Gillum soars beyond Kirkwood

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Kirkwood Community College is a place for students to find their wings and soar higher. Former Kirkwood women’s basketball player Staci Gillum used her experience as an Eagle to become a point guard on the University of Evansville women’s basketball team.  

After graduating high school from Waukee, Iowa, Gillum attended Kirkwood from 2008 to 2010.  As point guard, Gillum played a role in achieving the national championships the women’s team won in 2009 and 2010.

Gillum was named MVP at the regional tournament her sophomore year and was named to the all-tournament team at the national tournament, receiving All-American Honors.

She said the women’s team was close on and off the court. “I had the opportunity to play with some amazing teammates that became my best friends and I still continue to keep in close contact with today,” she said.

Despite her hectic schedule, Gillum said she enjoyed staying active while on campus.

 “My schedule was pretty full with basketball workouts and games and keeping up with my school work,” she said, “so there was limited time to participate in other activities. But I made sure to attend school events held on campus to be able to socialize and get to know other students.”

At the University of Evansville in Indiana, Gillum is studying exercise science with the hopes of eventually earning a doctorate in physical therapy from Des Moines University.

Before she started her freshman year at Kirkwood, Gillum worked as a receptionist at a physical therapy clinic in Waukee. She helped get patients ready for appointments by putting them through warm-up stretches.  “This provided me with the opportunity to gain experience in my field of interest,” she said.  

Besides leading the University of Evansville Purple Aces on the court as point guard of the women’s basketball team, Gillum said she likes to stay involved with volunteer work with organizations such as Race For the Cure. She also participates in a literacy program called Just Read, where students read to local elementary school students.

To previous and future Eagles, Gillum offered this advice. “Enjoy every second of Kirkwood because it goes fast,” she said. “Work hard but always leave yourself some time to relax and have fun, and most importantly support women’s basketball!”