eXEC Suite
Tamica Smith Jones FORGING A RESULT-DRIVEN CULTURE OF CHAMPIONS – BY EXAMPLE BY KALAISHA TOTTY PHOTOGRAPHY BY MALCOLM ALI
T
amica Smith Jones understands the struggles and triumphs of student-athletes well. Jones began her sports journey at a young age. Her brothers and the neighborhood youth would jump off the school bus, drop their bags, and immediately get into a game of basketball, football, baseball, you name it. Her parents encouraged her to be involved in sports. They dedicated their yard space to the community for sports. "My dad wanted to make sure I was picked for the games because I was always outnumbered by the boys, so he built a court in our backyard," Jones said. "We played whatever sport was in season. So, home was literally my full sports arena year-round." Jones was an All-Conference basketball player at Lithonia High School in Georgia – and was one of a handful of studentathletes from her school to receive an athletics scholarship to college. She received a full basketball scholarship to Troy University in Alabama and transferred to Alabama A&M, earning her bachelor's in management before completing her master's in public administration from Savannah State. Her student-athlete experience was highlighted by her teammates and coaches, who were supportive and strong advocates throughout her sports career. "I beneted from coaches who looked out for me not just as a player but as a person," she said. "They cared about who we were as people, guided us through challenging times, and helped prepare us for life. One of my coaches helped get me a tryout at Alabama A&M, where I wanted to transfer. It is a connection that I'm forever indebted to." Like many who advocated for her, Jones realized that she wanted to be a role model and an advocate for other studentathletes and subsequently began her path into coaching and college athletics administration. She now serves as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), a position she has held since 2015. 30
WINTER 2020 | SUITELIFESOCAL.COM
@tj.jones.3154284 @tjsports23
Prior to her current role at UCR, a rising Division I program in the Big West Conference, she served as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) for two years. In addition, she served as the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Clark Atlanta University (NCAA Division II, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – SIAC) from January 2008 until July 2013. Under Jones' direction, UCR teams have witnessed a renewed sense of purpose and energy for the campus and community. As a result, the Highlanders have won seven individual Big West Championships, the program's rst-ever national championship in the weight throw, the 2018 Big West Conference Men's Soccer Tournament Championship, and a rst-ever trip to the 2018 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament/ Men's College Cup.