University of Houston Athletics
Where Are They Now: Jessica Valis
4/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By Jazz Tamez
Athletics Communications Intern
Today, the University of Houston softball team is a highly recognized and acclaimed team that poses a threat on the national front, but it hasn't always been. It is the cumulative efforts of former Cougars that paved the way for Houston Softball to achieve national prominence.
Among those helping to place UH in the national light was Shiner, Texas, native, Jessica Valis.
Valis explained that, despite the offers from other schools, she chose Houston so that she could play softball alongside her twin sister, Haley, just as she had from childhood and through their years at St. Paul High School.
"I came to the University of Houston because I loved how UH treated me on my visit. UH is also where my sister wanted to go, so that's where we decided to go together," Valis said. "I think that was the determining factor, I ultimately wanted to stay with my sister."
Upon her arrival at UH in 2005, Valis almost immediately became a standout player. She set several school records, many of which still stand to this day, and received numerous accolades including earning First Team All-Conference honors each of her four years and was named C-USA Player of the Year in 2007.
But Valis received more than the title of being an athlete during her time at UH. She developed skills that would help her become a valuable player in the game of life.
"Playing softball in college really taught me to set high expectations for myself and keep those high standards, not only for myself but for our coaching staff as well as my teammates," Valis said. "Being able to have such a strict schedule and be on time and still get your school work done was a balancing act, but it truly affected me and the way I live my life today."
After graduating in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in consumer science and merchandising and a minor in marketing, Valis went on to share her knowledge and passion for softball with others, in hopes of contributing to and affecting their lives in the same way that hers had been.
Valis went on to coach in the professional ranks. After helping the Akron Racers in the National Professional Fastpitch League reach the Championship Series in 2010, Valis returned to UH as a volunteer assistant for the Cougar softball team and served as an assistant coach for the 2012-2013 season.
Following the 2013 season, the Cougar softball coach accepted an offer to become Junior Varsity head coach and Varsity assistant coach at North Shore High School, where she is currently coaching for her second consecutive year.
"Going from coaching college students to high school students has been a drastic change for me. However, I really do like coaching at the high school level because they're a lot more willing to work and easier to mold because they are less experienced as college players," Valis said.
Her sister, Haley, described Valis' coaching style as stern.
"She's out there for a purpose. But I think when she sees a kid successful or sees a kid listen and take what she has given them and made it into their own, that gives her pride and joy," Haley said. "It means that she's carrying something on and giving something back that she's gotten from somebody throughout her years."
Valis hopes that she can be a role model to the young ladies she coaches in the same way the coaches she's had throughout her life were to her.
"I'm trying to teach my young ladies that - after you get done playing in high school, and even if you don't play in college - you have to know what's expected of you. Whether it's in college or in the workforce, I like to give them the opportunity to see the big picture and trying to lead them and show them the right way," Valis said. "I try to teach them to get the grades in the classroom, work hard when they're with the softball team and try to help people out, both on and off the field."
