DePaul University Athletics
10/28/2026 1:00:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO – DePaul fourth-year forward Doyinsola Lijirin has been selected as a recipient of the Kay Yow Servant Leader Award ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The honor recognizes student-athletes who exemplify the values of leadership, selflessness and service, qualities that embody Hall of Fame basketball coach Kay Yow.
Lijirin joins a select group of women's basketball student-athletes from across the country. Each recipient will wear a special patch on her game jersey, symbolizing her role as a servant leader and her connection to Coach Yow's legacy.
Since arriving in Chicago this offseason, Lijirin has made a concerted effort to build community. She has served at the Elizabeth Ann Seton Soup Kitchen on DePaul's campus and provided instruction and mentorship to young players at multiple youth clinics throughout the summer. Additionally, she collected gently used basketball shoes from her teammates and distributed them to those in need in her home state of Ondo, Nigeria, where she hosted a clinic and contributed her own funds to support the community.
"Coach Yow always put people first, and that is exactly what Doyinsola has demonstrated since she arrived in Chicago this summer," said DePaul head coach Jill M. Pizzotti. "Whether it's working with youth at clinics in Chicago or thinking of those in need in her home country, she finds ways to serve others. Doy is a fitting representative of Coach Yow's legacy and we are proud to have her be recognized as a Kay Yow Servant Leader."
Lijirin joined the Blue Demons after three seasons at Wagner, where she earned All-Northeast Conference Second Team honors in 2025-26 after averaging 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. She is pursuing a degree in communication and media arts at DePaul.
Members of the Servant Leader class are nominated by their head coaches for reflecting Coach Yow's resolve, grace, generosity and servant's heart on and off the court.
Founded on Dec. 3, 2007, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund fulfills Yow's vision to support advanced cancer research, improve quality of life for those battling the disease, serve the underserved and unite people in the fight. Learn more at kayyow.com.
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