Monica Malone Pontow,2005 - The 1979 state badminton champion, Monica Malone Pontow excelled at two sports for Western Illinois, participating in badminton from 1976-80 and volleyball from 1976-80.

Malone Pontow came to Western Illinois following a three-sport high school career, playing badminton, volleyball and tennis while becoming a National Honor Society member, and on the heels of being named the 1975-76 female athlete of the year. Following her collegiate career, she continued with competitive badminton, winning several Midwest Badminton Champion titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

After graduating from Western in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, she became a physical education teacher at a number of suburban-Chicago schools. Since 2003 she has been an adventure instructor at Camp Manitoqua, and has owned Pontow Racket Supply since 1980.