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 Laurie Black. Black was the 1983 winner of the Doris B. Hopper Award and a 1984 graduate of Illinois College. Playing volleyball and softball, she started for the volleyball team for three seasons and for the softball team for all four seasons. She was a two-year captain for both teams and a two-time softball team MVP. Black was inducted into the IC Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.
Who was your female sports idol growing up?
Unfortunately, when I was growing up female athletes in team sports did not receive a lot of publicity. I really didn't have any female sports idols. Most of my attention was geared toward Major League Baseball and following athletes such as Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell. Once I came to IC, I admired the athletic talent and accomplishments of my teammate Bonnie Kellerman Gill. She was an exceptional multi-sport student-athlete and person.
How did you get started in athletics?
For as long as I can remember, I have always played and followed sports. I was encouraged by my parents, teachers and coaches growing up to follow my love of sports even though girls teams were just getting started. I was the first girl to play Little League baseball in Bloomington-Normal and I felt supported by many to reach that level of participation.
How has athletics impacted your life?
My interest in athletics has led me down a rewarding career path (newspaper sportswriter/photographer; assistant sports information director; and NCAA athletic eligibility coordinator) as well as emphasizing the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle.
Have you taken anything from athletics into your career field?
Athletics has taught me leadership, respect, discipline, study/preparedness, sportsmanship and teamwork -- values and characteristics that I use every day in my workplace.
What was your most memorable moment as a student-athlete?
Every opportunity I had to put on the catcher's gear for a game was a favorite moment. To this day, I miss catching fastpitch softball. Also, breaking up a St. Xavier no-hitter with a late-inning single to right field in a AIAW state playoff softball game is a memorable moment.
Past Profiles
February 26 –
Mary Camerer
February 23 –
Kimber (Houston) Deming
February 22 –
Jennifer (Aggertt) Dugan
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
