Going into last Saturday’s game against Illinois College, Jodi Watkins ’09 had accomplished a lot in her four-year career on the women’s basketball team, however, there was one thing that seem to elude her— a double-double.
On Senior Day, and in front of a raucous crowd at Darby, Watkins dropped 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Illinois College as she guided the Pioneers to victory.
Averaging 8.9 points a game, Watkins’ dedication reaches far beyond the hardwood. A biology major from Kansas, Watkins plans to get graduate degree after graduating from Grinnell.
“I plan to attend medical school this fall, not quite for sure where yet,” Watkins said. “I have eight more schools to hear from to figure out where I am going to go, but that’s the direction I am going to head.”
During her time here at Grinnell, Watkins has played in over 90 games and taken over 500 3-pointers. Additionally, she has grabbed more than 200 rebounds and had over 70 steals.
As far as her basketball career after college, Watkins plans to play on an intramural team in whichever city that she ends up in. “I definitely will continue to play as long my body lets me, that’s for sure,” she said. Aside from basketball and the schoolwork that keeps Watkins constantly busy, she sings the national anthem at home games and is part of the a capella group Vox.
While both of those passions are known, there is something very few Grinnellieans know about Watkins.
“I am in love with American Idol, that is the only show that I will make time to watch during the school year,” Watkins said. “I have seen all eight seasons, I remember every single winner.”
But for Watkins, many of her memories on the court are not of personal accomplishments, but the time with her teammates.
“Over the four years basketball has been a huge part of my Grinnell experience,” Watkins said. “We haven’t always been the most successful team, but I’ve had a blast continuing to play the game I love and have great people surround me.”
