St. Ambrose signs Peoria Notre Dame standout

Davenport, Iowa- St. Ambrose men’s basketball Coach Ray Shovlain is excited to announce the landing of forward Chris Donnelly for the 2008-09 basketball season. Donnelly, the son of David and Patricia Donnelly of Peoria, Illinois, chose St. Ambrose University over a host of schools that recruited him.

Donnelly, a six-foot-four-inch forward, put together a terrific senior season.  Donnelly averaged 11.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 2.7 blocks during his senior campaign. He was a 1st Team All-Conference selection in the Mid-State Six, was selected 2nd Team All-Area by the Peoria Journal Star and received special mention honors from the IBCA.

"Chris comes from a quality family with a lot of history at St. Ambrose and the community," Coach Ray Shovlain said.

Donnelly's grandfather John Donnelly graduated from St. Ambrose in 1950 and is a member of St. Ambrose's Hall of Fame for basketball. His grandmother, Mary Jane Baker, was a 1949 graduate of Marycrest. His aunt, Amy McDonald (Donnelly) graduated St. Ambrose in 1987 and played tennis for the Bees. She became a member of the Hall of Fame in 2002. Two of his cousins, Kerry Abraham and Nicholas Abraham, both played soccer for the Bees in the last five years.

"Chris is going to be an outstanding player for us in his four years here," Coach Ray Shovlain said. "He is a very versatile player that can play all five positions. We are very pleased to have a young man of his talent and ability join us at this time."

         Chris Donnelly, seated second from the left, and four other Peoria Notre Dame athletes 
         sign with St. Ambrose.