ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – A former Lewis student-athlete and longtime leader on campus, Jill Siegfried has made a lasting impact on the Flyers through her success as head women's tennis coach, decades of service to the university and has now been named the 10th Brother Raymond McManaman Lasallian of the Year.
The Brother Raymond McManaman Lasallian of the Year was established in 2016 to honor members of the Lewis community who have unwavering support for athletics and embody the Lasallian values of faith in the presence of God, concern for the poor and social justice, respect for all persons, quality education, and inclusive community.The award was named after Brother Raymond, a devoted Christian Brother who provided valuable and dedicated leadership and service to Lewis University for over 45 years. He was one of the original seven Christian Brothers to arrive at Lewis in 1960 and served the University in various capacities, most notably as an outstanding professor in the Theology Department.
A Lewis graduate herself , Siegfried competed for the Flyers' women's tennis program for four years, playing No. 1 and No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles while serving as team captain. Away from the tennis court, Siegfried served as the athletic trainer for the women's volleyball team under Hall of Fame head coach Karen Lockyer.
(Siegfried as a Student-Athlete)
She later returned to lead her alma mater as head coach of the Lewis tennis programs, guiding the Flyers to more than 70 overall victories and more than 40 wins against Great Lakes Valley Conference opponents. Siegfried led Lewis to multiple successful seasons, including consecutive second-place finishes at the GLVC Championship in 2002-03 and 2003-04. The 2003-04 squad also earned a second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II Championship tournament. For her teams efforts on the court, Siegfried was also named the GLVC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year in 2003.
Beyond her work on the court, Siegfried has built a long career in campus recreation and student engagement. She serves as Lewis' Director of Student Recreation, Fitness and Wellness, a position she will have held for 31 years in March 2027. In her time at Lewis, she helped oversee the opening of the Student Recreation and Fitness Center along with the continued growth of athletic programs offered to students and the surrounding community. Under Siegfried, Lewis has added over 25 club sports teams including ice hockey and volleyball. She also aided in the opening of many other Lewis areas for students including the Powerhouse Gym, E-Sports Lounge and Lewis Archery Range.
(Siegfried at the Opening of the Student Recreation and Fitness Center)
She has also impacted the Lewis community as a whole as Siegfried developed the Lewis Community Hour and has mentored and taught numerous students as a longtime professor in the sports management program. This is not the first major award Siegfried has earned at Lewis as she earned the De La Salle Medallion for Exemplary Volunteer Service in 2017 which honors a staff member who performs outstanding volunteer service at Lewis University or in his or her community. Siegfried collected the honor thanks to her work with USA Camp Fire, a nationwide organization that offers after-school enrichment, summer camps, environmental education, teen leadership programs, and community service initiatives.
Siegfried also has gotten to share many family moments at Lewis as she was able to hood her daughter Lauren at her Commencement.
(Siegfried with her daughter, Lauren)
Siegfried earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and athletics, with a specialization in athletic training, from Lewis in 1985. She went on to earn a master's degree in physical education, specializing in sport and athletic administration, from the University of Illinois Chicago in 1987, followed by a master's degree in management and organizational behavior, specializing in health care administration, from Illinois Benedictine College in 1995.
Siegfried and her spouse, Jeff, have two children, Zach and Lauren, and two children-in-law, Becca and Grant.
PAST WINNERS
2027 - Jill Siegfried
2026 - Chuck Crowder
2025 - Janeen Decharinte
2024 - Pietro Tonino, Md.
2023 - Dr. Ralph Miller
2022 - Larry Wiers
2019 - Neil Carey
2018 - Wayne Draudt
2017 - Paul Ruddy
2016 - Raymond McManaman, FSC
The annual Flyer Red Dinner is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2027, on campus at the Flight Deck in St. Charles Borromeo Hall. The dinner serves as a fundraising event to benefit Lewis Athletics while also recognizing the 2027 Lewis Athletics Hall of Fame class.
To register for the event, use the link at the top of the article. For more information about the event, please reach out to Krysten McGee (kmcgee2@lewisu.edu).
ATHLETICS ANNUAL FUNDS CAMPAIGN
At Lewis University, athletics is about more than the final score. It is about developing the whole person, building a community rooted in faith and service, and preparing student-athletes to make a difference beyond the playing field. Your support of the Athletics Annual Funds Campaign helps our student-athletes grow in and embody Lewis' Catholic and Lasallian mission by providing them with opportunities to develop as competitors, scholars, leaders and people of character. Together, we can continue to build a program that reflects the values of Lewis University and empowers Flyers to excel in competition, in the classroom and in life. To donate, CLICK HERE.
For the latest news and updates on Lewis athletics, visit LewisFlyers.com and follow the Flyers on social media at @golewisflyers on Instagram and @LewisFlyers on X.
