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 Joana Ramsey. Ramsey was a 1998 graduate of Illinois College and the 1997 winner of the Doris B. Hopper Award. A three-time All-Midwest Conference setter for the volleyball team, Ramsey graduated as the program's all-time leader in assists and aces (she is now second and fourth in those two categories). The Lady Blues won MWC titles in three of her four years on the team. Next month, Ramsey will be inducted into the Illinois College Sports Hall of Fame.
Who was your female sports idol growing up?
Mary Lou Retton
How did you get started in athletics?
My sister played volleyball and my dad built a volleyball system for our outdoor court.
How has athletics impacted your life?
I was a very shy child and my parents were concerned about my social growth and skill. They told me I had to choose a sport to play. Athletics has positively impacted my life in so many ways.
Have you taken anything from athletics into your career field?
Yes, plenty from time management, goals/objective setting, managing/dealing with people from diverse backgrounds, communication, teamwork, leadership, and other transferable skills.
What was your most memorable moment as a student-athlete?
Making history by being on the first sport team (men or women) in the school's history to make the NCAA National Tournament. What an exciting time and so much fun!
Past Profiles
February 19 –
Mandy (Stewart) Livesay
February 16 -
Martha (Vest) Blakeley
February 15 -
Addie (Ahlemeyer) Ince
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
