Dear Ladies and Gentleman

It's an honor for me to have the opportunity to stand before you tonight as an inductee of the 2012 University of South Florida's Athletic Hall of Fame Class. I am truly humbled, honored and blessed to be in this year's class with the great Mr. Lee Roy Selmon and Chucky Atkins. I would like to thank the Hall of Fame Committee for its decision to induct me into the Hall of Fame. This is such an incredible honor and privilege, an accomplishment I will always cherish with great pride.

There is no possible way I could stand up here tonight and thank everyone that played a role in my being here, but I would like to take this time to recognize some of those individuals.

Mom

First, I would like to thank my mother Kathy Thomas - she has taught me everything about the game of life, knowing the difference between right and wrong and to be confident to always choose right as well as to be confident in who I am and what I stand for. Mom, you have been with me every step of the way thru the good times and the bad that I have experienced throughout my life you have always been there to encourage, console, and motivate me when I needed it most. Mom you have made a lifetime of sacrifices for me and I want to thank you for that in front of everyone tonight.

Family

Next I would like to thank some of my family members who were able to join me in celebrating this experience tonight. My aunt Felecia Lewis who has been a huge support system throughout my entire life she is a woman of great character and humor as well she has always been there when I needed her. My Pastor Runette C Jones who doesn't realize that she is like a second mother to me she has spoken so many profound and encouring words that have given me hope and inspiration. My Uncle Eric Snead thank you for being that patient loving uncle who taught us how to ride our bikes and even tie our shoes thank you. And to My Uncle Chief Terrance Thomas who has served over 20 years in the United States Navy I know that you have always been proud of me and bragged about me to your navy buddies I would like to let you know tonight that I am very proud of you as well for serving our country for 23 years we salute and thank you. Thank you family for believing in me through it all. All of your support and understanding throughout my life gave me the strength to continue when I felt like giving up. I know that in whatever endeavors I decide to pursue in my life you will always be proud of me no matter what. Thank you and I love you all.

High school Coach

To my highschool coach Annette Powell - I can't even begin to tell you how much of an impact she has made in my life she was the kind of coach who cared about her players in all aspects of life. She is a woman of great character and elegance. She also was a no nonsense coach for example whenever I would miss a play or defensive assignment she would always stomp her foot with high heels shoes and yell JESSIE!!! all in rhythm I knew immediately when she stomped her foot that Uhhhh OHHHH I messed up but I also knew that was the perfection in her as well whenever she was on the court coaching you could see her passion and love not only for the game of basketball but for her players as well she always treated us as if we were her daughters and we all loved her as if she were our mother. Thank you coach Powell for getting me prepared to transition to the collegiate level you will always be a part of my life forever.

College Coach

To coach Jose Fernandez - thank you for taking a chance on the skinny girl from Ocala bringing her to Tampa teaching me the nuances of the game and the freedom to perform on the biggest stage The Big East Conference. Coach Fernandez you have been like a father to me whenever I needed you, you have been there. I remember the day you came to do your home recruiting visit you sat in my living-room and my mom said make sure you take care of my baby and you said Don't worry mama Kathy I will and you kept true to your word. It wasn't by chance that our lives crossed path but it was destiny we will always have a special bond forever Coach Fernandez Thank you for everything. Also I would like to thank all of my assistant coaches for helping and guiding me through my collegiate experience and my teammates for allowing me to shine. I would like to recognize Harry Elifson a former assistant at USF and a relentless recruiter coach Fernandez and Coach Elifson worked together diligently and strategically during my recruiting process I always knew USF were at my games because I always saw coach Elifson wearing his infamous USF vest I could spot that vest from a mile away. Coach Fernandez and Coach Elifson the vest strategy worked I finally gave in. Thanks Coach Elifson for everything you will always have a special place in my heart.

Thank you to all of the boosters and alumni who allow the Student athletes at USF to excel on and off the playing fields we appreciate all of your support. USF has allowed me to obtain my degree in communications, further my basketball career professionally and even establish JESSICA DICKSON 4 KIDS INC a non for profit Foundation.

Conclusion

I have been asked this question a million times: If you had it to do all over again, would you choose USF or would you choose a different University? I tell everyone who asks that question without hesitation I would choose University of South Florida in a heartbeat. USF is by far the Best school in the Nation. GO BULLS!!!!