My Home Away From Home

Why Jamestown?

Growing up in Grand Forks, ND, surrounded by all my extended family, influenced my decision of where I wanted to further my education. Having three brothers – two of which are my triplet brothers – attend UND, made it difficult for me to be the one to branch out to another University.

I knew I wanted to go to a small school and potentially play a sport, and UND didn’t draw my interest. University of Jamestown was known for its athletics as well as strong academics, and I reached out to the Coach Gall in an email showing my interest for academics and softball.

Coach Gall asked me to come up for the weekend to tour the campus, take in a football game, and watch the softball team scrimmage. Recruiting weekend was the first time I knew University of Jamestown was for me. Tom Hager and the Jimmie Knight came out during my visit and gave a speech on what it means to be a Jimmie.

If you have ever heard the speech, you know how intense it is, even after attending school here, but being a high school student hearing it shows you the level of pride and compassion people have toward UJ. My dad said he knew at that moment by the look in my eyes that I was going to be attending University of Jamestown.

Academics

The small classroom setting is one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Jamestown. I didn’t want to be 1 of 50 plus students in a classroom where you don’t have an identity. Professors here care about you, work with you if you need it, and overall are amazing people.

Because of traveling for softball, we miss a lot of school, and all of the professors are flexible with our schedules and want you to succeed. One of the professors came to almost all of our home games, some of our scrimmages, and even traveled a few times out of state to support us. Seeing professors that care about you in academics and in your sport is such a good feeling.

Friendships

The friendships that have been built over the four years here are irreplaceable. Coach Gall paired me with a roommate from Devils Lake, ND who instantly became my best friend. We ended up being roommates for three years, and I’m so grateful I got to play softball with her.

If it wasn’t for Coach Gall, I wouldn’t have had the strong relationship I do with her. Jamestown has brought me friendships that will last a lifetime. You can’t walk across campus without seeing a face you recognize or without saying hi to someone. My teammates throughout my years have become my second family. It’s exciting to know that wherever I travel someday, there will be a teammate nearby.

Team = Family

Coach Gall always says that he wants us to walk away from the program with not just knowledge of the sport, but with lifelong lessons. He has taught me many things throughout my years here that will follow me wherever I go.

Gall has taught me the importance of hard work, having a role in anything that you do, how to be a leader, the importance of family, and much more. I have never played for a coach who cares for his players as much as he does. The compassion he has for the sport and how he looks at our team as his second family is so special.

We have had such a successful program and won our conference, attended nationals two years in a row, and have been nationally ranked. My dad told me how you aren’t going to remember your stats or how you batted in a specific game – you are going to remember your teammates, coaches and the memories you shared and how they made you feel; he couldn’t be more right. All of the accomplishments we have made as a program in the past four years are special but having teammates and coaching staff that would do anything for you beats it all. Having a second family to support you is what made being a part of the Jimmie family important.

Thank you!

Thank you to my parents for guiding and supporting me in everything I do. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I’d like to thank my professors for putting in extra time and supporting me inside and outside the classroom. Lastly, I’d like to thank Coach Gall for being there for me on and off the field. Thank you for believing in me and always being someone I can depend on.

Thank you UJ, you’ll forever have a place in my heart.