Colorado State University Athletics
Senior Profile: Jami Vaughn
10/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Vaughn Off The Field
By Craig Buchanan
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State senior defender Jami Vaughn hadn’t imagined herself donning a Rams uniform when she was growing up.
A local product of Fort Collins, Vaughn caught the attention of coaches across the nation with her play in high school. After her sophomore year, Vaughn concluded her recruiting process by making an early commitment to the University of Kansas, where she played for two seasons.
After her sophomore year at Kansas though, Vaughn was ready for a change of scenery. She had been looking at other schools closer to home when she heard that Colorado State, the school just a mile down the road from the house she grew up in, would be starting a Division I soccer program. Through extensive talks with coaches and family members, Vaughn decided that the lure of being so close to her family was too much to pass up on.
“It was hard to leave the school and the people (at Kansas) and not knowing what I was getting myself into,” Vaughn said. “The benefit of being at an established program is you know what you’re getting into and who the girls are on the team. Here, I didn’t know who I would play with, which was exciting, but also a weird and scary feeling.”
Vaughn stepped into Colorado State as one of just a handful of girls with prior Division I experience, and was immediately a person that everyone turned to look to. However, even as a person with previous collegiate experience and as someone from Fort Collins, Vaughn still had a major adjustment to make.
“The whole process was very similar and also very different to when I went out to Kansas after high school,” Vaughn said. “When I went to KU, I didn’t know anyone so I had to start completely from scratch. Here, I had friends, but I had been away from them for two years, so it was an interesting transition.
It’s been Vaughn’s veteran leadership and experience on and off the field that has helped ease the transition and guide Colorado State in its quest to becoming an established Division I program. As Vaughn notes, the differences that she has seen from this second year to the first year are stark.
“The competition has increased on the field,” Vaughn said. “The talent and excitement is so much higher. Our trip to Steamboat helped a lot too. When you can get away from other distractions and focus on the individuals you are with, you connect on a completely different level which is awesome.”
On the field, Vaughn has also been one of Colorado State’s most consistent presences. Since transferring to Colorado State, Vaughn has played every single possible minute on the field for the Rams. It is a streak that stretches over 35 matches and 3,169 consecutive minutes. Earlier this season, Vaughn also scored her first goal since she was in high school.
Off the field, Vaughn continues to be an emotional presence that helps instill a dedication and passion amongst her teammates. Vaughn notes that it’s her belief that the little things matter and putting everything on the line that sticks with her teammates after she leaves.
As she reflects on her time at Colorado State and her collegiate career winding down, Vaughn doesn’t hesitate to recall what an amazing journey it has been for her.
“It’s very special,” Vaughn said. “It’s nice knowing that I helped build something, and it can only grow from here. A lot of players are interested in playing at CSU now, so I have a lot of pride in the fact that I was part of the first team. It’s going to be hard to leave.”
