New Doan scholarship

By Lawrence Bailey

One of the most beloved and decorated Dinos of all time had yet another day in the sun–and this one has some serious longevity. Leighann Doan, the pillar of the Dinos womens basketball program from1997-2001, has been immortalized as a generous new scholarship bears her name.


The Leighann Doan Scholarship will be granted contingent on academic excellence (an 80 per cent matriculation average or equivalent GPA) and a spot on the Dinos womens basketball roster. There doesn’t seem to be a more fitting tribute to the five-time Royal Bank Academic All Canadian.


Doan was a stand out throughout her career, nearly averaging a double-double over her five years in red and gold (20.8 points-per-game and 9.3 rebounds-per-game).


Flanked by her brother Shane (of the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes) for the announcement of the scholarship, Doan was as humble and graceful as ever. However, there were many on hand ready to sing her praises.


"In my tenure here, Leighann put Dinos womens basketball on the map," beamed Head Coach Shawne Harle. "She excelled on and off the court and the mark she left as a player and person needs no further explanation. She is one of those special players that come along maybe once in a coach’s career and it is fitting to name this important award after her."


Great praise for a great player, and a great person.