W.E.C.A. Profile of the Week – Jerome Wilson

6/26/08

By Clint Cox
As a junior quarterback for the Marianna Bulldogs in 1982 Jerome Wilson electrified the Marianna community by throwing for 21 touchdowns and over 2,000 yards. That set a new record that stood for another 15 years and helped lead the Bulldogs to a 10-1 record, their best in 25 years. Twenty six years later Wilson is still giving back to the community that gave so much to him growing up.
For the past three years Wilson has volunteered his time to assist in mentoring local youth through the West End Community Association. "I think the W.E.C.A. is an outstanding progam. It teaches discipline and skills to these young people that they wouldn’t get sitting at home playing video games," Wilson said recently. "I love working with the youth and developing their talents. I had coaches that did the same for me when I was growing up and now I want to do the same for these kids that I am working with," Wilson added. Asked to name some of those coaches that helped him along when he was a youth Wilson responded with names such as Roger Clay, Jerry Brown, Phillip Clikas, Sonny Hughes and Donny Nichols.
After graduating from Marianna in 1984 Wilson went to Southeastern Louisiana to play football. After two years the school discontinued the football program and he returned to the area and played football one year at FAMU. He then joined the Army and spent three years in the military. After he got out of the Army he got married and lived in Minnesota. It was there that he got a job with the Postal Service. Nine years ago he transferred to the Dothan Post Office and set up residence in Marianna. He now has 15 years services with the Post Office and he and his wife Iva have 5 sons. Delancey (15), Jeremy (13), Jamaal and Jameel (twins – age 10) and Joshua (6) are all active in local sports programs. Three of them (Jamaal, Jameel & Joshua) are on the New Golden Key team that Wilson coaches as part of the summer basketball league of the W.E.C.A.
The Jackson County Times is featuring a weekly profile during the month of June of individuals that work with the West End Community Association (W.E.C.A). The association is a grant funded program that provides a variety of activities and programs to young people in the Marianna and surrounding communities.