In an earlier life, big time college basketball was Jared Bledsoe's personal lodestar. It was the centerpiece in his life and the bigger the stage the better. For Bledsoe, basketball was the stuff of dreams, and he couldn't get enough. It began a most interesting odyssey, chock full of several highs and a sprinkling of lows, but it was the destination that provided the biggest surprise.
After a prosperous prep career at Hamilton High School in Memphis, TN, that included a trip to the Tennessee State High School Championships, Bledsoe accepted a NCAA Division I scholarship from University of Tennessee-Martin at Martin, TN. Other suitors included University of Texas-San Antonio, Arkansas State and Tennessee Tech University.
“I always had a dream of playing division one college basketball and professional basketball,” said Bledsoe. “My best friend (Corey Mitchell) was going to Martin, and our childhood dream was to play division one basketball together. We grew up in the same neighborhood and played ball together since we were kids.”
After a rewarding run at Hamilton High, Bledsoe quickly adapted to the taxing college basketball lifestyle.
“I played right away and actually started as a sophomore,” Bledsoe said. “My first game as a freshman was against the University of Hawaii at Hawaii, and I had 11 points with three three-pointers. Oh, that was fun. I had some good teammates and some fond memories, especially beating Butler my sophomore year.”
Bledsoe spent two seasons chasing his big time dreams, but when playing time became a limited commodity he relocated at Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2001.
“My dad (Jessie) lives in Fargo, and he always said it would be nice to have me closer,” Bledsoe said. “He was always very, very supportive. There were also a couple of coaching changes (at Tennessee-Martin) and a different feel on the team. At that time my dad and I were growing closer, and that was the number one reason—to get closer to the family.”
With plenty of new options for Bledsoe, why MSU Moorhead?
“The Lord works in mysterious ways,” explained Bledsoe. “My dad was actually my eyes and ears for the selection, and my dad liked MSUM and coach (Mike) Olson. The rest is history.”
A silky smooth guard, Bledsoe started in the Dragon backcourt for two seasons. Largely regarded as one of the best to ever play at MSU Moorhead, he averaged 19.4 ppg as a senior. A two-time All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference choice, Bledsoe was voted the Dragons' Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior and set a single season record of 73 steals in 2002-03 that still stands.
The days at MSUM bring back pleasant memories for Bledsoe. “I had fun. I still talk to a lot of the guys I played with; we built some life-long relationships. We had great chemistry on the court and (advancing) to the conference championship game that first year was fun.”
A four-year collegiate career that included two seasons each at Tennessee-Martin and MSU Moorhead didn't completely satisfy Bledsoe's need for basketball. “After I was through playing at MSUM I had an offer to go play in Brazil, but I made a promise to my folks that I would finish college before I would pursue professional basketball.”
Bledose spent a rewarding year as a student-assistant coach at MSUM in 2003-04 under Stu Engen. “I enjoyed it very much, and it gave me a totally different view of basketball. I learned so much, including how a coach prepares, behind the scenes stuff like what goes into a season and into a practice, and what a coach expects from his players and staff. I really appreciated that.”
After completing his collegiate degree Bledsoe eagerly accepted the challenge of basketball for hire.
“I played in the IBL for the Grand Rapids (MI) Flight my first year and moved to the Holland (MI) Blast my second year when our assistant took the head coaching job. He was adamant about me joining him. I played in the IBL four seasons and finished second in scoring (30.1 ppg) my second year. I was named an IBL All-Star two years and was the MVP at Holland. I was (elected) to the IBL Hall of Fame and I also played in China, Saudi Arabia.”
He enjoyed the challenge of professional basketball. It was the best of times and a memorable adventure for sure, but it was time to move on. The disruptive nature of the business of basketball was beginning to take its toll.
“You leave, come back, leave, comeback,” Bledsoe said. “You lose time with your family, and lose stability. I had a business training kids---The Next Level Basketball Academy---and it's tough to build up clientele when you have to take off.”
Today Bledsoe is far from the aura of big time college basketball, and begins his second season as girls' basketball coach at Oak Grove High School in Fargo, ND in early December. It's a long way from where he hoped to be as a young man and far from the bright lights of the National Basketball Association.
And Bledsoe couldn't be happier.
“Number one, I love the game of basketball and I love working with kids so it's been the perfect match for me,” said Bledsoe. “In the beginning you're going to have challenges, no matter what you do, but I embrace them because Oak Grove has embraced me, and being part of the Oak Grove family has truly been a blessing. The players, faculty, staff and parents have all been very supportive. Obviously there's a real spiritual connection at Oak Grove, and being a believer I can share that with others, including parents. That makes a difference.”
An abiding faith will carry Bledsoe through any rough patches, but he is grateful for what basketball has provided as well.
“The game has given me so much, so many unbelievable opportunities and the chance to travel the world. It teaches you how to set a common goal, work with the other guys to build relationships and chemistry, and learn how to sacrifice.”
Bledsoe still keeps his eye of MSU Moorhead. “My heart is always with the Dragons, and I check the website often to see how they are doing.”
Supporting his alma mater comes easy for the onetime Dragon. After all, keeping the faith has never really been much of a challenge for Bledsoe.
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