Central Michigan University Athletics
Jewel Cotton Earns Honor for Perseverance
7/20/2018 12:00:00 AM | Student-Athlete Services
July 20, 2018
Cotton scored 736 points and grabbed 534 rebounds in 97 games for the Chippewas. She was a Third Team All-Mid-American Conference selection her senior year and the MAC's Sixth Player of the Year her junior season.
Jewel Cotton, a forward on the Central Michigan women's basketball team from 2012-2017 and now a graduate assistant with CMU Athletics in the Institutional Support Services department, is one of the Student-Athletes of the Month for the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals.
The award, announced earlier this week, recognizes student-athletes who have shown determination to overcome personal, academic and emotional challenges to find success.
Cotton graduated with her bachelor's degree in May 2017, the first in her family to earn a college degree.
From the N4A website:
"Born into an abusive and financially unstable household, she was the oldest of five children. Cotton always felt the social insecurities of being the "new" student because her family moved so frequently. As a result, she consistently earned mediocre grades, but excelled in basketball, which became her motivation and driving force. Though she found solace on the hardwood, Cotton's life hit a sudden obstacle. During her senior year of high school, she collapsed during a game of pickup basketball and was ultimately diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism.
"Once she adjusted to the harsh medication, Cotton had a difficult time transitioning into college due to bad decision making and a lack of motivation. She was dismissed from the basketball team because of her actions. After being reinstated, she suffered another setback when she tore her ACL. Mentally, Cotton realized that she needed to plan for her future in order to be an inspiration to her siblings.
"She began to change her life by becoming a better student and better athlete, and gained the trust of the people that wanted to see her succeed. Cotton surrounded herself with positive individuals and worked diligently to be a shining example for her family."
Cotton scored 736 points and grabbed 534 rebounds in 97 games for the Chippewas. She was a Third Team All-Mid-American Conference selection her senior year and the MAC's Sixth Player of the Year her junior season.
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