Tammy Jule - Athelte of the Week

Just a week after turning 23 Tammy Jule took an afternoon to sit down and chat with me. The Regina beach product walks away from the volleyball court as the U of R's all-time kills leader.

DM - Was volleyball always your passion, your interest?

TJ - I grew up on an acreage and was more involved with horses and stuff like that. My first time playing volleyball would have been in grade 7 and I sat on the bench for half a year. I really enjoyed basketball and was better at it. But in grade 9 I was recruited for a club team and that's where everything started and I couldn't turn back.

To this day Jule still loves horses. She says it is the way you get to know a horse so well that you can just know which way they're going to go. The outdoors and the getting away from the city all appeals to her.

DM - So were you real tall in grade 9, real athletic?

TJ - I was just enough. I started club in grade 9. Actually there was a provincial team tryout. I didn't know about provincial team. Never heard of it. We were encouraged to try out and I thought there was no way I'll make it, so I didn't go. My parents were upset, so they took me to Moose Jaw for the ID camp and I ended up making the team and ended up playing for the youth National team that summer. S it all happened pretty fast.

Over the course of her career Jule played for the Regina Reds Club, Provincial team, Youth National team, Junior National team, the University of Buffalo and the U of R.

DM - back in grade 9, would have you expected all this?

TJ - I was just kinda going week to week, team to team. I didn't expect in my first year playing club to be playing on the National team by any means. So it was all pretty new to me. But as soon as you're on that team, then university becomes more and more of a reality.

DM - What was your time at the U of R like?

TJ - It was great to come home and to be with family and friends. To see familiar faces in the crowd, to play with the girls I grew up with, that was really good. Even getting the chance to help coach some of my now teammates, that was really cool. It was good to have the people close to me that have supported me throughout my career come and watch me.

DM - As volleyball goes, is this it for you?

TJ - I'm not ready to be done. There's a few opportunities that will hopefully come up. They have pro leagues overseas. Europe, Asia, Puerto Rico. I'm talking with an agent and I'd love to do that.

Jule is the go to gal on the team. When the Cougars need a big shot, she's the one who wants the chance to take it.

DM - Does your play translate into who you are off the court?

TJ - I think in some respects. I think my close friends will come to me for advice. If I don't have the answer, I'll hope to sort thru it the best I can.

Enrolled in the faculty of Kinesiology & Health studies Jule is making a switch to Marketing. She credits the similarities to the teamwork aspect of marketing and volleyball that makes that path attractive.

DM - Has your involvement in sports inspired your career choice?

TJ - Absolutely. Sports has had huge impact on my life and I know that it'll definitely continue to.

Tammy is the middle child of five. So far she is the most accomplished on the court, giving her youngest sister a role model. her siblings even take her #10.

DM - Is it important to be a leader?

TJ - I think its real important to be that person, cause those are the people I really want in my life and I love having family and friends that I can look to and that support me and I definitely want to be that for other people.

Tidbits: No superstitions

Drives a Honda Ridgeline named 'Roger' (her parents really like her)

DM - What will you remember the most from the U of R?

TJ - I think there's gonna be some games that stand out more than others and some practices you remember more than others, but more than anything its going to be the friendship. The hard work that you put in, just knowing how much, how you could do it. How if you set your mind to something, you could do it. Even if you're so tired and you feel you can't, there's always a way to push thru it.

It seems no matter what happens Tammy Jule will not have to push her way thru life, instead she'll be leading the pack, pulling others along with her towards the top.