By Kevin Boyle
Profile: Keri Washington
Major: Health and Exercise Science, Minor in Management
Employer: Notre Dame High School and Total Soccer Academy
Sport: Women's Basketball
When Keri Washington'11 transferred to The College of New Jersey from New Jersey Institute of Technology, she had to adapt to a new school, team and environment. Some might view that experience as difficult. Washington, however, calls on that time period to assist her in endeavors and relay advice to young athletes.
The former Lions' women's basketball player has now undertaken a fresh role in athletics. She spends her days (and nights) as the Assistant Athletic Director at Notre Dame High School.
"I can tell students my own story and encourage them to keep pushing," explained Washington when referencing discussions with young athletes. "I can give them advice based on my own experiences."
Notre Dame High School, a member for the Colonial Valley Conference in Mercer County, has an enrollment of over 1,280 students, bolstering 51 total sports teams, with 27 varsity teams. Sports offered include basketball, soccer, track, lacrosse, field hockey, softball, baseball, ice hockey, diving, swimming, tennis, and golf. Washington oversees all of these sports and more on a daily basis.
Before becoming Assistant Athletic Director, Washington was a freshmen soccer coach when she was approached with an opportunity to apply for the position.
"She (previous assistant AD) told me in December that she would be leaving because she had a college coaching job offer," Washington recalled. "She told me to apply, so I handed my resume in to the Athletic Director and I was called in for an interview a few weeks later. The next day got the job."
At Notre Dame, Washington's days are filled with confirming schedules, scheduling transportation and officials for games, updating the schools website, and other methods of promoting athletics. But, there is one unexpected component to the job that she perceives to be a blessing.
"My last task would be to mentor and be a role model for the kids, which was not listed in my job description when I signed my contract. But has become a definite day-to-day task that I truly enjoy," remarked Washington.
Now, as she looks back at her time at TCNJ, following her transfer from NJIT, there isn't much Washington would change.
"I like to believe that things happen the way they are supposed to and I needed to take that course to appreciate a great institution such as TCNJ," remembered Washington, who received all-conference honors her senior season at the guard position. "I think transferring was good for me, even though I never had the intentions of wanting to transfer and leave. It was very difficult leaving my friends and my sister (at NJIT). I had to go with the decision that would shape my future the way I wanted it to go."
