Jess Coates

Classroom

Nicholls State University midfielder Jess Coates has excelled in the classroom, maintaining a 3.6 GPA as a student-athlete majoring in education. At the conclusion of the 2014 season, Coates was honored for her academic efforts as a member of the Southland Conference All-Academic First Team.

Character

Voted team captain by her fellow Colonel teammates, Coates has been an inspirational leader for the Nicholls squad both on and off the field. Her example has been instrumental in the success of the Colonels over the last three years and is a significant reason that Nicholls has had its two most successful seasons in program history over the last two years. Coates’ leadership helped Nicholls earn the most wins in program history, the most conference wins in program history and the first postseason win in program history.

Community

Coming from an underprivileged area in Sydney, Australia, Coates has a desire to give back to her community. She routinely volunteers by visiting cancer patients at the Thibodaux Regional Cancer Treatment Center and also visits local schools to discuss the importance of education. Coates volunteers each year at the annual Nicholls Soccer Camp, which is offered free to the local community. This year’s camp fielded more than 300 elementary-aged children.

Competition

Coates has been an outstanding member of the Nicholls soccer team. Last season she was named to the All-Southland First Team, the NSCAA All-Region Team, and she received Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association Honorable Mention honors. She led the Colonels with seven assists and was second on the team in both goals (five) and points (17) in 2014. Coates led the Nicholls defense to six shutout victories on the year, including a 1-0 triumph over McNeese State in the conference tournament, securing the program’s first ever postseason win.