Jackson State University

Synonymous with success in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, Jackson State University alum Rosemarie Washington is in her third decade leading Lady Tiger volleyball.

Now in her 22nd season as head coach, Washington is one of the premiere coaches in the nation as she continues to build her program on discipline, dedication, hard work and the ability to teach and develop student-athletes. Washington has made her program one of the most successful in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The Lady Tigers won the regular season SWAC Championship in both the Spring 2021 season and the Fall 2021 seasons, winning the program's fourth conference tournament crown in March 2021 and finishing as runners-up in November 2021. JSU  made its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in April 2021, and advanced to National Invitational Volleyball Tournament in December 2021.

The championship tradition began in 2011 when the Lady Tigers won their first Southwestern Athletic Conference title and made their first trip to the NCAA Tournament. They carried their 2011 success into 2012 picking up their second SWAC title and an additional NCAA Tournament appearance. The Lady Tigers repeated the feat for a third time during the 2016 season for a third title and NCAA Tournament appearance. Washington also received the honor of being named SWAC 2011, 2012, and 2016 Volleyball Coach of the Year.
 
In addition to her coaching duties, Washington has served the JSU Division of Athletics in other capacities. From 2009-11, she served as the assistant athletics director of internal affairs, where she oversaw athletics administrative assistants, secretaries, facilities and athletic trainers. She was a member of the JSU APR Task Force from 2010-2012 and the Jackson State Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee from 2009-present. She served on the Southwestern Athletic Conference Strategic Planning Committee (2014-present), the AVCA Division I Volleyball Coaches Committee (2011-2016) and the NCAA Division I Regional Selection Committee (2002-2005, 2011-2015).
 
Washington is a 1977 graduate of Jackson State University with a degree in health and physical education. She served as the Lady Tigers graduate assistant from 1978 to 1980 while earning her master’s in health and physical education. During her two seasons with JSU, she helped establish a successful club team. In 1980, she moved to Baton Rouge, La., to serve as the Southern University head volleyball coach for two seasons.
 
Before her return to JSU, Washington lived in Los Angeles for 18 years, where she operated her own business. She also volunteered as a coach in the youth recreational volleyball and basketball leagues.
 
A native of St. Croix, Virgin Islands Washington was a four-sport athlete before attending JSU. She represented the Virgin Islands on numerous all-star basketball, volleyball and softball teams, and ran track.