Jessica Thomas was a four-year member (2009-12) of the Emory Softball program where she made her mark as one of the program's most dynamic offensive players in school history. When she finished her career, Jessica ranked first on the Eagles' all-time list with 26 home runs and stood third in RBIs (151) and slugging percentage (.668). She played in a total of 160 games, the 11th most in Emory history and her 159 starts placed ninth on the Eagles' career chart. She totaled 196 hits, which slotted her seventh all-time at Emory and her 127 runs scored ranked sixth. She captured Second Team All-America honors as a junior and was a three-time All-UAA First Team honoree.
Q: What is your occupation?
JT: I am currently a Senior Procurement Analyst at a large consumer goods company.
Q: Can you give an update on some of your experiences post-Emory to where you are now?
JT: I have worked predominantly in the retail and consumer goods industry since graduating. I have lived in New York, DC, and now I have settled down in Richmond, VA. I got married in 2018 and have a 3 year old daughter named Sophia.
Q: What were the primary factors in you choosing Emory as your college?
JT: Location – being in Atlanta and close to my grandparents and family
Academics – I wanted to be able to go to a top 20 college (at the time) and also be able to have a competitive softball career. I did not have to sacrifice either one and still do well.
Q: Can you reflect upon your time at Emory, both as a member of the softball team and as a student?
JT: It was a lot of work, with a lot of early mornings and late nights, and I am so grateful I was able to be apart of it. I am thankful for the lifelong friendships that I have made and the memories from the bus trips and softball spring break.
Q: Teams that you played on went 132-37, made 3 trips to the NCAA Tournament, and won 3 UAA titles. In looking back, what made those teams so successful?
JT: All the ladies on those teams were just competitors. We had a goal and we pushed each other to be the best team. The end goal was always to make it to the post season.
Q: You earned many honors (All-American, 3x First Team All-UAA, 4x All-Region) and finished your career ranked prominently in many Emory categories. Are there any particular accomplishments that standout in your mind?
JT: All American – I really was not expecting it that year. I think also that year we had a record setting win streak on top of having a difficult game schedule so that was the focus.
Q: Do you remember your first collegiate game -- 2-for-3 with a 3-run homer in your second at-bat, followed later by a grand slam (15-1 win over Maryville)?
JT: I was never a home run hitter prior to college. Honestly, I was just as shocked to hit back to back homeruns. I also remember dropping the easiest pop fly ever in the first inning.
Q: What are some highlights that you remember while competing at Emory?
JT: Bus trips
Playing CNU in below zero weather
UAA tournaments in Florida (Especially the year we went 8-0)
Q: How you are surviving the pandemic and how has it affected you?
JT: We are doing pretty well. I am able to work from home, my husband goes into the office. And we are lucky to have a great childcare option to help with my three year old.
Q: Any interests/hobbies or things you do to relax when away from work?
JT: Before Covid I loved going to the movies, farmers markets and amusement parks.
Q: Any former teammates that you are in contact with?
JT: I am still in contact with a good amount of my teammates. Some have a Lady Eagles text message group. Between marriages and babies we are still able to get together.
Q: Are you able to keep up with Emory softball?
JT: I streamed some of the games from the 2019 NCAA Championships run, other than that I have to admit I haven’t followed too closely. I did visit the updated stadium and I believe Emory softball definitely has one of the best field in all of college softball.
Q: Is there anything that you take from being a student-athlete into your profession?
JT: I think one thing Coach Siqueiros always told us is to stand up and advocate for ourselves. That is the same in the work force or even in post grad programs. If there is an open position, want a promotion, or looking for a mentor there is no one that is going to advocate better for you then you.
Q: Any advice you would give Emory students/future grads?
JT: Work hard and just to enjoy it the four years. It won’t always be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.
Jessica and her family live in Richmond, Va.