Feb. 15, 2008
This past Saturday, Jami Wilus (Class of '02) became the first lacrosse alum to be inducted into the La Salle Hall of Athletes. She recently sat down to talk about receiving the honor, as well as reflect on her career at La Salle.
What does it mean to you to be inducted into the Hall of Athletes?
It's such a great honor to be inducted in such a prestigious Hall of Athletes. To be the first lacrosse player to be inducted means a lot to me because I feel like I was blessed to be a part of a new program that gave me the opportunity to play and contribute immediately.
What was the highlight of your career at La Salle?
After all is said and done, I feel the highlight of my career is more about the people I met and the wonderful experience I had being a part of the La Salle community. I will always remember more about the great bond I had with my teammates than the scores of games or individual accomplishments.
Were there any specific opponents that you looked forward to playing each year?
I was the type of player that treated every game, whether it was a non-league game or an A-10 game, like a war. To me it was competition and I thrived on the competition, every opponent was like a new battle for me and my team. In particular I always looked forward to the local rivalry against St. Joe's, where I was sure to bring my "A game".
The lacrosse program was fairly new when you came to La Salle. What influenced your decision to come here? Were you recruited by other programs?
I was recruited by other programs and for different sports as well- when I was deciding on a college I was also deciding on what sport I was going to play. Although La Salle was a fairly new program, I felt at that point in my life, when I decided to give up basketball, that La Salle offered me the best combination of athletics and academics while also being able to play field hockey and lacrosse.
After graduation, how did you stay involved in lacrosse? Are you still involved in the game these days?
I had a strong desire to stay involved in the game after graduation. For two years after graduation, I continued to play on the U.S. Developmental Lacrosse team and also stayed involved coaching camps and clinics throughout the area. I became a high school teacher and coach following graduation at my alma mater, North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA. I have been in my current job as a high school history teacher and head lacrosse coach for six years.
Do you still follow the program? If so, what do you expect of the team this year and beyond?
I do still follow the program and remain a La Salle fan in all sports. I expect big things from La Salle this year; hopefully they can reach their goal of making it into the A-10 tournament. They have some great players and I am especially going to follow them in years to come because two of my current high school players will be freshmen on the team next season.
What would you say to a prospective student-athlete that was considering La Salle?
Follow your heart. If it feels right then go for it and don't look back. The people surrounding La Salle from the coaches to administrators to professors make the experience second to none. La Salle offers a perfect blend of academics and athletics while allowing you to compete in one of the best conferences in the country. I never turned down an opportunity to do something new, exciting and challenging and my most memorable ones come from my days as member of La Salle University.
Wilus ranks first all-time in points, goals and assists in program history. She was a four-time All-Atlantic 10 selection and led the nation with 4.73 goals per game in 2001.
