Marian University announced two signings through the Team Impact Organization, which matches children facing life threatening and chronic illnesses with university athletic teams.
Earlier this month, the men’s tennis team signed 12-year-old Devin Hussey of Fortville, Indiana to an honorary tennis scholarship. Knights’ men’s basketball coach Carson Harris officially signed Oni Davenport, a nine-year-old from Westfield, Ind., to an honorary basketball scholarship during a ceremony on campus on April 13.
In February 2015, Oni was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Doctors successfully removed one-third of the tumor during brain surgery, but couldn’t remove the entire tumor due to its location on the optic nerve. Oni is currently undergoing chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. He loves participating in athletics and wants to remain strong physically so he can continue to play.
In 2014, the Marian University football team signed Cole Winnefeld to a scholarship Cole passed away in 2015, but proved to be the inspiration that helped guide the Knights to the 2015 NAIA national championship.
About Marian University Indianapolis
Marian University (www.marian.edu), founded in Indianapolis in 1937, is the only Catholic liberal arts university in central Indiana. It serves a student body of nearly 3,000 through dedication to excellent teaching and learning in the Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. Marian University is one of Indiana’s 31 independent colleges and one of 244 Catholic colleges and universities nationwide.
Since 2001, Marian University has been led by President Daniel J. Elsener, whose vision and leadership are transforming the university. In 2013, Marian University opened the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences, home to its College of Osteopathic Medicine. Marian University has amassed 33 national championships in cycling, captured the NAIA Football National Championship in 2012 and 2015, and won the NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship in 2016.