Where Are They Now - Jessica Steward

Coral Gables, Fla. - Welcome to another edition of the 'Where Are They Now' women's golf series. We are tracking down former Hurricane golfers and chronicling their lives since leaving the University of Miami. Our next UM alum is 2008 graduate Jessica Steward, who graciously answered a few questions.

Name: Jessica Steward
Years attended UM: 2004-2008
Degree earned (if any): Sport Administration/Business Management
Awards: Golfstat National Player of the Week, holds UM’s 36 and 54-hole scoring records

1. Where do you live now and what are you up to these days?
I'm currently the head women's golf coach at IPFW, a Division I university in Fort Wayne, Ind. I'm also a part-time assistant professional at Coyote Creek Golf Club, where I create and instruct the facility's educational programs. I also give private lessons and am a LPGA Certified Teaching Professional.

2. Soon after your career at UM, where did life take you?
I headed straight to the Futures Tour upon graduation, but quickly realized that was not the career for me. I always knew that I had a passion for coaching, and accepted my current position later that summer. I'm now getting ready to start my fifth season at IPFW. Time has certainly flown by!

3. Are you still playing golf?
Yes, but only as a hobby, and not nearly as often as I would like. I would love to keep my game in shape and compete in some professional events, but unfortunately I just don't have the time for that right now.

4. What is your fondest memory about playing for the Hurricanes?
I have several, it's so hard to choose! Winning the Georgia State Pelican Preserve and setting the school's 36 and 54-hole scoring records was a very proud moment in my golfing career. I'm also very thankful for the opportunities I've had to travel to such amazing destinations such as Pinehurst, Kiawah Island and San Francisco to name a few. Off the course, my teammates and I had a lot of fun together while traveling and at home. We loved to sing karaoke at Titanic, go to Monty's for dinner on Friday nights, and go to Riviera Pizza after practice.

5. Do you still keep in touch with your former teammates? If so, who are you closest with?
Yes, I keep in touch with most of them. I just saw Esther Lee at an LPGA seminar last week! I also keep in touch with Tina Miller and Hagen Weintraub. Tiffany Prats is also a college coach, she's the assistant at Maryland, so I run into her every once in a while. Thanks to Facebook, we're all able to keep in touch and see what everybody is up to.

6. Have you raised any children, and if so, how old are they now and what do they do?
No children for me yet!

7. I have to ask, do you keep up with the Canes football team on game days?
Of course! Although they don't televise many games here in the midwest. I live amongst Notre Dame, Purdue and Ohio State fans, so let's just say the Canes aren't too many people's favorite. However, I'm ready and psyched for the Notre Dame game on October 6th!!!

8. Last question, what advice would you give the girls on the team today?
I would tell them to enjoy and take full advantage of the opportunity to play golf for the University of Miami. They have the resources to become the best they can be on the course, in the classroom, and life. When they're looking back on their college careers several years later, they won't remember the bad rounds, but they will remember the lessons they learned from their coaches, teammates, professors and peers.