Jordan Whitley

Classroom

An exercise science and applied kinesiology major, Jordan Whitley is a three-time All-Conference Academic Team selection, as well as a two-time NFCA Division I All-America Scholar Athlete. To be eligible for these awards, a student-athlete must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher, while the NFCA Award pushes that standard to a 3.5 GPA.

As a freshman in 2013, Whitley picked up Big EAST All-Academic Team honors and NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete accolades. In 2014, the then sophomore was named an American Athletic Conference All-Academic Selection. Most recently, she was deemed a Spring 2015 Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

Character

Whitley is always there to offer a helping hand, even when she is in the midst of completing her own tasks. When she is in the need of assistance, she is tactful and thoughtful when asking for help. As mentioned in her active role in community service, Whitley enjoys volunteering with her former travel team. Running practices and training the young athletes in her spare time truly encompasses her helpful nature and passion to pass along what she has learned.

Following graduation, Whitley plans to remain in coaching and to expand her career in that role. The senior wants to progress even further with hopes of eventually becoming a senior women’s administrator for a Power 5 Conference school.

Community

Whitley is an avid participant in the softball program’s community outreach. Whitley can be found dedicating her time to Elijah’s Promise, a soup kitchen in New Brunswick, N.J., where the student-athletes assist with preparing and distributing food to those in need. The senior infielder also enjoys Read Across America, an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for children in the community to celebrate reading.
In addition to community service opportunities with her teammates, Whitley gives back to her former travel team, the Delaware Cobras. For the past five years, Whitley has served as a mentor and volunteer coach for the Cobras, running practices and training camps. She has passed on her passion for the sport of softball with about 80 kids through the organization along the way.

Competition

Whitley, a 2015 NFCA All-Region Third Team selection, proved to be RU’s most consistent hitter throughout the Scarlet Knights’ inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference. The then junior registered team-highs in hits (62) and doubles (13), while leading the team with a .342 batting average in conference play. Whitley’s 62 hits on the year tied for fourth in the single-season record books, while her hits also included her first triple and home runs of her collegiate career.

Starting all 49 games on the season, Whitley posted a .500 slugging percentage and a .453 on-base percentage in a team-leading 166 at bats. Her efforts helped guide Rutgers to its third highest team hitting percentage (.315) and hits total (433) in program history.