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 Jennifer (Aggertt) Dugan. Dugan was the 1993 winner of the Doris B. Hopper Award and a 1992 graduate of Illinois College. She was twice named to the All-MWC volleyball team during her time with the Lady Blues and holds the program's single-season record for blocks with 362 in the 1991 season.
Who was your female sports idol growing up?
Mary Lou Retton
How did you get started in athletics?
Started in gymnastics at a young age.
How has athletics impacted your life?
I think the lessons you learn on hard work, teamwork, time management, leadership and following the lead of others all prepare you for life after being an athlete. Our family is very involved with sports on the coaching and athlete side. The relationships built and life lessons learned for all of us have made us a very close family, that I am thankful for!
Have you taken anything from athletics into your career field?
I have always believed that the best teams and athletes work on and do all of the little things right, they love what they do, and they understand that they are a part of something bigger. I have been a mom, a coach, and a classroom assistant and have tried to bring these things to each of these. I love what I do and hope to help others find their love and be successful.
What was your most memorable moment as a student-athlete?
Winning the MWC volleyball conference championship and of course the van rides to all the games!
Past Profiles
February 21 -
Shay (Bagent) McReynolds
February 20 –
Joana Ramsey
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
