Tina Jackson

Captain Speech

I would love to serve as captain for the tennis team not only because I have had wonderful experiences and built great friendships over the past two years, but because I am committed to the team and tennis.  I grew up playing tennis with my mother but unfortunately never had the opportunity to play on a team until Smith.  I decided I wanted to try out for the tennis team my first year because it was an alluring challenge – like a new frontier to explore.  It was a wonderful comfort coming into college being on a team.   With this cohesive group of athletes, I realized that college level sports were not only a good way to advance skills, but to allow the developing of a family niche at Smith.  I am a competitor, I love to condition, I love to play, I love to watch my teammates play, and I also understand the importance of being on a team.  Without that bond we are not a team. 

I would bring encouragement, strength, an open mind, and ideas to the position of captain.  I want have more of team unity.  We all get along so well on the court and have so much spunk to bring to the team with our own individual styles.  Once in a while, I think it would be fun and important for us to get together and do something fun and meaningful– as the tennis team. Because when this is over, and we all are in the real-world, we’ll want to look back at our time here and how special it was, and is now, to be members of the Smith College Tennis team – something only a few of us can say.

 I hope you can see me as a leader - capable of opening my mouth when necessary, but using a thoughtful tongue and level head.  I want to be a good liaison between the coach and team.  I think it’s important every voice is heard – if you are on the team, the goal is to take everyone as serious tennis players no matter where you might fall in the ladder.  As your captain, I would be positive, a listener, and a leader.