June 8, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State volleyball defensive specialist Jessie Janik was tabbed as the recipient of the inaugural Linda Herman Endowed Scholarship Thursday.
The scholarship, to be awarded annually to a Redbird volleyball student-athlete, was created in honor of former volleyball coach and interim athletics director Dr. Linda Herman last September. Rose Stadel, the widow of Joe Warner, handed over the proceeds from the 2005 Joe Warner Memorial Golf Classic to initiate funds for the endowment. The late Warner spent three decades as a prominent business and community leader in Central Illinois before his tragic death in a 2002 plane crash. He was an avid Redbird fan and supporter.
Janik, a senior, enjoyed her most successful campaign as a Redbird in 2005. She collected eight or more digs in 14 matches, and tallied double-digit dig efforts in five contests. As a public relations major, Janik received the 2005 Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award and was named to the Valley's 2005-06 Honor Roll.
Herman was one of Illinois State's most influential administrators. She was named the 1995 National Associate of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) District V Administrator of the Year, and was also the recipient of the Bloomington/Normal YWCA Women of Distinction Award for outstanding leadership and excellence in education in 1997.
Herman spent seven years as the head Redbird volleyball coach, and served four separate stints as ISU's interim athletics director. She was inducted into the Illinois State Athletics Hall of Fame last September, and in December 2003, was inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) inaugural Hall of Fame class.
Head volleyball coach Sharon Dingman values Herman's long-time support of Redbird volleyball and Illinois State women's athletics in general.
"We have a number of wonderful scholarships in our department, but I don't know that one is more fitting to any sport than what Dr. Herman's will be to volleyball," said Dingman. "She has had such an incredible impact on the Redbird athletic department over the years, and I'm very excited and honored to have her be a part of our program's history. We truly appreciate this scholarship being awarded to one of our student-athletes on an annual basis."
Janik was honored to be associated with such an award.
"Linda [Herman] represents many of the qualities that I strive to apply to my life," Janik said. "I've have learned so many important things by watching how she conducts herself over the past few years.
"I have made a strong effort to invest my life into academics, athletics and spiritually as well. I know that Dr. Herman also follows these ideals. She is an amazing woman, and I am honored and privileged to be presented with this scholarship in her name."
Dingman was also proud to introduce Janik as the inaugural recipient of the endowment.
"Jessie encompasses many of the traits that Dr. Herman does, which makes her an ideal selection for this scholarship in its first year," Dingman said. "She's an unbelievable student, a true team player, and a great leader. Jessie has been and will continue to be a big part of our success on and off the court this season."
The Linda Herman Endowment is one of ISU's partially funded scholarships. For information about supporting this, or other Illinois State University endowments for student-athletes, call The Redbird Club office at (309) 438-3803.
