MOBILE, Ala. — Entering her senior season, University of South Alabama center Veronica Cherizol has made a long journey to become a leader for the Jaguars.

Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Cherizol moved to the United States when she was two years old.  She said her mother’s sister started the process of the family moving.  “When I was four months old, my aunt brought my mom to the United States, and then my mom started the process for the rest of us,” said Cherizol.  “She came back to Haiti, and we all moved to Miami when I was two.”

Cherizol said her mother hoped the move would provide greater opportunities for her children.  “She always says it’s because she wanted us to have a better life.  In Haiti, they think of the United States as a way out.” 

As a diverse city, Miami allowed her to feel closer to home.  “When we first moved there, we stayed in Little Haiti, so there were a lot of other Haitians, but there were a lot of different cultures as well,” she stated.  “I feel like the fact that we did move to Miami where there were so many other Haitians made me stay close to my roots and understand the culture better.”

Living in a home with six siblings, Cherizol also said that having a large family helped smooth the transition from Haiti to the U.S.  “It is really good having a lot of brothers and sisters because you’re never alone—never.  It’s a house full of kids, and we’re all crazy and goofy, so we always keep each other entertained.”

Following in the footsteps of her older sisters, Cherizol took up basketball.  During a stellar career at North Miami Beach High School – including a senior season in which she averaged 11 points and 12 rebounds per game – the recruiting process began.  Assistant coach Eric Wise discovered her through a connection to one of her high school coaches.  “Coach Wise looked at her, and I followed up with him and saw her in the fall of her senior year,” said head women’s basketball coach Rick Pietri.  “We offered her a scholarship, brought her on a visit, and she ended up signing with us.”

On January 12, 2010, while the Jaguars were on a bus trip heading to play Louisiana-Monroe, Cherizol received some devastating news.  A catastrophic earthquake had struck Haiti, causing severe damage in Port-Au-Prince and the surrounding area.  “I was in shock,” she said.  “I called my mom and asked her if she had gotten in contact with any of the people that were still there, and she said no.  I was going crazy trying to make sure everybody was okay.  She told me that everything would be okay and not to stress over it.”

Cherizol said her teammates and coaches were instrumental in comforting her in such a difficult time.  “My teammates were consoling me, and they were all concerned with making sure I was okay,” she said.

“The best thing we could do is communicate with her and explain to her that our jobs are not only as coaches but to provide support in times of familial distress, and we were here to provide that support for her,” stated Pietri.  “I think she handled it very well.  Looking back, I don’t think in any way it had an adverse effect on how she performed as a student-athlete,” he continued.  “I commend her on the manner with which she was able to handle the situation.”

Because of all the damage, it took a while for Cherizol to hear back from people she knew in Haiti.  “It took probably two or three days after the earthquake before I heard back from anyone down there,” she said.  Despite all the destruction, her extended family and friends were relatively lucky compared to most Haitians.  “The house that we lived in wasn’t damaged, but the houses next to ours were.  One person that my family knew passed away.”

Now a senior, Cherizol has been able to overcome the emotional toll of the earthquake and hopes to take on a larger role this season for the Lady Jags.  “Over the years, I have gotten a lot stronger and have more confidence in my game, so I think I’ve gotten a lot better than I was when I first got here,” she said. 

“Of our four seniors this year, she’s the only four-year senior in the program, so she has a level of understanding of both our offensive and defensive systems that’s deeper and greater than anybody else in the program,” observed Pietri.  “Clearly we’re looking for some strong leadership from her so that she can lead those who are trying to find their way.  We’re looking forward to production from her at both ends of the floor.”

“I view my role as a leader,” Cherizol said.  “I try to get in the gym and shoot, and do all the stuff I know that I need to be doing.  You’ve got to put in the work to get the result that you want.  So I’ve been working hard, trying to get stronger, and getting ready to play.”  She said that leadership extends to off the court as well.  “I try to get us closer together as a team and have a bond with the girls.  I think having a bond off the court will help us on the court.”

As a veteran, Cherizol said she looks forward to the challenge of being a team leader.  “I think I have to contribute a lot more now,” she stated.  “I’m not going to say it’s on my shoulders, but I have a lot more responsibility now that I’m a senior.  I know that the younger girls look up to me, and I just have a lot of work to do.”

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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