NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University has received a major gift contribution from Pat Johnson, widow of Dr. Jim Johnson, a Stretch Miller Award recipient and emeritus professor of Psychology, to fund Redbird Softball technology improvements and offset costs associated with summer school for softball student-athletes.
A longtime volunteer in the Karin Bone Athletics Study Center, Dr. Jim Johnson was a decorated professor and dedicated countless hours to mentoring student-athletes. The Dr. Jim Johnson Phoenix Award is given annually to recognize a student-athlete who has overcome academic challenges and made consistent academic progress during their time at Illinois State.