The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- November 8, 1999

Demby named 1999 Woman of the Year

For UC Davis track star, award is about 'everything I love to do'

BY KAY HAWES
STAFF WRITER

Jamila Demby, a track and field standout from the University of California, Davis, was named the 1999 NCAA Woman of the Year October 24 at the ninth annual NCAA Woman of the Year Awards Dinner held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Among 10 finalists selected for the award from more than 300 nominations, Demby was recognized for her commitment to academics, athletics and community service.

"This award means a lot to me because it's about everything I love to do," Demby said. "I love to run track, I love school and I love working with kids."

Demby, who will become a first-generation college graduate when she graduates in December with a degree in rhetoric and communications, said much of the credit for her achievements should go to her mother, Deborah Thomas.

"I want to thank my mother for inspiring me to go to college and to get where I am today," she said. "My mother inspired me to go to college so I could get a job I enjoy, since she's never had that opportunity."

Life-saving opportunity

Demby's mother also unknowingly provided her daughter with a chance to demonstrate her character at an early age. Demby had just won her first all-America title at the NCAA Division II championships her freshman year when she learned that her mother was dying of kidney failure.

Even though it would have meant the end of her running career and possibly the end of her college career as well, Demby volunteered to give her mother a kidney. Only days before the surgery, another donor match was found and Demby went back to her life as a student-athlete.

"She's always been a good, happy child," Thomas said of Demby. "Even though she was an only child, she was never selfish. She always shared her toys. She's just a wonderful person. I can totally trust her, and I'll feel very proud when she graduates. That will mean a great deal to me."

Demby has been on the honor roll at UC Davis from 1995 to 1999, and she was the 1995-96 recipient of the Bloss Scholarship.

Demby was an indoor track and field All-America pick in the 1,600-meter relay in 1998 and 1999. In outdoor track and field, she was an all-American in the 800 meters in 1996, 1997 and 1999, and she was an all-American in the 1,600-meter relay in 1998 and 1999. A first-team all-conference pick in the 400 meters in 1996 and 1997, she also was all-conference in the 800 meters in 1996 and 1999. She also took home the university's Women's Track and Field Most Inspirational Award in 1996 and 1999.

Demby's work in the community as a student-athlete has been so fulfilling that she plans to continue it into her professional life. Someday she would like to work in an outreach program mentoring disadvantaged children.

"I just enjoy it," she said of her community service. "I have fun. I get something out of it. But I feel like I'm giving back, too."

Demby volunteered as a Special Olympics coach, instructed physically challenged youth in track events at the ACT Games and instructed junior-high students at the Jacobs Track Clinic. She also participated in various food and clothing drives, organized an event at the Shriner's Hospital and was awarded the university's Outstanding Senior Leadership Award in 1999.

Even with all of those accomplishments, Demby was surprised with her selection as 1999 NCAA Woman of the Year.

"This was really unexpected," she said. "I'm so surprised and happy. I really appreciate this award, and I really appreciate getting an award for doing all the things I love to do."

Even without a prepared speech, Demby was well-received by the audience of nearly 700, which gave her a standing ovation when the award was announced.

"I just didn't think much of my own chances," she said. "I was just in awe of everybody else. It was just a pleasure to be up there with everyone who has accomplished so much."

ESPN will broadcast an abbreviated version of the NCAA Woman of the Year program December 9 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The half-hour show will be repeated December 13 at 4 a.m.