Established in 2021, the Eric and Maria Boerngen Softball Service Endowment was created to support an Illinois State University softball player who shares the team’s commitment and passion for community service. Recipient Chloe Jefferson shared her gratitude for the Boerngens’ support and expressed how this award has confirmed her love of both athletics and education.
Through her involvement with Illinois State’s softball team, Jefferson has had the opportunity to support causes that are important to her life both personally and professionally. Jefferson recounts playing against her longtime best friend Morgan during the season’s “Play for a Cause” game. Their high school classmate Steven, who has cerebral palsy, threw out the game’s first pitch, which had an impact on Jefferson.
“This game was a reminder that there is much more to softball than just playing the game,” she said. “Seeing him throw out that first pitch was another reminder of why I want to become an occupational therapist.”
Jefferson regularly demonstrates a clear passion to help and support others. Jefferson also appreciates the work that the softball team has done to help the community.
“My teammates and I welcomed elementary students back to school, sold football programs, participated in Operation Christmas Child and Team Impact,” she said. “We also were able to go to an elementary school in Tampa, Florida, and do arts and crafts and hear students’ stories. I was also a pen pal with an elementary school student for the year.”
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Illinois State, Jefferson hopes to attend graduate school to become a pediatric occupational therapist.
“I can’t thank Eric and Maria enough for honoring me with this scholarship,” she said of the Boerngens. “They have shown endless support for the Redbird Softball program, and it means more than they will ever know to the team.”
