Former Bobcat student-athletes reflect on their OHIO experiences

They’ve sported more green and white than your average Bobcat and have had OHIO experiences that only a select few can claim.

Ohio University’s Athens campus is home to more than 400 Bobcats who hold dual titles: student and athlete.

A college career in athletics is about much more than playing a sport. It is a long-term commitment to balancing practices, trainings and traveling with academics and personal matters—all while upholding the integrity of the university. OHIO’s student-athletes do all of that and more, shining a national spotlight on Ohio University and giving Bobcat Nation many reasons to stand up and cheer.

In partnership with OHIO Athletics, Ohio Today news features six OHIO student-athlete alumni who discuss their unique college experiences and how the lessons they learned on the field and the court have shaped their lives today.

How has being an OHIO student-athlete prepared you for your career and life today?

Hannah Boesinger, BA ’17, was a forward on the OHIO Women’s Basketball Team while studying environmental biology. Today, Boesinger is an environmental water quality investigator in Cleveland, Ohio.

Hannah Boesinger, BA ’17: Being an OHIO student-athlete prepared me for my current life and career in more ways than I could have imagined. The transition from being a student-athlete to working in my current field felt natural because of the values and skills I developed at OHIO. I feel as though my discipline, competitiveness and confidence allow me to thrive in my current career. I had coaches and professors that prepared me for life after college and made sure I understood my self-worth as more than just an athlete.

Yamonie Jenkins, BS ’17: Being an OHIO student-athlete has prepared me for my current career/life by helping me adjust to adversity and stay determined to always do my best in everything that I do. It also helped me by keeping me organized and focused on what I want to accomplish and to continue to work hard until I’ve accomplished it.

Jonathan “J.R.” Reynolds, BSSPS ’12 MSRSS ’13: Being an OHIO student-athlete prepared me in many ways. OHIO taught me how to prioritize my time on and off of the field. It taught me how to stay organized with my studies, athletics, friends and family. It kept me hungry in my desire to learn about the sports industry. And OHIO kept me disciplined and competitive to achieve my future goals in professional baseball.

Jordan Thompson, BSETM ’12: As a former OHIO Bobcat student-athlete, the values, work ethic and high expectations instilled in me during college have carried over into my personal life. Doing things the right way, working hard to achieve the desired outcome and pursuing excellence in everything you do opens up avenues for jobs, opportunities and the ability to meet a lot of amazing people.

Yamonie Jenkins, BS ’17, played on the OHIO Women’s Basketball Team while majoring in forensic chemistry. Today, Jenkins resides in Dallas, Texas, and is a research and development chemist at the headquarters of PepsiCo Frito-Lay.

Jerome Tillman, BBA ’09: Being an OHIO student-athlete, I was given an opportunity to get a quality education while participating in a great athletic and basketball program. I was challenged to put my best foot forward both on the court and in the classroom. I was given all of the necessary tools and skills to succeed after my time at OHIO was done. The facilities and resources that were available to me while at OHIO were more than enough to be successful.

Jasmine Weatherspoon, BA ’17: Being an OHIO student-athlete has prepared me for my current career because I am playing professional basketball overseas, and being coached by Coach Boldon helped me develop as a player to be ready to play overseas. The different cultures at OU prepared me by being around many different people but all still having the same end goal, which is what I am dealing with while playing overseas.

What is the most valuable takeaway from being an OHIO student-athlete?

Boesinger: The absolute most valuable life lesson that I learned from being an OHIO student-athlete was the necessity of hard work. I learned quickly at Ohio University that if I wasn’t going to work hard then I wasn’t going to accomplish much, and that there were plenty of people to take my place. Every time I stepped on the court at OHIO I gave my best effort to my coaches, teammates and to myself. Persevering through adversity is what separates the good from the great, and taking the easy way out was never an option for us. Because I was pushed to constantly work hard, I was able to grow as an athlete and person. The mindset of always working hard has carried me through my entire collegiate career and current work career, and I would not be where I am today without it.

Jenkins: The most valuable takeaway life lesson from being an OHIO student-athlete would have to be to live in the moment and never take your situation for granted. I was blessed to have a full-ride scholarship to play for and study at Ohio University, and the four years I spent there went by fast. Living in the moment and being grateful for my situation allowed me to enjoy my college experience, win championships and obtain a degree.

Jonathan “J.R.” Reynolds, BSSPS ’12 MSRSS ’13, played on the OHIO Baseball Team while studying sport management. Today, Reynolds is a scouting supervisor for the Cincinnati Reds.

Reynolds: The most valuable takeaway from being a student-athlete at OHIO is that you never know who is watching.

Thompson: The OHIO Athletic Department pursues excellence in every aspect of the student-athlete experience. Those values carry over to life. Through hard work, dedication, believing in oneself and execution, you can reach success at the level others only dream of.

Tillman: My most valuable takeaway from being a student-athlete at OHIO would be cultivating and maintaining meaningful relationships, time management and discipline.

Weatherspoon: My most valuable takeaway is don’t be in a rush to get things done/over with. Enjoy every single day and make memories whenever I can.

What was your most valuable memory of being a student-athlete (athletic, academic or personal)?

Boesinger: My most valuable memory from my time as a student-athlete was winning the MAC Championship. The previous year, my team had a 9-21 record and was the worst team in the conference. The very next year we went 27-5, won the MAC Championship and made it to the NCAA Tournament. The feeling of not only winning a championship, but doing so after such a disastrous previous season, was indescribable.

Jenkins: The most valuable memory of being a student-athlete was winning a championship and seeing the support that we had from the University, which included our fans, athletic and academic staff. Knowing that you have support both in the classroom and on the court was a great feeling to have.

Jordan Thompson, BSETM ’12, was a tight end for the OHIO Football Team and majored in engineering technology management. He went on to play for the NFL’s Detroit Lions. Today, Thompson is self-employed and serves on the OHIO Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Reynolds: [There are] too many memories to count, but the most valuable memories are earning three Mid-American Conference Honor Roll certificates, graduating on the field at Bob Wren Stadium, earning my master’s in coaching education and throwing out runners at Pitt. The memories I made with my teammates and coaches will never be forgotten either.

Thompson: Athletic – Being a part of the Bobcat Football Family has been one of life’s greatest blessings. Seeing firsthand a group of young men from all different walks of life come together to pursue and achieve a level of success never before seen at Ohio University is one thing I’ll never forget. To know we were the first team to win a bowl game in school history is something that no one will ever be able to take away from us.

Academic – On graduation day, standing in the Convocation Center amongst my peers, President McDavis presented me with the Ohio University Outstanding Senior Leader Award. As I graciously accepted that award, I was overcome with emotion as I reflected back on my time in Athens. Even though my name was recognized, that award represented the countless individuals that helped shape me into the young adult eager to walk across the stage and graduate from Ohio University on that day. From professors, to coaches, to athletic staff, to classmates and teammates, to Ms. Trina our dorm custodian, to local Athens residents, everyone I met over the five years I spent in Athens has had a profound impact on my life. I’m forever indebted to those individuals and truly grateful. Ohio University allowed me to believe in myself and placed amazing people alongside me to help ensure I could succeed in every aspect of my life.

Personal – The Bobcat Family is unlike any other group of individuals out there. The love, passion and excitement that graduates of Ohio University possess is beautiful. I’m proud to be a Bobcat!

Tillman: The most valuable memory of being a student-athlete was being able to graduate with a marketing degree and the friends and family I encountered and made while a student-athlete at OHIO.

Jerome Tillman, BBA ’09, played on the OHIO Men’s Basketball Team while majoring in marketing. Today, Tillman plays professional basketball in Sendai, Japan.

Weatherspoon: I have two actually: winning the MAC Championship my junior year and graduation day. Winning the MAC Championship is obviously everyone’s goal, and to say I was a part of a team that achieved it will always be special to me. Graduation day is special to me because you always hear people say, “time flies by so enjoy it while you can,” but you never really listen to them. So when the actual day came, I just reminisced on all the great times I had at OU and really thought to myself “when did four years go by.”

What is the most important piece of advice you would pass along to current OHIO student-athletes?

Boesinger: Work hard every step of the way. The worst thing you can do is leave OHIO with any regrets and wish you’d done just a little bit more on the field/court or in the classroom. The time you have at OHIO will be over before you know it, so make the most out of every second. I’ll also tell anyone that will listen to please take academics seriously and pick a major that you’re passionate about. Life after college lasts a lot longer than your time as a student-athlete, so set yourself up to do something you’ll love.

Jenkins: Live in the moment but prepare for your future. Enjoy the time that you have in college with your teammates, but also make sure to write out goals that you want to accomplish to set you up for your future career, whatever that may be.

Jasmine Weatherspoon, BA ’17, played on the OHIO Women’s Basketball Team while studying political science/pre-law. Today, Weatherspoon splits her time between Visby, Sweden, where she plays professional basketball, and Columbus, Ohio.

Reynolds: I would tell current student-athletes to enjoy every second on campus. It was the best years of my life, and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I would also tell them to listen to and appreciate current teammates, coaches, professors and administrators.

Thompson: Never underestimate the connections you’ll make with those you come in contact with while at Ohio University. Networking opportunities are everywhere. People might not remember your name, but they’ll remember how you made them feel. Some of those people will go on to be very successful and they might just want to hire you someday. If they want you on their team, they will find a way to get in contact with you.

Tillman: Make the most of the time you have being a student-athlete at OHIO. The time goes by very fast. The experiences and the relationships you build and cultivate during your time at OHIO will last you a lifetime. Always work hard in your sport and, most importantly, in the classroom. Your time in college is a time where you create lasting memories. It is the best time of your life.

Weatherspoon: My most important piece of advice is: Yes, you are there to play the sport, but there’s so many other things you take away from it. Create a sisterhood with each other and really try and make every day great because that’s what you’ll really remember as you get older.