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 third profile is Candace Norville from the Class of 2010. Norville won the Hopper Award for three straight years, from 2008 to 2010, while starring for three teams. In basketball, Norville was an All-MWC selection for three straight seasons. She reached the semifinals of the MWC Championships at No. 1 singles in tennis, and she did it all on the track team as a runner, hurdler, jumper, thrower and heptathlete.
Who was your female sports idol growing up?
Serena Williams
How did you get started in athletics?
On the co-ed fifth grade sports teams that were offered at my school and the local YMCA. I played basketball and softball at school and ran track and swam outside of school.
How has athletics impacted your life?
Athletics has taught me how to cooperate with my peers, respect my superiors, and have great discipline.
Have you taken anything from athletics into your career field?
As a stay at home mom, having learned to have great discipline has certainly come into effect with my family. It takes discipline to raise well-behaved children, and keep a clean house, and make meals for a growing family. Many people may not have a high respect for this job but stay at home moms do not get sick days. Every day is a new challenge that takes a constant discipline to calmly tackle.
What was your most memorable moment as a student-athlete?
Making the conference tournament twice with the women's basketball team.
Past Profiles
February 8 -
Melissa Norville
February 7 -
Hannah McGinnis
