Alumna Renee Lois honored at Volleyball Dinner

February 10, 2023
Alumna Renee Lois with Coaches Luke Ward and Kennedy Mang, holding her #7 jersey. TIU Volleyball presents its first alumna honoree, Renee (Burns) Lois, this year at the 2023 Match Point Dinner. The event, hosted in honor of the TIU Women's Volleyball 2022 National Championship win, welcomed back former player Renee (Burns) Lois (Sports Wellness & Management ‘01) to highlight and honor her Trinity legacy. Not only did Renee become the first volleyball player to be added to the Ring of Honor, but her jersey, number 7, was retired and gifted to her during the celebration. LED TO TRINITY AND TO CHRIST Renee began her college athletic career playing D1 volleyball at the Ohio State University. After an injury set her back, she joined a recreation softball league. It was during one of these summer softball games that she met then TIU Football Coach Leslie Frasier, who encouraged her to come and try out at Trinity. She didn’t think much of it at the time, but the offer stuck in her mind, and looking back she believes that “there is no way that I would have ever ended up getting to TIU if God had not placed Leslie Frasier in that particular instance in my life.” Renee’s story at Trinity began in the late 90s, when she transferred in as both a volleyball and softball player. Beforehand, Trinity hadn’t even been on her list of possible colleges, as she was unsure about having a relationship with Jesus Christ, but she decided to give the school a try. While she made the initial decision because of her interest in continuing in her sports, it ended up that “I met some amazing people, experienced the amazing culture, and started to develop relationships that I would never have imagined. During that one year that I took off, I came to know Christ.” As she grew in her thankfulness to God in leading her to Trinity, she became a vital member of the team and made great strides in her sport, being named CCAC All-Conference in 1999. “I came to Trinity as a secular athlete who had no idea what it was like to have an active relationship with God. Being the first to graduate college in my family, I left TIU a God fearing Christian who developed friendships and accountability that would last a lifetime.” INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION Twenty years later, Renee is still actively connected to Trinity as an alumni, fondly remembering her alma mater. In fact, her family has been so blessed by the school, that her own daughter Lanie has eagerly decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Lanie will be joining the class of 2027 after graduating from Indian Trail High School in Wisconsin. She will be a middle blocker on the TIU volleyball team which just won the National Championship. “I couldn’t be more thrilled that my daughter Lanie has committed to play for and attend TIU in the fall with this amazing team!” Renee said in her acceptance speech. For her contribution to the team and her long-time commitment to the school, Renee Lois was an easy candidate for the Ring of Honor. She stands as an inspiration to TIU volleyball and the school as a whole.

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