The Bobcat Nation

I know a lot of former Bobcat student-athletes check this site, so thought it would be a venue to inform them that Jill Allison, who served six years as Academic Coordinator, passed away after a courageous battle with breast cancer on Monday morning. A memorial service will be held at Grace Bible Church in Bozeman on Thursday morning at 10 a.m.

Jill was a wonderful woman who helped a lot of student athletes. She was very caring of all MSU’s athletes. Her family will be in my prayers.

Some of you may remember this Memo:

[b]December 1, 2003

To: All MSU Student-Athletes
The Greatest student-athletes in the World

From: Jill Allison

As many of you know, In 1996 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I underwent surgeries, chemotherapy and baldness. I had hoped and thought that I was cured. In January 2002 we discovered that my breast cancer had re-occurred and spread to my liver. I've been on a new treatment since then. In Septemeber 2003 we discovered that the cancer has now spread to my chest and maybe even my lung.

With these new developements in my personal life, I have decided that I should retire from MSU. In my heart of hearts, I feel that you students deserve to have an academic coordinator that isn't tired most of the time and one that can be her 5,6, or 7 days a week.

I'll still be able to attend many of the MSU events. I will continue to "SCREAM" at any MSU student-athlete, coach or administrator for not standing up for the FIGHT SONG.

I would like to thank each of you for the opportunity you have given me to be part of your life and college experience. It has truly been a honor and a pleasure to be associated with the Student-Athletes of Montana State University and MSU in general. I think that you all have a lot of potential and will be leaders throughout the world.

On the flip side of this note is my final addition of JILL BITS. Please take time to rad them. In my 50 years, I have learned a few things.

Thanks for the great memories!

JILL BITS
FINAL ADDITION
DECEMBER 2003
*GO TO CLASS!
YOU NEED TO FINISH YOUR EDUCATION AND GET YOUR DEGREE. NO ONE CAN TAKE YOUR EDUCATION AWAY FROM YOU!

*REMEBMER TO LAUGH, HUGSARE GREAT AND IT'S OKAY TO CRY.

*CALL YOUR MOM OR DAD, FAMILY & FRIENDS JUST TO SAY HELLO.

*MEMORIZE YOUR FAVORITE POEM OR BIBLE VERSE.

*THINK POSITIVELY AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

*"A PESSIMIST SEES THE DIFFICULTY IN EVERY OPPORTUNITY; AN OPTIMIST SEES THE OPPORTUNITY IN EVERY DIFFICULTY."

*EAT HEALTHY AND GET PLENTY OF REST.

*APPRECIATE AND BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE.

*"WORK LIKE YOU DON'T NEED THE MONEY, LOVE LIKE YOU'VE NEVER BEEN HURT AND DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING."

*PLEASE GO TO CLASS, STUDY HARD, GET YOUR DEGREE AND ENJOY THESE YEARS IN COLLEGE. YOU SHOULD BE HAVING THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE - LEARNING & LIVING!
I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU OUT & ABOUT![/b]


-God bless Jill & her family

Jill was a great lady who always had a smile on her face and something nice to say. She will be missed greatly by everyone who ever met her.

Jill was a wonderful woman. She did a great deal for many athletes, especially for many of us who were far from home. Jill made MSU a great place to be. She will be dearly missed, she touched many of our lives. I wish her family the best.


Jason Nicastro
MSU Class of '04