b'New Athletic DirectorEnergizes Cougar SportsHer motto: We win!BY ADRIANNA DONATSjocquelyn Winstead gets ready to start her second year as Columbia High Schools Athletic Director.S jocquelyn Winstead made a lastingWinsteadknowsfirsthandthetransformationalIts a prestigious school with a legacy in track and impression in her first year as Co- power of sports. Growing up with ESPN on infield. I wanted to be part of a community that val-lumbia High Schools athletic di- her home and a deep admiration for the WNBA,ues excellence in all formsacademic, artistic and rector. With enthusiasm, inclusiveWinsteadsaysathleticsshapedherconfidence,athletic.programs and a clear vision for theleadership style and career. Winsteadhasprioritizeddevelopingstrong future, she is bringing new energySports can take you on a journey, she says.middle school athletic programs. Im excited to to Cougar sports. They teach you how to lead, how to think criti- see the foundation were laying for younger stu-When the last bus pulls back into school, thatscally, how to bounce back. That journey led herdents who want to be part of CHS athletics one when my job is done for the day, she says. Fromto Rutgers University, where she served as a stu- day, she says. earlymorningtolateevening,shecoordinatesdentmanagerforthewomensbasketballteam.BoardofEducationPresidentNubiaDuVall transportation for dozens of teams, ensures fieldsShe also found ways to lead off the court, eventu- Wilson says the programs will be for seventh and are prepped, checks in with coaches, communicatesally becoming head coach at Hillside Recreationeighth graders. Through Athletic Director Win-with parents and Cougar Boosters, and works toDepartment and, after graduation, the girls bas- steads efforts, this upcoming school year our stu-support current and future student-athletes.ketball head coach at Hillside High School.dentswillbeabletoexperienceinterscholastic Her mission: To remind everyone that sportsBy 2009, she realized she could one day runathletic competition, creating an in-district feeder are an extension of academics and that every ath- an athletic departmenteven in a field still domi- program to Columbia High School and enhancing lete is a student first. nated by men. What made her choose Columbiacommunity involvement in our athletics, she says. Aformervarsitybasketballcaptain,soccerHigh School? CHS is one of the best academicAnd Wilson has a point. Supporting middle player, softball player and cross-country runner,highschoolsinEssexCounty,Winsteadsays.school athletes, educating them about their options 18/ matters magazine / school 2025'