A Jersey Blues Testimonial - Softball Alumna Chickie Clayton

Lincroft, NJ - 2016 graduate, and two-year first baseman/outfielder for the Jersey Blues softball team, Chickie Clayton, relays how her discipline, time management, resiliency, teamwork and leadership skills that were learned and developed as a student-athlete are utilized in her professional and personal life today. 

In Clayton's two years on the softball field, she competed in 96 games, produced a .339 batting average, had five home runs, 76 RBI's, earned 1st Team All-GSAC and 2nd Team All-Region. Additionally, Clayton was named to the Dean's List for her academic achievements and was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

"For starters, Brookdale Community College will always hold a special place in my heart. I had excellent professors who taught me so much, coaches who made playing a sport fun, and I created lifelong friendships, especially with my BCC softball teammates. Although two years at Brookdale may not seem long; the discipline, time management, resiliency, teamwork and leadership skills learned and developed by being a student athlete, has become paramount in my professional and personal life today.

I am currently a police officer for the Wall Township, NJ, Police Department and all of those skills/traits are utilized each and every day on the road. The discipline and time management of balancing academics and playing a sport, has helped allow me to easily balance handling multiple calls a day and get my reports done in a timely manner. Resiliency as a student athlete meant overcoming challenges on the field, whether it was winning a tough game or getting out of a hitting slump. Learning how to handle those challenges then, has helped me get through a difficult day now, whether it be a tough call or doing my best to help someone who may be having a bad day.

My teammates at Brookdale were simply the best. We worked through any and all obstacles thrown at us and we were successful day after day on that field. My "teammates" now respond to calls with me and together we handle everything with the utmost professionalism and always get to the best possible outcome. Lastly, leadership. I hope my teammates to this day, look back and remember that at the end of the day, my goal was to always be there for them, to help them whether on or off the field and support them through everything. That mindset sticks with me everyday. Whether for my coworkers, the people of Wall Township, my friends or my family. I am thankful for my experience as a Brookdale Community College student-athlete and I am forever thankful for those who helped me become the person I am today."