- Jasmine Brooks, second from left, signed an athletic scholarship to Tennessee for her star-studded volleyball play at Sparkman. Her family including her sister, Leah, left, and parents, Lanora and Jesse, were on hand for the special event. Photo- Jesse Brooks
Sparkman’s Jasmine Brooks Signs Volleyball Scholarship With Tennessee Volunteers
Published 5:32 am Thursday, November 21, 2019
HARVEST- The old phrase of “chip off the old block” can certainly fit Jasmine Brooks of Sparkman High. Following in the footsteps of both her father and mother, both of whom earned scholarships to play college athletics, Brooks signed a full-ride athletic scholarship to the University of Tennessee at a recent signing ceremony at her beloved high school.
“Tennessee was the best fit for me as I liked the campus and how it had a family atmosphere and the team members were like a family,” said Brooks. “I seemed to mesh with the coaches and there was an instant connection.”
The 6-foot-1 Brooks was a two-time Class 7A All-State player for the Senators where she posted 1,594 kills with a 3.63 percentage, 344 blocks, 974 digs and 136 aces. Sparkman (36-15) lost in the first round of the North Super Regional to Thompson in Brooks’ senior season.
Both Jesse and Lanora Brooks played college basketball at Kentucky State where they met and dated for two years before getting married. They make up the volleyball coaching staff at Sparkman and now have their second of three daughters leaving for college, which will be a huge change for the coaching parents and not to mention the young Brooks, who said, “I think it will be a little difficult for me to make that change, but I feel like I’ll be fine as my personality is subdued, but I’ll warm up once I get into place among my teammates.”
Brooks will carry a 3.7 grade point average to Knoxville next school year as she has plans to study sports medicine and one day be either a physical therapist or athletic trainer.
The two-time All-State selection committed to Tennessee in February after entertaining offers from the likes of Alabama, Middle Tennessee State and Southern Illinois while UCLA, Iowa State, Baylor, Illinois and Oklahoma State showed huge interest, but it was the friendly confines of the Tennessee campus located on the banks of the Tennessee River that had her calling and a spot waiting just for her.
“I thank my parents and all of my coaches, especially those from my club teams I played on,” said Brooks.
