As the EC Jags gear up for tryouts and youth camps in Philomath, OR, we’re excited to introduce two dynamic guest speakers who will be at the event to motivate and guide athletes both on and off the court. These speakers bring unique experiences, offering invaluable insights into the journey ahead.
As a senior at Oregon State, Tiara Bolden is a highly accomplished basketball player, but her path to success has been paved with numerous challenges and triumphs along the way. Her basketball journey is one marked by perseverance, adaptability, and growth. Coming out of Churchill High School in Eugene, OR, she went on to play at Eastern Arizona College for two years. “My first year was difficult,” she admits. “The team was incredibly talented, and it was the first time I had to truly adapt and learn basketball from girls with more experience.” But by her second year, everything changed. The majority of the team graduated, and her assistant coach stepped up to the head coach position. Only Tiara and one other teammate remained, and this brought an unexpected opportunity.
“This was probably the best thing for me because I had become super close with my assistant coach,” Tiara shares. “She trusted me to become a captain, and that year was one of the hardest, but also the most rewarding.” The challenges pushed Tiara to become mentally tougher and work even harder. “I learned that details truly mattered, and anything can be achieved if you have a winning mindset.”
That mindset paid off when Tiara led her team to win both the regional championship and her conference, cutting down the net twice and winning rings. Although they lost in the first round of nationals, the experience fueled her hunger for success even more. “The day after the tournament, I received an offer from La Salle University, and I committed!”
At La Salle, Tiara faced new challenges, learning to be versatile and play different positions, often adapting to roles down in the post. “My word of the year was resilience,” she reflects. However, by the end of her junior year, she decided to move back home and finish her last year closer to family, later committing to Oregon State. “I believe that if I hadn’t learned everything from my previous schools, I wouldn’t have been ready for this moment.”
Through all of these experiences, Tiara has learned the importance of resilience, adaptability, and maintaining a strong mindset. Her message for the athletes is simple but powerful: trust the process and put in the work every day. “Camps and tryouts are so important,” she emphasizes. “This opportunity may be the start of your journey—you never know what will happen!”
Dr. Barry Jerkins brings a completely different perspective to the EC Jags tryouts, offering wisdom from his extensive leadership experience outside the basketball world. A Navy veteran, former president of the Linn-Benton National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and motivational speaker, Dr. Jerkins has made it his mission to inspire and uplift communities. His work spans from founding the first-ever NAACP College Branch at Oregon State University to serving on Oregon’s Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
Dr. Jenkin’s message is universal: teamwork and perseverance are key to success, on and off the court. “One player can’t win a game alone,” he emphasizes. “It takes a team effort.” He believes that camps and tryouts are not just about skill-building, but about fostering mentorship, trust, and positive role models within the community.
Greatly influenced by Dr. Cal O. Henry, his mentor and advisor, Dr. Jerkins has carried forward lessons on leadership and community involvement. As an ordained minister with a Ph.D. in Metaphysics, Dr. Jerkins will speak on overcoming life’s challenges, emphasizing that success is about more than just winning—it’s about personal growth and resilience.
When Marion Clark, the owner and president of the EC Jags, asked Dr. Jerkins to speak at the event, he knew Dr. Jerkins’ insights would resonate deeply with players. His message of motivation, inspiration, and the importance of community support will surely leave a lasting impact.
October 12th: Dr. Barry Jerkins
Try-Outs: 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM
Camp: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM (Ages 7-12)
October 13th: Dr. Barry Jerkins and Tiara Bolden
Try-Outs: 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM
Camp: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM (Ages 7-12)