honor of that achievement, we have contacted past Doris B. Hopper Award winners and asked them to recount some of their past experiences in athletics and how playing sports has changed their lives. These profiles will run every weekday through the end of the month.
Our next profile is Addie (Ahlemeyer) Ince from the Class of 2000. Ince was the winner of the 2001 Doris B. Hopper Award after a senior season in which she was named First Team All-MWC and ranked among the conference leaders in points and assists per game.
Who was your female sports idol growing up?
Being from a small town, I grew up idolizing the older girls in high school. I saw how much passion they had for sports and wanted to be just like them when I grew up.
How did you get started in athletics?
Having older brothers, I was forced to tag along to many basketball, football, baseball, and track meets. In addition, our family enjoyed watching anything athletic related, so I guess it was just assumed I would participate. I believe I first started basketball at our local Boys and Girls club in about 3rd or 4th grade. There weren't enough girls to make a team, so I played on a team with boys.
How has athletics impacted your life?
Not sure where I would be today without athletics. In fact, I believe I got my first job teaching English at Normal Community HS because I also was willing to coach basketball and track. Throughout my life, I have met some great people through my participation in sports and learned some vital life skills: managing time, valuing teamwork, accepting constructive criticism, coping with disappointment, and being competitive.
Have you taken anything from athletics into your career field?
Anyone who knows me would say I definitely have taken my competitiveness into my career field. In my office, I always want to be the first one done with any task. On a serious note, I have definitely used my experiences of being on a team to work with my team of five other counselors. I also use many of my experiences when talking with students. I have had some great coaches over the years who provided valuable insight. I hear myself quoting them often.
What was your most memorable moment as a student-athlete?
Wow!! This is a difficult one because athletics have been such a HUGE part of my life...not easy to pick just one. However, I think being awarded the senior scholar athlete my senior year of high school was probably the most memorable. Starting at an early age, I had walked past the trophy case and stared at the girls' pictures who had won this award before. It quickly became a goal of mine, and I was very honored to receive it.
Past Profiles
February 14 -
Abbey (Suter) Wacaser
February 13 -
Adrienne (Dickerson) Range
February 12 -
Lindsay (Stauder) Howard
February 9 -
Candace (Norville) Scheuers
February 8 -
Melissa Norville
February 7 -
Hannah McGinnis
