Alumni Update: Tami Harris and Rosalind Joseph – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Sept. 25, 2014
Rosalind (Goodwin) Joseph and Tami (Smith) Harris are featured in this month’s track and field Alumni Update. The duo is set to be inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday at halftime of the Ohio State-Cincinnati game at Ohio Stadium.
OhioStateBuckeyes.com caught up with both Buckeye legends recently to see what they’ve been up to since their time as student-athletes at The Ohio State University.
TAMI (SMITH) HARRIS
High Jump, 2000-2003
– Five-time Big Ten champion
– Two-time First Team All-American
– Ohio State record holder in high jump
Where are you now in your life after your time at Ohio State?
I’m married for the last 12 years, with two future Buckeyes of my own, my nine-year-old son Jacob and seven-year-old son, Elijah. Both are athletes so between their sport schedules, family life, and teaching my Zumba/Hip Hop classes, I am constantly on the go!
What was your reaction to your Hall of Fame nomination? How will you spend HOF weekend?
It may sound cliché, but I truly did feel as though it was an honor just to be nominated. It made me feel extremely proud and I loved that it forced me to really look back at my accomplishments and reflect on my time as a student-athlete at Ohio State. Hall of Fame weekend will be an absolute blast for me! I plan to spend the weekend celebrating with my family and dearest fans. I’m most excited to share these special moments with my children. Of course, my days as an athlete were way before their time, so to have them there to learn a little about my accomplishments and to see hard work really does pay off is just priceless.
What made you choose to be a Buckeye?
Choosing Ohio State was a no-brainer for me. I’ve lived in Columbus (or various suburbs) since third grade, so once I started being recruited for high jump I had a very short list of possible schools and Ohio State was at the very top. I really felt a connection with the jumps coach at that time, Jack Warner, and I fell in love with the facilities and campus and just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to compete in my own back yard, where I knew my friends and family would be there each week cheering me on.
What was it like balancing school and athletics as a student-athlete?
I was involved in athletics since fifth grade so I, like many others, didn’t have a lot of trouble balancing school and my sport. For me, the key was staying ahead of the syllabus, getting assignments done early and being sure to ask for help when I needed it. Traveling for track meets was always a good time for me to get some classwork/reading done. I think that’s really the trick — working in the “nooks and crannies” of my life as a student-athlete instead of trying to cram to get things done.
Do you still participate in track and field in some way? If so, what do you do?
My high jumping days are definitely behind me but I do try to make it campus once or twice a year to take my kids to a track meet. Jesse Owens is always a great weekend to catch up with old teammates and let my boys see all the events available at a track meet. Other than being the occasional spectator, my runs around the neighborhood or on the treadmill pretty much sum up my participation in track these days. I’m anxious to get my boys involved in the sport. They are both football players, but I am stressing to them how learning how to properly run and working on their speed can be an asset to them on the football field as well.
What is your best memory at Ohio State both on and off the track?
By far, my greatest memory at Ohio State was when I met my personal goal and set a new school record by clearing six feet just two days after my 21st birthday. We were at the Armory in New York and I remember the feeling of utter shock and pure joy to have finally accomplished this milestone in my career. I’d come so close so many times before and it felt amazing to finally be able to check that off my list!
What lesson did you take away from Ohio State track and field that you apply to your daily life?
By far the No. 1 lesson I learned was that hard work truly does pay off. I worked harder than I ever had up to that point in my life, pushed my body further than I ever had and most importantly, stayed consistent in doing both. I learned my results were directly tied to my effort. It was empowering to know I had that much control over my life.
What advice do you have for current and future Buckeyes?
I think the two most important things I would tell current and future Buckeyes would be to work hard and enjoy themselves! There are talented athletes everywhere so hard work is not optional…it’s the difference-maker between good and being the BEST! In the end though, it’s important to have a good time. Classes, practice and competition require every ounce of focus, but it’ll be over in a flash so it’s so important not to wish it all away. The real world has its own challenges so enjoying this phase of your journey is key!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years and beyond?
Ten years from now I see myself most vividly in my most important role, motherhood. I see myself on the sidelines cheering on my oldest son on Saturdays as he lives his dream of playing for the Buckeyes. I see myself helping my youngest son get through his senior year of high school, preparing to make his debut on the football field on Saturdays as well. And I see myself just enjoying my life with the man that’s been making me laugh since 1997. I’m looking forward to the next 10 years enjoying what I love most (sports) with the people I love the most.
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ROSALIND (GOODWIN) JOSEPH
Triple/Long Jump, 2002-2005
– Six-time Big Ten champion
– Two-time First Team All-American
– Ohio State record holder in both triple and long jump
Where are you now in your life after your time at Ohio State?
I am currently entering my seventh season with the Ohio State track and field program. This will be my third year as associate head coach for the women’s program and my first year as associate head coach for the newly combined men and women’s structure.
I’ve been married to my college sweetheart, Dexter, for close to eight years and we’re enjoying the adventure of raising our beautiful four-year-old daughter and soon-to-be big sister, Gabrielle, in Buckeye country.
Why did you choose to become a coach?
I’ve always had a passion for teaching young people and a passion for track and field. To be able to find a profession that enables both was a dream I had to pursue. Seeing our student-athletes graduate is incredible, and then to have them come back to the program and see where they are in life is very rewarding.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
Being a part of the first EVER Big Ten title for the women’s track and field program and watching the women’s cross country team qualify for the national championship for the first time were both amazing to experience.
How does being a former student-athlete (and a former Buckeye) help you as a coach at OSU?
It makes the recruiting so much easier because I don’t see this as a job. I genuinely have an enthusiasm about this University I’m excited to share, and I’m excited to see more (good) people become a part of it. I don’t even necessarily draw on my own athletic experiences. My message is simply: “you’ll love it here!”
What was your reaction to being inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame? What are your plans for HOF weekend?
I had to ask “What?! Me?! Are you sure?!” I was speechless. I hope the Varsity O president didn’t think I was unamused, I just didn’t know what to say!
For the weekend my parents, siblings and high school coach/uncle will come to town. They’ll join me at the dinner along with my husband and daughter. I think they’re more excited about everything than I am. I know what it’s like to have the Buckeye experience, have nice dinners and be around 100,000 fans at football games, but I am excited to be able to share it with them firsthand.
What made you choose to be a Buckeye?
I wasn’t a highly recruited athlete and my mother is an Ohioan. She urged me to look at Ohio State based on academics. That’s how I applied to all of my schools, based on the academics. Once I was accepted, I contacted each program to see about the requirements and possibilities of walking on to the program. The coach I connected with at the time, Candy Young, was so welcoming, so encouraging. Even in just inquiring about walking on she made me believe I needed to be here and that I could excel here.
What is your best memory at Ohio State both on and off the track?
I remember my first week on campus. I didn’t know anybody, not even teammates yet, so I just walked the campus. I walked through welcome week on the Oval, around campus during the first home football game and into buildings I had no clue existed. And I just remember thinking, “this place has EVERYTHING!”
On the track, winning my first Big Ten individual title was solidifying. It gave me the confidence and affirmation that hard work pays off and opened doors to athletic dreams beyond just “jumping far.”
What lesson did you take away from Ohio State track and field that you apply to your daily life?
You get out what you put in. Looking back there were times I didn’t do my best, but now I can say I know why. There were times I did great and I can say I know why. It’s easy to look at all of the outside factors affecting you and to why you can’t do something, but sometimes you have to look within and make a decision to persevere, compromise, grow, learn, and focus in order to really succeed.
I learned winning is not done by accident.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years and beyond?
Hopefully on the same office floor, just a few offices down!
I love what I do. My family loves what I do, and I love them for that! I love the life I’ve been blessed with and I just want to continue to help Ohio State prosper in whatever way I can.
Regardless of my job title, 10 years from now I will still be a Buckeye!
What advice do you have for current and future Buckeyes?
Take advantage of this opportunity. It truly is a privilege and you do not want to live with any regrets!
