University of Connecticut Athletics
"If You Can See Her, You Can Be Her."
3/6/2026 12:01:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
A Conversation with UConn Volleyball Alum Jade Strawberry (CLAS '17)
STORRS, Conn.- Following her four-year career as a member of the UConn women's volleyball team, Jade Strawberry ('17) has quickly ascended to stardom in the sports world. Strawberry was named one of the 2024 New Voices Under 30 by Sports Business Journal for her leadership of her organization's Females in Flag initiative, partnering with NFL FLAG to increase the number of young women athletes in flag football at every level.
In her UConn volleyball career (2013-2016), Strawberry played in 346 sets, recording 768 kills, 840 digs, 109 blocks and 57 aces. Strawberry was named to the American Athletic All-Conference Second Team in 2015, tallying team-highs in kills (350) and aces (27).
Catch up with Strawberry below in this alumni spotlight.
What motivated you to choose UConn?
"I remember sitting down with my parents and talking about my goals with volleyball because of all the time and resources we put into it. In the summer of my junior year, I road tripped with my parents on a visit to UConn. Immediately I felt at home, I remember committing on the spot. It was a big school vibe with that tight-knit campus feel, it just felt right."
What was your most memorable experience about UConn volleyball?
"There are so many to choose from! I remember playing a game before First Night and having a large crowd in Gampel, that was a really great experience. UConn will always be memorable to me because I met my best friends for life there. We spent every second together, whether that was in season on travel trips, or competing in the spring season."
After you graduated UConn, you went back home to teach elementary school and coach your younger sister's team. Can you talk about those experiences and what it taught you?
"Being fresh out of college and having the experience playing at a Division I school, I was able to make an immediate impact, passing on lessons and skills I learned at the collegiate level. I was a challenging coach, especially with my younger sister, who was committed to playing at Boston College, but I think it was valuable because it held the girls to a high standard, to push them to maximize their abilities on the court."
Can you talk about your journey from being a collegiate student-athlete and coaching, to working in sports?
"I started working at NCSA (Next College Student Athlete), an organization that specializes in helping high school student-athletes get recruited to the collegiate level. I worked on the NCSA events team as a recruiting and event coordinator and joined RCX Sports. At RCX Sports, I worked my way up to chief of staff, overseeing and managing the Females in FLAG initiative."
Tell us more about the work that you do with Females in FLAG.
"Females in FLAG has a mission to build a pathway for women and girls in flag football and sport overall. The work we do with Females in FLAG is so important because we are building that pathway to sanctioning women's flag football at the high school level and collegiate level. (Flag football was recently added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program.) We are always looking to grow female participation in sport in our partnership with NFL FLAG and give young girls and women opportunities in flag football. "
What are some valuable pieces of advice you can share to women and girls that are looking to work in sports?
"I always like to say if you can see her, you can be her. Continue to work hard, put yourself out there and be unafraid to share your opinion. You have a seat at the table for a reason. Network everywhere you go, make connections, and continue to build your brand. There are so many pathways in sports to try new things and make your impact felt."
