A soccer player for Alabama State University from 2008-2011,
Jasmine Wilson wasn't born with a ball in her hand, but instead it was in her heart.
And while her sport of choice as an athlete was soccer while enjoying all sports as far back as she can remember, Wilson now sees a new game from a new angle.
Currently participating in an internship with the Atlanta Dream of the WNBA, the New Orleans native is a part of the team's game-day operation crew. According to Jasmine, being on the administrative side of game day has definitely given her a better appreciation of what it takes to make successful events.
"Our department is in charge of what fans see in the concourse, the half-time performance, pre-game activities, entertainment during timeouts, etc.," she said. "A lot goes into game day, from music to give-a-ways and making sure everything runs smoothly. It's a wonderful feeling.
"Sports have always been a passion of mine. I'm a certified soccer referee, so I'm still connected to my soccer roots," she continued. "Being on this side of game day makes me appreciate what it took to do operations during my athletic days a lot more. As athletes all we have to do is show up and play ball. Athletes don't always realize how much work goes into each game to pull it off."
Growing up in the Big Easy, Wilson and her family were like so many - displaced following Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. However, unlike most, Wilson grew up as a "military brat" therefore a new city, a new school and a change of scenery was anything but new. The one thing Katrina did alter, Wilson said, was where she would attend college.
"Growing up I always knew I wanted to attend a HBCU,” Wilson said. “It was always a competition between Southern and Grambling since I was from New Orleans. My dad went to Southern, so I thought I was going to be a Jaguar until moving to Atlanta," Wilson said. "I began researching HBCU's not too far from my family that also had a soccer program. The SWAC had already established a soccer program for the conference, so I looked into SWAC schools. Alabama State was only two hours away from Atlanta, it is a HBCU and had a soccer program, so I made it my first choice.”
And although applying to and receiving scholarship offers from other conference-member schools, Wilson thought ASU would be a great fit – and it was.
“I received a soccer and academic scholarship and loved my four years at ASU,” Wilson said. “I wouldn't trade my experience for anything in the world. Every goal I made in my freshman year, on and off the soccer field, was accomplished by the time I graduated. I played soccer, remained on the dean's list all four years, I became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., graduated with honors, made long lasting friendships, became a leader at the University and made every day at ASU count for something to better me and my future."
A true athlete growing up, she competed in gymnastics, played basketball, flag football, softball, tennis and ran track. Now, working on the other side of the scorer's table, she's living a "dream come true."
The Atlanta Dream is currently 4-1, tied for the best record in the league. With her internship scheduled to end in September, Wilson is confident the team will once again reach the playoffs and extend her stay.
"We have a really good team in Atlanta. I'm confident we'll be in the post season," she said. "Plus, the more home games we have, the more experience I'll get."
Earning her Bachelor of Science in May of 2012 in Business Management, the 23-year old is only three classes away from earning her Master's in Sports Management from the University of Southern Mississippi. Wilson is scheduled to graduate in December.
Wilson has called Atlanta home for the past eight years, but said it was her time as a member of the Hornets' soccer program and her ASU experience that taught her some core values that will take her to the next level in her career and throughout life.
"My time at Alabama State taught me discipline, hard-work and to keep striving for more success," she said. "Our motto when I was a student was: 'when we teach class, the world takes note.' I definitely feel like the world is taking note of me."
