McNeal honored at Lane with NCAA plaques
[gtxvideo vid=”OfVStJw2″ playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/OfVStJw2.jpg” vtitle=”McNeal Honored At Lane”]
EAST JACKSON, Tenn. — Jasmine McNeal stumbled onto Lane College’s campus by mistake a few years ago. After attending Los Angeles Harbor Community College in California, McNeal decided to join the Dragons softball team because her teammate Shawnae Campbell was being recruited. “I wasn’t going to continue playing softball in college,” McNeal said. “I was going to transfer and play basketball. I’m glad I stayed.” Softball head coach Roger Ogden is glad she kept her talents on the diamond as well. McNeal saw instant success at Lane, winning the Southern-Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year twice. “She personifies the actual equation of student-athlete,” Ogden said. “She’s a great student in the classroom and of the game. She’s been a leader ever since she’s been here.” McNeal was honored by students and faculty on Wednesday during the school’s chapel service. Lane College’s athletic director Derrick Burroughs handed her three plaques from the NCAA for leading Division II this past spring in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. McNeal believes anyone can amount to her success if they work hard. “We’re all equal. I wouldn’t put my talents above anyone,” McNeal said. “If they worked as hard as I did, they can accomplish the same thing I did.” Ogden has seen some outstanding talent come through the softball program. He says he’s lucky to have coached her for two years. “I didn’t know anything about her,” Ogden said about his first impression of McNeal. “Blessing in disguise. She was just going off the fact what her friend told her. She was willing to take a chance. Thought man we might got a steal here.”
