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Thursday, May 1, 2008
Nanny's Legacy
Greater Louisville, KY
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Jennifer Jones and her cousins, Brad and John Allen have made their marks on local high school sports, thanks to the traditions established by their grandmother
First cousins Jennifer Jones and Brad Allen are finishing their senior years at St. Xavier and Assumption. As are all the members of this family, these two are tight. Not only do they run with the same crowd, they have played competitive soccer together since the age of three–thanks to Jennifer being good enough to play on the boys club soccer teams at Mockingbird for six straight seasons. When asked about growing up with Jennifer, Bradley said, “I’d like to say I taught her everything she knows. . . but, unfortunately, I didn’t.”
Jennifer Jones
Growing up with two older brothers and mostly boy cousins, it was normal for Jennifer to play on boys teams while in grade school. “Boys are understood to be more physical, and no one showed me any mercy. I was just treated as one of the guys, which helped me grow as a player,” she says.
As a three-time All-State honoree and two-time regional team member, Jennifer was looking forward to a fantastic senior year. But a knee injury in the first practice forced Jennifer to miss her senior season with the Rockets. Any athlete who has suffered a major setback can understand how this could cripple the spirit. Not for Jennifer. She kept herself occupied by focusing on physical therapy, which would help her reach her college goals and attending her high school team practices and games to encourage team members.
A two-year team captain, Jennifer made time during high school to be a part of the Kentucky Olympic Development Program, she lettered for two years in basketball, plays in summer junior golf tournaments, is a member of the BETA Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a Class Officer at Assumption.
Laura Jones credits the Mockingbird Soccer program and Vince Malcom for developing her daughter as a true soccer player. Jennifer was with the Mockingbird program from age 4 to 17. “The instruction she received and by being allowed to play with the boys teams all those years was advantageous to her game,” says Laura.
Jennifer credits her father for being great at sports and both of her parents for showing her how hard work pays off. “Dad still beats me at everything. I’d have to say that my parents are my role models for working so hard to raise us to be the best that we can be.”
Jennifer has signed to play soccer with the University of Louisville and is excited about joining the Cardinals.
Bradley Allen
At 6’4” you might mistake Brad Allen for a basketball player, which he is--and he can dunk it--but soccer is his true love.
Brad served as captain of the soccer team his freshman year, and was an instrumental part of the undefeated State Championship team this year.
Academically, Brad is part of the National Honor Society and earned Principal’s List this quarter while taking 5 AP classes. Academic/Service Scholarships have been offered through UK, Miami of Ohio, U of L and Centre College.
Well spoken and thoughtful, Brad says he loved growing up with his cousins. “It was great growing up and having Jenny on my team,” he says. “Guys would make comments about how great she was, and I got to say, ‘Yeah, she’s my cousin.’”
He is inspired by being part of a team. “It’s a commitment, you win for the team.” His most exciting moment was winning the state championship in soccer this year.
Being part of a team parallels being part of a family, which easily explains why his role model is his and Jennifer’s grandmother, Nancy Deters–otherwise known as Nanny. “I just love Nanny. I love her humor; I love the way she handles things; I love the way she is such a good influence.”
Nancy played on the field hockey and basketball teams at the University of Louisville from 1951 to 1954. She made it a point to keep her four daughters involved in sports, and of her nine grandchildren, four have had significant sports careers: Beth BecVar played golf for Bellarmine, Ryan Jones plays soccer for UK, Christopher Allen plays soccer for Centre College and Creighton Jones played on St. Xavier’s state championship football team and now attends UK.
John Allen
The youngest boy in the family is John Allen, a freshman at St. X. Before making the decision to play football in high school “because it always seemed like so much fun,” he took home two State Soccer Cup championships for his club team and two City Soccer Championships for Holy Trinity.
Starting at strong safety, and making an interception, John helped his team beat Trinity this year, which made for his most exciting moment thus far.
Academically, John also maintains all A’s and B’s. Brian Brohm is his role model for his obvious skills in football, great sportsmanship and good grades. John hopes to be a starter for the remaining three years on the St. X football team--and win a state championship.
These three cousins excel not only on the field and in the classroom, but also in the community. Bradley coached basketball at Holy Trinity all four years of high school, John referees for Holy Trinity youth team soccer and Jennifer coached summer youth basketball and soccer camps for Assumption. In addition, Jennifer, Brad and his older brother Christopher helped to collect donated soccer cleats and equipment for poor children in Guatemala. Their oldest cousin, Beth BecVar, delivered the equipment on a mission trip with Hearts in Motion.
The family would like to dedicate this article in loving memory of Angela BecVar, one of Nancy’s nine grandchildren, who passed away unexpectedly at age 12. Angela’s spirit and love for sports still inspires the family. Jennifer says: “We want to succeed in her memory.”
Beth Bush is a representative for Reebok International and works as a freelance journalist covering sports and entertainment.
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