PLAYER PROFILE

MONTONYA JACKSON

TDMB:    Whaz up Tonya?
TONYA:  Hey Coach, what's going on?

TDMB:    Nothing much just taking it easy.  I know your name is Montonya but it is kind of long so is it ok if I call U Tonya or do U prefer MJ
TONYA: What happened to..."YOU KILLIN ME"? lol! You yelled that at me so much the last time I played with you guys, I thought that was my new nickname! LOL!!!

TDMB:    U were killing me but how has it been going?
TONYA: Everything is everything, you know how it goes.

TDMB:    Before U moved back to Dallas we use to keep in touch, now U acting funny what is up with that?
TONYA: Awww, why you gotta put me out there like that? lol!!! I'm working a lot more and things are a lot faster in the D as opposed to lil ol' Beaumont. lol!

TDMB:    Where are U originally from?
TONYA:  I was born in Nacogdoches, TX - the OLDEST town in Texas!

TDMB:    Do U have any children?
TONYA: Yes 2 mini ME's! In their own way! LOL

TDMB:     Are they athletes or girly girls?
TONYA:  The oldest one is a girlie girl, she's into dance, modeling, and theater. The youngest is definitely going to be a great athlete!

TDMB:    What sports did U play in High  School?
TONYA:  I played volleyball, basketball, and I ran track.

TDMB:     What college did U attend?
TONYA:  Lamar University, Beaumont/Paul Quinn College, Dallas

TDMB:     The Golden Triangle, I knew I liked U for some reason. LOL
TONYA:  Yeah I liked it so much I went back and made it my home, even it were only for a short time!

TDMB:     At Lamar what Sport did U play?
TONYA:  I actually went to Lamar on a track scholarship, but I walked on the volleyball team.

TDMB:     What event did U run?
TONYA:  I competed in the heptathlon. I ran the open 100 meter hurdles and I was the anchor on the 4x100 meter relay.

TDMB:     Ok U ran track at Lamar but U played Semi-Pro Basketball right?
TONYA:  Yes, I actually had a lot of scholarship offers to play basketball but I chose to go to Lamar with my bestfriend and run track. She also got a track scholarship!  If I could do it all over again I would have played basketball in college and maybe even pursued a career. I started playing pick up to get in shape after I had my oldest daughter and I was asked to play on a semi pro travel team. My team mates were Umeka Webb - Miami Sol, Nakeisha Henderson - Houston Comets, Robin Pruitt - International, and many other great players.  We all played AAU ball together through out high school.

TDMB:     How was that experience?
TONYA:  It was awesome. Tracy (Soops/Enough Said) and I realized we played against each other in some tournaments. She played for a semi pro team in Houston.

TDMB:     What do U do for a living?
TONYA:  I am a PE/Health teacher and I am the Head Volleyball Coach at Justin F. Kimball High School

TDMB:     How do U like Coaching and Teaching?
TONYA:  I love what I do, and I especially love my hours and the guaranteed vacation time! lol

TDMB:    What schools have U Coached at?
TONYA:  I started out at middle school, Sarah Zumwalt in Dallas, South Oak Cliff High School - Dallas, Carrollwood - Tampa, FL, Lancaster Jr High - Dallas area, Nacogdoches High School - Nacogdoches, West Orange Stark High School - Orange, and Kimball High - where I plan to retire from! lol!!!

TDMB:     Did U see that video of that student whipping that teacher's behind?
TONYA:  Did I? Man I'm just gonna tell you like Sophia told Ms. Ceily on The Color Purple..."You better bash Mr's head open and think about heaven later!!!

TDMB:     If one of your students try to jump on U what would U do?
TONYA:  Unfortunately my first year teaching I had a physical altercation, but it was with a parent.  She was defending her daughter, as we all would, but she put her finger in my face and it touched my nose...and...well....that's all SHE remembered!!! That has followed me around the Dallas School District, so I don't and probably won't have that problem occur.

TDMB:     How did U get started playing softball?
TONYA:  It's a long story. I was playing basketball at a gym and a coach from Primetime asked me to come to a practice. I enjoyed it and here I am.

TDMB:     How long have U been playing?
TONYA:  It was actually 4 years ago that I met that coach, but this season will start year number 3 that I have been playing competitive tournament softball. So I have have 2 full years of experience.

TDMB:    What teams have U played for?
TONYA:  Primetime, Lady Canes II, and Team Dallas Women.  I have had the pleasure of helping out and traveling with Lady UT - Beaumont, Lady Elite - Lafayette, La., Lady Top Dog - Houston, and Nothin' Nice - Miami, FL. 

TDMB:     What are your goals in Softball?
TONYA:  To just get better and better as the season progresses. I also want to learn to play the infield because I'm not getting any younger. lol!!!

TDMB:     What has been your favorite tournament to play in
TONYA:  My favorite tournament was actually a few weeks ago in Aiken, SC - the BSC Kick Off! There were 130+ teams there. I played with Nothin' Nice. We placed 2nd.

TDMB      Now I am going to put U on the spot North softball or South softball
TONYA:  Awww Dayum...$#%@&*! &*^%!@# Final Answer! lol

TDMB:     Black Softball Website did a profile on U.  I was told it was one of the most talked about profiles.  Did U know that?
TONYA:  Clay, Mr. 911 did a great job, so he should take the credit if it was as good as people say.

TDMB:     Every time I take a picture of U and put it on the website I get more PM's about who is that and can I hook them up. 
TONYA:  LOL!!! Your timing is Great coach, just Great!!! LOL!!!

TDMB:     What are your hobbies outside of softball?
TONYA:   I spend as much time as I can with my kids. I also play in a Volleyball league with the same ladies I played with in high school. we also play in winter tournaments.

TDMB:     Tell us something about U that the people on the softball circuit don't know?
TONYA:  I worked as a Juvenile Residential Officer III at an all boys facility in Dallas. I was the Athletic Coordinator as well as the Head Basketball Coach. Like Shon, I too had to gain the respect of my players and the other coaches because I was a young lady still in college. But I had no problem when we had 2 straight flawless seasons.

TDMB:     Thank U, do U have any shout outs?
TONYA:   I just want to thank God for my health and the ability to do the things I love to do. You of course, for the interview and the opportunity to play. The WOMEN and MEN of Team Dallas Softball, Nothin' Nice Softball Club, the Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., my BFF's Ladybee, Landi, and the TDSMB family, Clay, Canty, and the BSC family, and to everyone I've met and grown to love and know as friends, to those I don't know but will eventually meet, and to those I wish