DWB Alum Update: 1996 Graduate Jen Scanlon Semioli

DURHAM, N.C.— Over the summer, the Blue Devils will be catching up with Duke women's basketball alumnae to see what they have been up to since leaving Durham. Up next is 1993 All-ACC Freshman team selection Jen Scanlon Semioli.

Semioli, a four year letterwinner from 1993-96, started 93 games and saw action in a total of 118 contests over her career. She averaged double-digit scoring each of her four seasons and finished her career with an 11.7 scoring average.

Since graduating from Duke, what have you been up to?
Since graduating from Duke, I played professionally over in Sweden and then came back to New York and got my master's degree in Elementary Education. I taught in NYC public schools for eight years, two years at Trinity School in Manhattan and left for two to be the women's basketball assistant coach at Princeton University. We moved to Chatham, N.J. five years ago and now I teach Physical Education and Health at a private school in Short Hills called Far Brook School.

Do your kids play basketball/other sports and have you been able to mold them into Duke fans?
Both of my kids, Mia (10) and Milo (7), play all kinds of sports, which has been rewarding. My husband is a former Stanford soccer player (NY Metrostars and LA Galaxy) and teammate on the Metrostars with former Duke standout Brian Kelly, who is one of our best friends. We fight over which is going to be our kids favorite sport - soccer or basketball. We have both coached a lot of their teams and they are definitely Duke basketball fans. My daughter can do a pretty good Luke Kennard imitation.

Have you been able to keep in touch with many former teammates/coaches?
I was blessed with great teammates during my years at Duke. We do stay in touch and try to do an annual trip to Naples, Fla. It is usually Ali Day, Carey Kauffman, Kristina Meiman, Katie Brodnik, Peyton Black, Naz Medhanie and Hilary Howard. Facebook has also helped me stay in touch with some of my former teammates that I don't get to see often.

I also stay in touch with Joanne Boyle and I actually get to see her quite often. My brother is a professor at Virginia and my parents retired in Charlottesville, so we are down there all the time. I go to her games and have gotten the chance to spend time with her daughter which has been great.

Have you been able to make it back to Durham recently?
Two years ago we were supposed to all be at a reunion weekend during the season but it was cancelled because of the huge snow storm. I think the last time I was in Durham was three years ago for a women's game. It has been great watching the women's program stay so successful.

When looking back on your days at Duke, what are some of your favorite memories?
My favorite memories are the times spent with my teammates. I feel fortunate to have gone to school before mobile phones, IPads, etc. We actually talked to each other and had so many great conversations on our bus and plane rides. My favorite games were beating Virginia in the 1995 ACC Tournament after being down by 20 at halftime, our buzzer shot against No. 1 ranked UNC, and of course the four overtime loss to Alabama in the NCAA Tournament. I always tell my teams that I coach that the most memorable game I played in was a loss. It really was an amazing game with so many records.

How has a Duke degree helped you?
My Duke degree has helped me because of the quality of people that I went to school with and have made lifelong friendships with. I am constantly inspired by what they are doing to make the world a better place and their passion towards everything they do. Duke truly is a special place and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be a student athlete at one of the best schools in the country.

DWB Alum Update: 1996 Graduate Jen Scanlon Semioli

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