Hall of Fame
Danna Gilbert was a two-sport star during her playing days at McKendree, excelling in both basketball and softball for the Bearcats. She was an integral part of both programs as each climbed to conference and national prominence during her playing days.
In the basketball arena, Danna showed her talents while playing in the backcourt for the Bearcats. Twice she grabbed All-Conference honors in her four seasons with the program, including first-team accolades as a senior in 1999-2000. A long-range shooter, Danna is second on the career- list for three-point field goals attempted (596) and is tied for ninth in three-point field goals made (99). Danna also ranks 10th on Bearcats' all-time list with 285 assists. In addition, she is ninth in career steals with 167.
Danna played a big role in guiding McKendree to a pair of American Midwest Conference Tournament championships in 1997-98 and 1998-99. In turn, those titles enabled the Bearcats to qualify for their first two appearances at the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship.
On the softball field, Danna was equally as talented. A four-year starter in the outfield for the Bearcats, Danna had a career batting average of .395, which is the highest of any player ever to wear a McKendree uniform. She also holds the program record for the highest on-base percentage at .439. Known for her speed, Danna swiped 47 bases and collected 10 triples thorughout her career, and both totals are good for second all-time at McKendree. Also at the time of her induction, Danna still ranks among the Bearcats' top 10 in career hits (200), sacrifice hits (24), runs scored (98), total bases (236), slugging percentage (.466) and games started (156).
In addition to her lofty career numbers on the softball diamond, Danna has two of the top five single-season batting averages in McKendree history. She batted .417 as a junior in 1999 and followed that with a .405 average during her senior season in 2000. In each of her four seasons with the Bearcats, Danna earned All-Conference recognition.
In 1998 and 1999, Danna helped lead McKendree to appearnces at the NAIA Softball National Championship. The 1999 Bearcats' softball squad earned a fifth-place finish at the national tournament.
Danna also made her mark in the classroom at McKendree. She was a four-time Academic All-Conference honoree in both sports.
