Jacelyn Starks is already leaving her mark at IU-Columbus both on and off the court. Starks knew she wanted to play college basketball and has always wanted to become a teacher and coach, but had not considered IU-C until she got a nudge from her best friend--and fellow Anderson native--Amaya Collins, who had just committed to the Crimson Pride.
After contacting coach Dana Dunson, he quickly came out to watch the Anderson’s All-North Central Conference guard and invited Starks to visit campus. During that visit, she met Admissions Counselor Drhea Emerton, who immediately took Jacelyn under her wing.
“Drhea said she was going to be here for me, and she has been. She’s my go-to person,” Starks said.
After that visit, Starks committed to IU-C. While there were many unknowns joining a brand-new basketball program, she embraced the excitement, potential and opportunity that comes with a debut season.
As a freshman student-athlete and elementary education major, Starks has wasted no time getting involved. Balancing 6:30 a.m. practices, classes, study tables and games, she also works part-time at the outlet mall and is a volunteer basketball coach for kids along with Collins, who is also her roommate.
Starks laughed about how busy she is but said that’s nothing new.
“I’ve always been busy, I was always a student-athlete, had a job, and in high school I was part of three different volunteer groups,” she said.
Emberton applauded Starks for also stepping up to mentor middle and high schoolers during campus events to support black and biracial students in the Columbus community.
“Jacelyn jumped right in, giving student tours, talking candidly about her experience, and allowing a safe space to ask questions and speak openly,” Emberton said.
Starks admitted she was apprehensive when the basketball season started with just six on the roster, but they quickly signed on three players from the softball team and then two volleyball players and a soccer player. She said the original six were relieved to have reinforcements and quickly welcomed their new teammates to the fold.
“Jacelyn has great character, and she’s helped embrace the new players as they’ve joined our ranks—teaching them our plays and really establishing a culture among the team—and they’ve bonded quickly,” Dunson noted. “As a player, she has the skills and talent, I’m looking forward to seeing her excel to the next level.”
Starks said that she has appreciated the community support for the new team and was especially impressed by the packed bleachers during their first home game, which also made history as the program’s first win.
“I came here, and I didn’t know anyone except Amaya,” she said. “It’s been amazing to experience such a welcoming environment and to feel all the support for women’s basketball.”
This article appeared in The Herald Bulletin.