University Southern California Trojans
Heritage Association Spotlight: Jeanne Vetter, USC Women's Volleyball
June 28, 2019 | Women's Volleyball, Trojan Athletic Fund, Features
Jeanne played a variety of sports growing up, but didn't excel at all of them. "I wanted to play soccer when I was pretty young and I was put in the goal. Every time the ball would come towards me, I would move out the way so I didn't get my uniform dirty. Soccer wasn't my calling. Neither was basketball. I didn't like contact sports!" But Jeanne's parents had one rule even as they encouraged her athletic ability. "They let me play anything I wanted, but told me that if I started and signed up, I had to finish the season. And I always did."
Jeanne says she learned so many valuable lessons by being involved in sports at such an early age – she learned how to get along with teammates, how to be coachable, how to fail, succeed and fail again. All lessons she carried with her well into adulthood. These tools especially helped her as she became "obsessed" with volleyball. "Up until last year, my parents lived in the same house I grew up in and I could point out the spot on the wall that I would practice my serves religiously. I just loved the sport so much."
However, as much as she loved volleyball, dreams of playing collegiately didn't start until the 9th grade. "I got my first recruiting letter from the University of Georgia. I remember taking it to my mom and saying 'look at this weird letter I got'". Jeanne's mom was born in the 1930s and would tell her much later on in life how surprised she was by the letter as well. "She didn't grow up knowing women could go to college on a sports scholarship. It was surprise to us both." Jeanne's talent didn't go unnoticed and she would end up getting letters from several other top universities. But, once she realized playing at the collegiate level was a viable option, she had only one dream – to play volleyball for UCLA. It was all she could think of even though her dad went to USC. "I suppose part of it was wanting to be different, but all I wanted was to be a Bruin. I hardly paid attention to the other letters I was getting."
Jeanne went on recruiting visits to University of Washington ("to visit friends"), Cal ("they had the academic thing going for them"), and Notre Dame ("Why not?"), but was still holding out to hear from UCLA. She eventually got a letter from Lisa Love, the head coach for USC's women's volleyball program. She agreed to meet with Lisa and when she was offered a scholarship, her response was "Thank you, but I'm waiting to hear from UCLA." Jeanne flinches at the memory of such an answer, but remembers how serious she was about her dream school. But, Lisa had some news for Jeanne that she wasn't ready for. That year, USC and UCLA had only one scholarship spot each on their team and Love broke the news that just the day before, Jeanne's rival was offered the spot at UCLA. "I calmly excused myself from the table and promptly ran to the bathroom and threw up. I was heartbroken."
After much deliberation, Jeanne eventually decided to accept USC's offer and she says she was on campus for less than a week when she knew it was the best decision she had ever made. "USC was like a family from the very beginning for me and that has never stopped." She started off as a bio major and wanted to go to medical school, but faced a tough time with her organic chemistry class. "School came pretty naturally to me, but we were on the road competing and I was missing a lot of class and labs." Fortunately, she had Student-Athlete Academic Services to guide her along. "My advisor helped me explore some of my other options, but I couldn't have made the switch in majors without the help of SAAS. I wanted to love school again and that ended up happening."
Outside of her academic experience, Jeanne says some of her favorite memories from USC involved being a student-athlete. One of her best memories was when she and her teammates beat UCLA for the first time in eight years at UCLA. Other memories, however, came from smaller interactions. "Back when I was in school, all the sports were housed in the same facilities. We got treatment together, we ate together, we studied together. I made so many incredible connections with people of all different cultures and backgrounds and I have to say that all those little memories are what stand out to me."
Jeanne is back on campus now, working at Heritage Hall for Fox Sports as the Director of Partnership Development. She loves being on campus and says she feeds off the energy and promise of the students. "I look at them and remember when I was in their shoes when the hardest thing I ever had to do was get through finals. It's so precious."
Beyond being involved with USC career-wise, Jeanne takes giving back very seriously. She takes part in the mentor-mentee program with student-athletes which she truly enjoys and has participated in countless career days, mock interviews, and networking events. "Every opportunity I've ever had has been because of USC and I want to make sure I give back to the current student-athletes to make that a reality for them." She makes sure to give them as much advice as possible, reminding them to always have fun, study hard, and get the coveted USC degree no matter what ("even if it means coming back to school after your professional career"). Jeanne says her biggest message though, always, is to remind the student-athletes how desirable they are to future employers and professionals. "Everyone wants to hire someone who was a student-athlete at one of the best universities in the country. Nobody can do what they do in four years."
Jeanne maintains that USC is the best decision she ever made. "I've made friends for life. Seventeen of my old teammates showed up for my mother's funeral last year. That shows you the bonds that are made at this place." She, like other Trojans, know what the Trojan Family really is and she values it every day. "USC is like the best friend you may not talk to for a few years, but when you come back in contact, that friend just wants you to do well. Everyone is so incredibly willing to help. Those who aren't part of this family just don't get it. It's an incredible network and a safe space. I'm so grateful to be part of this community and family!"
