The University of Mississippi Athletics
NGWSD Beyond the Box: Jennifer Saxon
2/3/2019 | Athletics
Every February, universities, colleges, and schools and leagues around the country celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, an event honoring the importance of females in athletics. In celebration of that day, Ole Miss is going even further "beyond the box", recognizing women for the many roles they play in athletics, from competing and coaching to fundraising and communications, Oxford calls itself home to 153 female student-athletes.ย ย The Rebels are also proud to employ 77 women in the Ole Miss athletic department, helping make each and every one of our roles vital to the day-to-day functions and success of Ole Miss Athleticsย
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Beyond the box withโฆย Jennifer Saxon
Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Enhancement
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What is your role within Ole Miss Athletics?
I serve as the Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Enhancement, where I am responsible for creating programming for our 400 student-athletes in the areas of career development, community engagement, diversity, and inclusion and personal advancement. Our ultimate goal is to prepare out student-athletes to become self-sufficient, productive citizens after graduation. My job is unique and changes with the evolution of student-athletes and the landscape of collegiate athletics, but I enjoy the everchanging days. I get the opportunity to see growth in people, and that is amazing!
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When did you realize you wanted to make working in sports an eventual career?
As the daughter of a coach, I have been around and involved in athletics my entire life. It was not an option to not participate in sports in my home. I knew very early that I wanted a career in sports, but did not know what the career exactly would be until my senior year in college. I was a student athletic-trainer and planned to continue that career until I was offered an opportunity to be an Athletic Academic Counselor.
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Do you think there are benefits to having females in key roles in male athletics, such as NFL referees, assistant coaches, player development roles, etc., and what do you think makes this important?
I think the presence of women in key roles in sport has grown and it will continue to do so. There are benefits to women having non-traditional roles in any job, and I think ultimately we must remember that our experience in those positions will pave the way for someone after us.ย
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What do you think is the most important thing young females should know about competing AND working in athletics?
I believe competition builds character and as women, it is important to remember to be competitive. I was told very early in my career to work to have a seat at the table, and once you get the seat, you must be prepared to contribute. Each day and moment we get new opportunities, and it is up to use to make the best of it. Every day is a chance to make a positive difference globally, not just our immediate environment.ย
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Jennifer Saxon joined the staff at Ole Miss in August of 2014. She loves to watch football and women's basketball, but if she's on the court, it's volleyball all the way. When not cheering on the Rebels, Jennifer's yelling for the Carolina Panthers. Her favorite sports movie is Space Jam (it's a classic!), and her favorite sports-related memory is when Ole Miss defeated Alabama in 2014 because as she describes it- 'it was electric from start to finish.'ย
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Beyond the box withโฆย Jennifer Saxon
Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Enhancement
ย
What is your role within Ole Miss Athletics?
I serve as the Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Enhancement, where I am responsible for creating programming for our 400 student-athletes in the areas of career development, community engagement, diversity, and inclusion and personal advancement. Our ultimate goal is to prepare out student-athletes to become self-sufficient, productive citizens after graduation. My job is unique and changes with the evolution of student-athletes and the landscape of collegiate athletics, but I enjoy the everchanging days. I get the opportunity to see growth in people, and that is amazing!
ย
When did you realize you wanted to make working in sports an eventual career?
As the daughter of a coach, I have been around and involved in athletics my entire life. It was not an option to not participate in sports in my home. I knew very early that I wanted a career in sports, but did not know what the career exactly would be until my senior year in college. I was a student athletic-trainer and planned to continue that career until I was offered an opportunity to be an Athletic Academic Counselor.
ย
Do you think there are benefits to having females in key roles in male athletics, such as NFL referees, assistant coaches, player development roles, etc., and what do you think makes this important?
I think the presence of women in key roles in sport has grown and it will continue to do so. There are benefits to women having non-traditional roles in any job, and I think ultimately we must remember that our experience in those positions will pave the way for someone after us.ย
ย
What do you think is the most important thing young females should know about competing AND working in athletics?
I believe competition builds character and as women, it is important to remember to be competitive. I was told very early in my career to work to have a seat at the table, and once you get the seat, you must be prepared to contribute. Each day and moment we get new opportunities, and it is up to use to make the best of it. Every day is a chance to make a positive difference globally, not just our immediate environment.ย
ย
Jennifer Saxon joined the staff at Ole Miss in August of 2014. She loves to watch football and women's basketball, but if she's on the court, it's volleyball all the way. When not cheering on the Rebels, Jennifer's yelling for the Carolina Panthers. Her favorite sports movie is Space Jam (it's a classic!), and her favorite sports-related memory is when Ole Miss defeated Alabama in 2014 because as she describes it- 'it was electric from start to finish.'ย
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