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Coach Spotlight | Jasmine Bravo Brown '09
Get to know GPS Head Varsity Volleyball and MS Basketball Coach
Jasmine Brown ’09 serves as the GPS varsity volleyball coach. And is a motivator. She's one who inspires. A facilitator. Not to mention she's an all-star player who has also been recognized for her coaching success. With all of these qualities and roles, and as the head varsity volleyball coach at GPS, Brown helps girls find their confidence and self-esteem through sports.
While at GPS, Brown was a star triple-sport player. Captain of the volleyball and basketball teams as a senior, she led the volleyball team to win state titles her junior and senior years, among many other accolades, including the Division II triple-jump title in track.
She attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she played volleyball for four years and earned her bachelor’s in social work. Between coaching club and high school volleyball teams, she began working on her master’s in social work, which led to intern and work at nonprofits in the Knoxville area committed to helping people get back on their feet.
Today, in addition to coaching varsity volleyball and Middle School volleyball and basketball, Brown works as Assistant Director of Advancement Services, managing the school’s donor database and providing communication to the school’s generous supporters. She taps into her background in social work and engaging with clients to support both her work in Advancement Services and girls on the court.
While Brown and the varsity team fell short of their goal of going to the state tournament in the 2019-20 season, Brown applauded the seniors for their leadership and the team for their strong relationships, which can dictate success in a sport that relies on teammates to put the ball in the best position to score.
“The girls had a strong bond outside of volleyball, which made it cool to work together on the court,” Brown says. “We didn’t reach our goal, but I think the relationships and chemistry they had were really special.”
Going in to her third season as a GPS coach, Brown looks forward to creating a culture of support and success on and off the court.
“We have a lot of room to grow and develop as a team, and I’m excited to see what that looks like,” Brown says. She’s always evaluating and reassessing her work as a coach, considering how best to help girls train and thrive. “I reflect after each match, and after every season, on what I can do better to help my team and put that into play.”
Serving as a Facilitator
Whether on or off the court, Brown is a facilitator—setting up plays for athletes, helping young players hone their game, or helping people in her past positions related to community service and well-being. Her love of volleyball started in a PE class before coming to GPS, and Brown says she picked it up quickly.
“I like the pace of volleyball—there’s always something new and exciting happening, and I get to the next point quickly,” she says. “As a setter, I loved setting up my teammates and helping them get the final point. I like the thrill of points and evaluating our opponents. Volleyball has real competitiveness and grit. It’s so exciting.”
After leaving Knoxville, Brown, an assistant coach for the volleyball team at University of Louisville, dug into the high intensity of college ball and learned how to help girls take their games from good to great, something she brings back to her alma mater today.
“At Louisville I really supported the girls and got a lot of experience with recruitment and strategy,” Brown says. “Having an insider view of what college coaches look for helps me shape younger girls on and off the court. I know what it takes to mentally and physically play at a competitive collegiate level—and I also understand the academics and can guide girls in that way, too.”
Brown was in the honors program at UTK, winning a chancellor award, and she was a McWhorter postgraduate scholarship finalist.
“GPS prepared me for college academically, and the GPS community supported me every step of the way,” she says. “My peers, teachers, and coaches all helped me while I was there. It’s nice to be back on campus and be able to serve as a support for girls at GPS today.”
Lessons from the Game
For many, including Brown, sports such as volleyball offer an outlet and change from everyday life. She likes the intense focus during the game, and she’s excited to work with middle and high school-age girls again.
“Volleyball is a place girls can go beyond their day-to-day lives, and it’s not as serious as whatever might be happening off the court,” Brown says. “I’ve learned so much about interacting and engaging with people from volleyball. I learned how to stay focused on the team’s goal, no matter what else I’m feeling. I’ve learned how to share my life with my teammates. We can share in each other’s successes and defeats, too.”
Brown is still friends with her teammates from GPS, who have become like family to her. She looks forward to helping girls find confidence on the court and grow as a team and as individuals.
“Being confident as a player overflows into the rest of your life,” Brown says. “There’s so much pressure today to look or be a certain way, and it’s so important for girls to find confidence and a positive self-esteem from practice and time in the gym.”
Brown appreciates the all-girls environment GPS provided for her to thrive as a student and volleyball player.
“I was hesitant before going to GPS as a student, but as soon as I stepped on campus I fell in love with it because it’s all about the girls,” Brown says. “I was never hesitant to speak up in class, and I always felt valued and supported. GPS gave me confidence in who I am and wanted to be going forward.”
