Volleyball's Jewell Dobson: Where Are They Now?
7/23/2020 12:14:00 AM | General, Women's Volleyball
A small-town girl from Shepherdsville, Kentucky, she came to Lipscomb in August 2011. She left with a Player of the Year trophy, three All-Conference selections, two All-Tournament Team nods, and two ASUN Team Championships. It's no wonder she was recently named to the ASUN Conference All-Decade Team for 2010-19. Jewell Dobson is now a high school teacher and coach in the Nashville area, and she generously shared a brief conversation this week with LipscombSports.com.
What years did you compete for Lipscomb?
I played volleyball at Lipscomb from 2011 through 2015 under head coach Brandon Rosenthal. The assistant coaches I played under were Samantha Crane (Sullivan), Jeff Wismer, and Billy Ebel.
What teammate was most memorable?
This is a difficult question! I've loved all my teammates and played on some incredible teams during my time at Lipscomb. But if I have to choose, I'd have to say my memories are strongest with Lauren Ford – she was my roommate for multiple years and we became (and still remain) very close friends. I specifically remember us being called a "dynamic duo" our junior year since we had so much success as an outside/middle pair at the net.
What degrees have you earned?
I graduated from Lipscomb with my Bachelor of Arts in Education (English Teaching) in 2015, and I graduated with my Master of Education degree in 2016.
Why did you attend Lipscomb?
When I first toured Lipscomb, I instinctively knew it was where I was meant to be. I love the city of Nashville. I also remember being impressed by the culture of the athletic department, and specifically the culture of the volleyball program. The Lipscomb Volleyball program created a familial yet competitive culture that I found very attractive. It truly felt like I was walking into a family.
What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?
Another difficult question ... my years at Lipscomb are filled with so many great memories. The first one that comes to mind though is defeating Kansas at Kansas my senior year (2014). At the time they were ranked top 25 in the nation and it was such a fun game. I'll never forget the celebration in the locker room with Brandon dancing in the middle!
Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?
In very different ways, my coaches and my teammates influenced me the most. Brandon [Rosenthal] and Billy [Ebel] saw potential in me I never even imagined I possessed. I gained so much confidence in myself because of them.
There is no way I could have been so successful without my teammates. Volleyball is such a team sport, and my teammates showed me the true meaning of the word "teammate."
What is the most valuable lesson you learned in your time at Lipscomb?
Time is precious. We are all given a certain amount of time and it is up to each of us to determine what we will do with it. I learned to cherish every second of life at Lipscomb, because the time is valuable and it goes by way too fast (even when you're given an unexpected extra year!)
Who was your favorite professors?
An English professor, Matt Hearn, is one that automatically comes to mind. Not only did I enjoy his classes, but he always seemed genuinely interested in how I was doing, and that meant a lot to me.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, which is just south of Louisville.
What do you do now?
I am in my fifth year of teaching, and I am beginning my first year teaching English at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville. I am also the varsity volleyball assistant coach there.
Tell us about your family:
I currently live by myself while my parents and my sister live in Kentucky. I am still great friends with many of my Lipscomb teammates, whom I also consider extended family.
FAST FINISH:
You can reach Jewell via email at dobsonjewell@gmail.com.
What years did you compete for Lipscomb?
I played volleyball at Lipscomb from 2011 through 2015 under head coach Brandon Rosenthal. The assistant coaches I played under were Samantha Crane (Sullivan), Jeff Wismer, and Billy Ebel.
What teammate was most memorable?
This is a difficult question! I've loved all my teammates and played on some incredible teams during my time at Lipscomb. But if I have to choose, I'd have to say my memories are strongest with Lauren Ford – she was my roommate for multiple years and we became (and still remain) very close friends. I specifically remember us being called a "dynamic duo" our junior year since we had so much success as an outside/middle pair at the net.
What degrees have you earned?
I graduated from Lipscomb with my Bachelor of Arts in Education (English Teaching) in 2015, and I graduated with my Master of Education degree in 2016.
Why did you attend Lipscomb?
When I first toured Lipscomb, I instinctively knew it was where I was meant to be. I love the city of Nashville. I also remember being impressed by the culture of the athletic department, and specifically the culture of the volleyball program. The Lipscomb Volleyball program created a familial yet competitive culture that I found very attractive. It truly felt like I was walking into a family.
What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?
Another difficult question ... my years at Lipscomb are filled with so many great memories. The first one that comes to mind though is defeating Kansas at Kansas my senior year (2014). At the time they were ranked top 25 in the nation and it was such a fun game. I'll never forget the celebration in the locker room with Brandon dancing in the middle!
Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?
In very different ways, my coaches and my teammates influenced me the most. Brandon [Rosenthal] and Billy [Ebel] saw potential in me I never even imagined I possessed. I gained so much confidence in myself because of them.
There is no way I could have been so successful without my teammates. Volleyball is such a team sport, and my teammates showed me the true meaning of the word "teammate."
What is the most valuable lesson you learned in your time at Lipscomb?
Time is precious. We are all given a certain amount of time and it is up to each of us to determine what we will do with it. I learned to cherish every second of life at Lipscomb, because the time is valuable and it goes by way too fast (even when you're given an unexpected extra year!)
Who was your favorite professors?
An English professor, Matt Hearn, is one that automatically comes to mind. Not only did I enjoy his classes, but he always seemed genuinely interested in how I was doing, and that meant a lot to me.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, which is just south of Louisville.
What do you do now?
I am in my fifth year of teaching, and I am beginning my first year teaching English at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville. I am also the varsity volleyball assistant coach there.
Tell us about your family:
I currently live by myself while my parents and my sister live in Kentucky. I am still great friends with many of my Lipscomb teammates, whom I also consider extended family.
FAST FINISH:
- Favorite food: anything Italian
- Favorite TV show or movie: New Girl
- Favorite Bible scripture: currently John 1:5 – "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."
- Favorite sports team: Lipscomb Volleyball...duh!
- Pet peeve: the wrong use of "your" and "you're"
- Person I most admire: my grandmother
- Person I'd most like to meet: Julie Andrews
- Pick one – salad or dessert: dessert
- Dream vacation spot: London, England (Disney World is a close second)
- Early morning or late night person? late night
You can reach Jewell via email at dobsonjewell@gmail.com.
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