09/17/2026
Meet Illini legend Jean Driscoll, who, before becoming a leader in ’ College of Applied Health Sciences, was an eight-time Boston Marathon champion, a Paralympic gold medalist, and a trailblazer who helped define what’s possible for wheelchair athletes.
When Driscoll arrived on campus in 1987 as a shy transfer student from Milwaukee, she had no idea where her Illini journey would take her. With encouragement from her coaches, she became a two-time national champion in women’s wheelchair basketball before taking on her first marathon — a decision that launched one of the most remarkable careers in wheelchair racing.
Driscoll went on to win the Boston Marathon women’s wheelchair division eight times; set course records and world-best times; earn two Olympic silver medals and 12 Paralympic medals, five of them gold; and be inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame. She was also named one of Sports Illustrated for Women’s Top 100 Female Athletes of the 20th Century and a Lincoln Laureate and received three honorary doctorate degrees.
Following her athletic career, Driscoll took a fundraising position in the College of ACES. After 20 years, she recently retired as assistant dean for advancement — a role she held since 2020 — to become a fundraiser for the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
From champion athlete to university leader, Driscoll’s story is one of hard work, perseverance, and the power of people who believe in you. 🔶🔷
