Bio

Jessica Gosnell graduated in 1990 with a double major in Biology and French Studies and has gone on to become an endocrine surgeon. Jessica was a two-sport standout in Field Hockey and Lacrosse at Wellesley in the late 1980s. Gosnell served as a team captain for both the field hockey and lacrosse programs, helping the squads to a combined 100 wins over four years. She was an All-Seven Sisters selection in field hockey in 1989 during a senior season that included 16 goals. Her collegiate prowess on the lacrosse field included multiple regional and national All-American honors and New England Women's 8 (NEW 8) All-Conference selections in 1989-90. Following her time at Wellesley, she would go on to represent the United States as a member of the U.S. National Under-24 team.

Academics and athletics dominate my memories of Wellesley. Either I was at the Library or the Sports Center, or traveling to or from a game, or running- always running!

In the fall I played field hockey and in the spring, Lacrosse. When I see beautiful fall foliage, taste a new-crop apple or smell the first wood fires of the season, I always think of Wellesley and field hockey. Now that I live in California, I yearn to be home in New England with any reminder of Fall. Similarly, when the snow melts and mud reigns, I begin to think about Lacrosse, my adopted sport of college. A single waft of BenGay takes me immediately back to the fields.

I loved Wellesley literally from the moment I stepped on campus. I was on a swing tour of colleges, and as a three-sport athlete in my high school in Maine I hoped to play at the collegiate level. The tour stopped when I visited Wellesley. I applied early decision and never looked back. I walked on for tryouts for field hockey before I unpacked.

I have not been able to attend some of the formal reunions for my class, but each time we fly through Boston, my family, including my husband and three children, know where we are stopping first.

Susan Ford was my coach for both sports. Susan was intense, exacting and had extremely high expectations for all of us. I had and still have tremendous respect for her. I remember that she often developed an analysis that was sometimes outside the purview of sports. She seemed to be able to see into the soul of me and my playing; she saw character flaws I didn’t know I had, and saw how they were hindering my performance on the field. I remember these observations of hers acutely, mostly because they were so true. I continue to work on the suggestions she gave me all those years ago.

One of my all-time best Wellesley athletic memories was during penalty shots in a field hockey tournament. The score was tied. The goalie was in her place, I was in mine, and the official blew the whistle. I had several seconds to take my shot, and rather than taking it, I counted slowly in my head "... 1... 2... 3..." and then at the last moment I quickly moved and shot. I remember watching the ball go into the net and that the goalie never moved. I still don’t know where I got the idea to do that, but I’ve always remembered the slowed down moment- the gorgeous fall day, the cheers, but mostly the calm in my mind, the visualization and the focus. 

We athletes all have these “glory days” from the past, but for me, the technique, creating that feeling of inner calm seemed profound and I have always remembered it. I summon it quite a bit now in my job as a surgeon. Athletics have always been such an integral part of my life. Rather than detracting from academics, sports seems to fuel and inspire it. Creating the “beautiful game” that the Brazilians describe - a timeless, tireless dance of movement, technique and training, with an amazing group of women, was and is such a joy.

I am so thankful I was able to be a part of it at such a special place as Wellesley. It is an honor and a delight to be recognized.