This past Monday, Nov. 14, coaches, athletes and faculty members of Marshfield were honored when women's basketball legend and SMS Alumni Jackie Stiles offered to speak on her own pursuit to excellence and overcoming adversity.
Stiles, whose basketball career includes:
Holding the NCAA scoring record for 16 years
Being the 4th draft pick in the WNBA draft in 2001
WNBA Rookie of that same year
Stiles also had a documentary filmed about her life and career titled The Jackie Stiles Story which won Best Documentary at the 2022 Yucca Film Festival.
The basketball pro visited that Monday giving an inside look on her career and life as she navigated the "court".
While reflecting on her year's in high school, she stated "some of my best memories were when I was your age and playing on different sports teams. You do not realize how unique that opportunity is until it is over."
Stiles then highlighted the highs and lows of her life. Specific moments in life that defined her like breaking her dominant shooting hand. Stiles learned to shoot with her other hand and made a goal to make 1,000 shots a day. Other highlights included choosing which college to attend, being drafted to the WNBA, to being diagnosed with rare cancer called ocular melanoma.
"It is not if you face adversity; it is when you face adversity and how you handle those difficult times," Stiles encouraged. "I look back at all the hard times I went through, and it made me better. It shows you what you are capable of and can bring out the best in you if you choose to turn it into a positive experience. "
It appeared that Stiles is also a fan of the Marshfield Blue Jays Athletic. "I now have an invested interest because I have been here, I will be following you guys for sure and be cheering you on from afar."
She welcomed athletes to visit her website and send her a message if interested in discussing routines, colleges, or general advice.
Thank you again, Jackie Stiles, for stopping by and sharing your wisdom with the athletes of Marshfield.
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