DECATUR, Ill. – celebrated two of its most accomplished student-athletes during a special ceremony recognizing the recipients of the 2025 Lindsay Medallion: and Bradyn Olmstead ’24, MBA ’25.
The ceremony, held on Saturday, Nov. 1, in the University Commons, was hosted by Lori Kerans, Class of 1985, and 鶹Լ’s Vice President for Athletics and Community Engagement. The event honored both graduates for their exceptional achievements in athletics, academics and leadership, joining a select group of just 49 previous Lindsay Medallion honorees since the award’s founding in 1997.
“The Lindsay Medallion is awarded each year to exceptional student-athletes — not only for their outstanding performance in competition, but also for the positive impact they have made on Big Blue Athletics,” said 鶹Լ President Dr. Dean Pribbenow. “Kailee and Bradyn represent the very best of what it means to be a 鶹Լ student-athlete — leaders who excel in their sports, in their studies, and in their communities.”
The Lindsay Medallion was established in honor of the late F. Merrill Lindsay, Trustee Emeritus, and his wife, Margery “Sis” Lindsay, whose transformative gifts helped shape 鶹Լ’s athletic facilities. Their support included a $1 million donation for renovations to Frank M. Lindsay Field and an additional $800,000 gift for the construction of the press box that bears their name.
This year’s medallions were presented by their daughter, Lucy Lindsay Smith ’67, Trustee Emerita, and her husband, Bob Smith ’62.
A 2025 Big Blue graduate majoring in Elementary Education, Kailee Itzenhuiser was a standout leader for 鶹Լ Volleyball, serving as captain for three years. Her athletic accomplishments include being a three-time CCIW First Team All-Conference honoree, an AVCA First Team All-Region selection, and an All-American Honorable Mention. She also earned recognition as a two-time Jack Swartz Award winner and four-time CSC Academic All-District selection.
Her impressive statistics include 1,336 kills, 232 service aces, 1,720 digs, and 108 blocks across her collegiate career. Kailee was also named both Female Athlete of the Year and Female Academic Athlete of the Year at the 2025 Milli Awards.
Now teaching fifth grade in Hinsdale, Ill., Kailee continues to impact the sport as a volleyball coach and as Chicago Sand Volleyball Director, organizing tournaments and mentoring young athletes. She also competes at a semi-professional level with 630 Breeze in the Volleyball League of America.
Bradyn Olmstead, Class of 2024, earned his undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science and completed his MBA in 2025. A captain of both 鶹Լ’s Men’s Cross Country and Men’s Track & Field teams, Bradyn was an 18-time All-Conference and eight-time Academic All-Conference honoree. He qualified for nationals three times in Cross Country, earning All-Region and Academic All-Region honors each year.
Olmstead set multiple school records during his collegiate career, including the 8K Cross Country, 3K Indoor and Outdoor, 5K Indoor and Outdoor, and 10K Outdoor events.
Now serving as Head Cross Country Coach at St. Teresa High School in Decatur, Bradyn continues to inspire the next generation of runners. He also operates Boundless Data Consulting and remains active as a competitive marathoner, with aspirations to qualify for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Pribbenow concluded the ceremony by commending both honorees for their enduring impact on 鶹Լ Athletics.
“Kailee and Bradyn join an elite and distinguished group of Lindsay Medallion recipients,” he said. “Their dedication, talent, and character have left a lasting mark on Big Blue Athletics — and they make us incredibly proud.”
Both recipients were also recognized later that afternoon during halftime of 鶹Լ Football’s “Real Men Wear Pink” game at Frank M. Lindsay Field.
“We’re so proud of these two outstanding alumni,” Kerans said in closing. “They embody the spirit of Big Blue — excellence, leadership, and heart.”
