Former Redbird volleyball star Laura (Doornbos) Benton ’06 soared above the net at Redbird Arena (now CEFCU Arena) as an outside hitter from 2002-05.
Appears InToday she continues to take flight as president of Ladies Love Taildraggers, a worldwide organization of women who fly conventional landing gear aircraft known as taildraggers. The group offers scholarships for women seeking an endorsement necessary to fly a taildragger, which has two main wheels near the front and a small wheel in the back to support the tail.
“I love flying, as it provides a sense of freedom, opportunity to learn, and often leads to many adventures,” Benton said. “I also think it’s important to build relationships with other women who share the same love and enthusiasm for aviation.”
Originally from Bloomington, Benton lives in Colfax and works as an enterprise technology analyst for State Farm. The mother of four earned her pilot certificate seven years ago and frequently pilots the 1948 Cessna 170 that her parents purchased in 1983. Benton took her first flight in the same plane, as a passenger, when she was just 10 days old.
Benton remains connected to her alma mater, and Redbird fans can occasionally hear her as an analyst during Illinois State volleyball broadcasts.
