Fifth season soccer player Jamie Tatum received Offensive Player of the Week in the Mountain West Conference, making her the first soccer player of the season to receive this honor.
Tatum is an attacking midfielder and in her fifth season with the team. Throughout her career with UW Athletics, Tatum has been through a new coaching staff and her own graduation.
The graduate student from Highlands Ranch, CO, received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in Spring 2022 and is now continuing her education in the Health Service Administration program. While advancing her career, Tatum creates new goals for herself and the rest of the soccer season.
“I think our main goal was to qualify for the [conference] tournament and we’ve achieved that. So next is winning the conference tournament and going to the NCAA tournament,which has never been done before. So I think that’s our goal,” Tatum said.
“That’s my role, I mean, I’ve been with this program for a long time and it’s kind of been a sad and sore season. So it’s exciting to finally have an exciting end and I’m going to look forward to it.”
Two years ago, University of Wyoming Soccer got a new coaching staff. Colleen Corbin is the new head coach for the team replacing Pete Cuadrado and company. Tatum notes how much the new coaches have impacted the soccer team in the last two years.
“I had different coaches that recruited me here before they came in. And probably my favorite memory is when our new coaches came because they really just changed our culture and it’s been amazing since.”
Even after receiving the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week, Tatum still credits her success as a team win.
“I think it’s just reassurance with all the hard work and everything. I credit my teammates and coaches because I wouldn’t be able to be in the position I am without them,” Tatum said.
Tatum also notes that this award is not only the success of herself or the team, but of Wyoming as a whole.
“I think it’s huge for Wyoming because in our conference, in the past, we haven’t been respected as much as other teams. I would say it’s exciting that we’re finally getting recognized and other people are paying attention to us and we are making some noise .”
Outside of academics, Tatum finds joy in hanging out with her friends and doing other activities.
“I have a pretty laid back personality when it comes to stuff I do outside of soccer, like just hanging out with friends. Seeing movies, going to other athletic events I really enjoy. I’m excited for men’s basketball, which will be fun.”
