Jeci Gonzales of University of St. Thomas-Houston, a sophomore power forward on the women’s basketball team, has been selected for the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Character and Community Female Student-Athlete of the Week for the week beginning February 2.

The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student athletes who excel in the field of sports and serve their campus and community.

When Jeci isn’t scoring buckets or dishing the ball out to her teammates, you can find her actively engaged in her school and community. On top of pursuing her master's degree in general business, Jeci also finds time to mentor the next generation of Celts. As a mentor in the freshman symposium program, she offers help to incoming UST students making the transition from high school to college.

Jeci also loves being involved in UST happenings and the various sports opportunities the school offers. She is the treasurer of the Club Sports Association, helping to handle the finances for the program. This helps plan events for students and student athletes, which helps bridge the gap between her peers.

Faced with their backs against the wall, Jeci believes that character is the foundation of athlete success. She adds that being a student athlete at UST has shaped her into the person she is today. She understands that she is a role model on campus and fulfills the role by embodying the University’s four core values. “UST gave me the great opportunity to have this platform on the basketball team to spread goodness, discipline, community, and knowledge every single day.”