June 12, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State junior middle blocker Hailey Kelley received the 2009 Dr. Linda Herman Endowed Scholarship Friday. Kelley is the fourth recipient of the scholarship named in honor of the former Redbird volleyball coach and administrator.
The scholarship, which is awarded annually to a Redbird volleyball student-athlete, was created in honor of former volleyball coach and interim athletics director Dr. Linda Herman in September 2005. 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.
"It's been rewarding to work with Hailey during my time at Illinois State," Myers said. "She is intelligent, committed and understands the importance of every member of the team. She is highly-motivated and continues to evolve as a student, player and teammate. Hailey's a solid student and very involved in our campus community in several organizations. She represents this scholarship well and is deserving of this honor."
Kelley appeared in 25 matches last season and recorded 109 kills, 56 blocks and 144.0 points. She was second on the team in block solos (12) and third in block assists (44). Kelley had a career-high 10 kills and 10.5 points against Oakland in the Redbird Classic and tied her career high with two solo blocks three times.
"I am very honored to be this year's recipient of the award," Kelley said. "Linda Herman had such a great impact on Redbird Volleyball and it's a privilege to be associated with this award and this program."
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 in September 2005, and in December 2003, was inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) inaugural Hall of Fame class.
The Herman Endowed Scholarship is one of 23 endowed scholarships available to Illinois State student-athletes that are funded by private donors.
For more information about supporting this, or any other Illinois State University endowment scholarships, call The Redbird Club office at (309) 438-3803.
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