Pamella graduated from Rye Country Day in 1998 and continued her academic and athletic career at American University, lacrosse and graduated in 2002 from the University of Bridgeport as a member of the women's basketball team. 

Pamella (Goode) Jenkins ’98 joined the Rye Country Day Upper School as a ninth grader in the fall of 1994. She played basketball for all four years, and during her sophomore year, she was introduced to lacrosse by then-Head Coach Lee Couch. After earning several accolades, including the Coaches Award, as a Wildcat lacrosse player, Pamella went on to play lacrosse at American University and graduated in 2002 from the University of Bridgeport as a member of the women's basketball team. She got her first taste of coaching both basketball and lacrosse at RCDS in the fall of 2002. While completing her Master’s degree at the University of New Haven, Pamella started her collegiate lacrosse coaching career at Central Connecticut State University. She went on to coach lacrosse at Missouri Baptist University, University of New Haven, University of Vermont, and Oberlin College. At Notre Dame College, she was the Head Lacrosse Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, and Senior Woman Administrator. In the summer of 2019, Pamella was named the Head Women's Lacrosse Coach at Delaware State University, one of only two historically Black colleges to have a Division I lacrosse program.

What was one of your favorite memories or moments when you were a student-athlete at RCDS?

My favorite memory from being a student-athlete at RCDS is all the success we had during my four years of high school. It was gratifying to see all our hard work pay off. The experience instilled in me the discipline I needed to overcome adversity, work hard and execute, and reach success through goal-orientedness.

What is a highlight of your career as a student-athlete, in college or beyond?

The highlight of my career has been becoming a Head Division I collegiate coach. The fact that this opportunity was given to me at an HBCU is even more special as we continue to put women of color in the sport of lacrosse on the map.

Did an RCDS coach inspire you? How so?

Coach Lee Couch, who introduced me to lacrosse, is my biggest inspiration next to my lifelong friendships. I'll never forget when Coach Couch approached me about playing lacrosse. Our basketball team had just won our conference championship in my sophomore year, and she congratulated me and asked if I’d ever considered playing lacrosse. The fact that she saw in me an ability to take on a sport that I hadn't even heard of has inspired me to work hard to prove that what she saw was right.

What advice would you give to current students at RCDS looking to continue their career as a student-athlete?

Work hard to improve your individual skills and learn proper time management now before the rigors of balancing your academic and athletic schedules at the collegiate level. Learn important coping and stress management skills, such as drawing, exercise, etc. Lastly, do your research on the school that best fits you and will help you reach your career goals. Don't pick a college just because of a coach or nice facilities. Pick an environment that will help you grow as an individual and provide opportunities to have a lasting impact.

Once A Wildcat, Always A Wildcat!