SEASIDE, Calif. — Cal State Monterey Bay Athletics is proud to announce senior Ellie Escalante (softball) and freshman Riley Walls (women's basketball) as the inaugural recipients of the Dr. Bobbi Bonace Memorial Scholarship.

The Dr. Bobbi Bonace Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of Dr. Bobbi Bonace, the founding Athletics Director and Chair of what is now the Department of Kinesiology at CSUMB. A pioneer and trailblazer for Otter Athletics, Dr. Bonace played a vital role in shaping the department's foundation and values. In 2019, she was inducted as an inaugural member of the Otter Athletics Hall of Fame.

Escalante and Walls were selected based on their academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to the principles that defined Dr. Bonace's career, including service, integrity, and advocacy for student success. Both student-athletes exemplify the standard of excellence Dr. Bonace championed throughout her time at CSUMB.

The student-athlete recipients will be formally honored during the Otters' home basketball games on Thursday, February 19, recognizing their achievements and the lasting legacy of Dr. Bonace in front of the CSUMB community.

"Dr. Bonace was a visionary leader whose impact is still felt throughout CSUMB and Otter Athletics today," said Kirby Garry, Director of Athletics. "Ellie and Riley represent the values she stood for, and we are proud to honor her legacy by supporting their continued success."

The Dr. Bobbi Bonace Memorial Scholarship was made possible through the generosity of family, friends, colleagues, and supporters who sought to ensure Dr. Bonace's influence would continue to benefit future generations of Otter student-athletes. The scholarship will be awarded annually to CSUMB students who reflect her enduring commitment to education, athletics, and opportunity.