The most improved scorer in Division I womens college basketball last year, Illinois State forward Katie Donovan inspired Redbird fans all season long as Illinois State was one of the most improved teams in the nation. Exciting the fans is a good reason for Donovans selection as the 2004 Janyth Aellig Endowed Scholarship --a scholarship named for a Redbird fan.
Donovan not only increased her scoring average from 7.4 in 2002-03 to 19.9 in 2003-04, but the physical education major had the best grades of her college career, earning membership on the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll at Illinois State. The native of Kingston, Ontario added 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists to her 19.9 points per game, No. 19 in the nation.
The Janyth Aellig Endowed Scholarship is named in honor of an avid fan of Redbird womens basketball and volleyball. Jan, and her husband, Fred, had several seasons where they attended every Redbird contest--home and away--in both sports. When Jan died suddenly in 1997, Fred and a group of more than 50 friends and family members began an endowment in her name. In 2003, Redbird athletics began recognizing the Janyth Aellig Endowed Scholarship winner with volleyball student-athlete Amber Rogers.
Redbird coach Robin Pingeton sees a clear connection between Donovan and Redbird fans.
Katie Donovan is a fan favorite, said Pingeton. People enjoy her style, her intensity. Our fans appreciate the fact that Katie personifies the things they value on the court. She is a fierce competitor with a work ethic, determination and passion few athletes can match. When I think of the growing support we are receiving from our alumni and fans, I know that Katie is the kind of player they really appreciate.
To Donovan, the fans are like family.
Our fan support is so important to our team, said Donovan. As we started to win games last year, our crowds picked up and we picked up momentum from the fans. Fan support inspires us as players. Being from Canada, I dont have a lot of family and friends at every home game, but the Redbird fans make me feel like they are my family. Its really an honor to receive a scholarship named for a fan.
The Janyth Aellig Endowed Scholarship is one of 12 endowed scholarships available to Illinois State student-athletes funded by private donors. Though not one of the six fully-funded endowed scholarships at Illinois State University, the Janyth Aellig Endowed Scholarship provides significant support.
For information about supporting this, or other Illinois State University endowments for student-athletes, call The Redbird Club office at (309) 438-3803.
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Janyth Aellig
Endowed Scholars
Illinois State University
Volleyball/Womens Basketball
2004 - Katie Donovan, basketball
2003 - Amber Rogers, volleyball
