Feb. 23, 2010
View Archived Issues/Subscribe
First as a guard that led Hillsboro High School to a 32-2 record as a senior and now as a college senior with two SEC Tournament Championships on her resume at Vanderbilt, Jessica Mooney has been a household name around basketball circles in Nashville for years. Armed with outstanding quickness and an uncanny ability to get to the basket, Mooney has been driving opposing SEC defenses crazy since making the 3.1-mile move from the gymnasium at Hillsboro High School to Memorial Gym in 2006. Mooney causes nightmares for opposing teams on the basketball court, but off the floor, she is much more accustomed to helping others realize their dreams. Since she was 16, Mooney has had an active role in the Charles Davis Foundation, which was created by Mooney’s cousin and Vanderbilt Hall of Famer, Charles Davis. The foundation provides programs that enhance the lives of residents in Nashville’s most impoverished areas.
On why she enjoys working in the community
I’ve always been around people who have given back. Seeing their generosity has been such an influence on me and made such an impact in my life, and I want to make sure that I do the same. I also enjoy giving back because I love being around kids, and that’s a big part of it, as well.
On being able to play in front of her hometown
It’s great to be able to play in Nashville. I love being close to home, which is one of the first reasons I chose to come here. It’s exciting to be able to play in front of the people that I love and grew up with.
On growing up in a family of Vanderbilt fans
We’ve had season tickets and been coming to Vanderbilt games for years. We’ve always been big Vanderbilt fans and have supported the school. I remember coming to a lot of games with my dad when I was 8.
On being a senior on the team
It is different to look back to when I was a freshman and now being a senior. When you are a freshman, you just always view some people as being seniors like Dee (Davis), Caroline (Williams) and Carla (Thomas). To think about how the freshmen now view me as a senior kind of seems crazy. Time has certainly flown by.
On taking on a leadership role with the younger players
I like being a leader. I liked learning from all the upperclassmen over the years, and now as a senior myself, I want to make sure I am able to do for the freshmen what the seniors have done for me over the years.
On staying in the Nashville community
I’m not sure what I want to do after I graduate in May with a degree in (human and organizational development). I want to live in Nashville, but if something takes me out of state, I’d go, but eventually I want to live in Nashville.
