Wake Forest Athletics
Transition Leads to New Success
10/10/2023 7:00:00 AM | Track and Field
“I felt like Wake Forest was the right place for me. I became a Demon Deacon, and I’m so thankful I made that decision. It was the right place to go.” - Jordan Banks
Jordan Banks was entering her third season with Wake Forest Track & Field and was about to experience her third coaching staff. After seeing mixed results as a freshman and sophomore, the change brought both excitement and skepticism as new coach John Hayes took over the program.
"If you're going to be successful here at Wake Forest, you're going to be a heptathlete," assistant coach Brian Mondschein told Banks after their first meeting.
Banks' skepticism turned to shock.
"I sprint and jump, what are you talking about?" she pondered. "I gave it some consideration, and I'm so glad he made that decision. I never knew that was my fit in the sport of track & field. They taught me five of the seven events. I had only long jumped and ran the 200 before. Everything else was brand new to me, and this was my junior year of college."
"That switch flipped for me, and I figured out what my niche was in the sport."
Banks earned All-ACC recognition in 2018 and is one of the all-time best Wake Forest performers at the 200-meter and the heptathlon.
"My freshman year was kind of rough," Banks said. "I had three different coaching staffs while I was at Wake Forest. That's a lot of change and inconsistency. It was tough to figure out where I fit and the right combination of things for myself. With the first two staffs, everyone was cool, but I wasn't seeing the progress I anticipated."
"Things really started to click when coach Hayes took over the program. I wasn't always the best listener, but at the same time, my freshman and sophomore years were kind of tough. I wasn't getting better. At that point, I figured maybe those guys knew what they were talking about. Learning five new events in your junior year of college is kind of wild."
She credits her Osbourn Park Senior High School (Woodbridge, Va.) for helping lead her to Wake Forest.
"My coach was very big on having us compete for him in high school, but also making it to the next level if that was something that interested us," Banks said. "He reached out to coaches directly for us. He started the introduction for me at Wake Forest and got me on their radar."
"I went there for an unofficial visit and then to an official. When I met with the team, I remember the fair was in town. It was pretty cool as a 17-year-old. The team was wonderful and felt like family. I felt like I fit in and could vibe with everyone on the team."
There are connections early in her time at Wake Forest that still stick with Banks.
"Dwight Lewis (associate athletic director) is still family to this day," she said. "Ashley Wechter (former Wake Forest associate athletic director) as well. They became basically my second mom and second father, and I met them on that first visit. They are still a part of my life today."
"I felt like it was the right place for me. I became a Demon Deacon, and I'm so thankful I made that decision. It was the right place to go."
As she progressed to an upperclassman, Banks started taking leadership positions, both with the team and around the Wake Forest campus. She was voted a team captain and ascended to the president role of SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee).
"Everything was coming together," she said. "I was not just a leader on my team, but also a leader in athletics. I set new personal records, entered new events and saw just how good I could perform. It was a really great experience."
Banks is excited about the trajectory of women's track & field and cross country under Hayes.
"I'm so proud," she said. "I'm proud of the recognition he gets as a coach and a leader. The program is starting to get the respect it deserves. Other programs are starting to respect Wake Forest and that's because of what coach Hayes has accomplished the last few years."
Now living in Charlotte, Banks is an account manager for General Mills, and works to recruit Wake Forest grads to her company at every opportunity.
"I've been recruiting Wake Forest talent, both graduate and undergraduate, for our sales department at General Mills," Banks said. "The school of business has been great bringing me back for any number of speaking engagements."
She also serves on the Wake Forest School of Business Alumni Council.
"We work in smaller groups of 5-15 with different initiatives and projects," Banks said. "One could be focused on fundraising, alumni relations or job prep for current students. It's a nice mix of people with different experiences in the working world. We can put our brains together and work together for the School of Business."
Although she's in love with her current role at General Mills, Banks is contemplating if there is a future path for her in the sports realm.
"I am currently studying for the NBA and NFL agent exams," Banks said. "It has always been a goal of mine to represent athletes at the highest level, especially athletes who need someone to advocate for them, not only financially as it relates to contracts but also from a personal growth perspective."
"I bring a unique skill set to the table as a former athlete with corporate negotiations experience, not to mention I would be one of the very few black women in that space. I am looking forward to this next chapter in my journey."
Regardless of what her future holds, Banks is confident her time at Wake Forest will have her completely prepared.
"We have a lot of resources that students at other schools just don't have," she said. "The life lessons and the way we were taught at Wake Forest, both in athletics and as students, gives you a diverse experience that allows you to get into a company and make an impact right away."
"I'm so thankful for my experience at Wake Forest and it pays dividends every day. This Wake Forest family has been invaluable to me."
"If you're going to be successful here at Wake Forest, you're going to be a heptathlete," assistant coach Brian Mondschein told Banks after their first meeting.
Banks' skepticism turned to shock.
"I sprint and jump, what are you talking about?" she pondered. "I gave it some consideration, and I'm so glad he made that decision. I never knew that was my fit in the sport of track & field. They taught me five of the seven events. I had only long jumped and ran the 200 before. Everything else was brand new to me, and this was my junior year of college."
"That switch flipped for me, and I figured out what my niche was in the sport."
Banks earned All-ACC recognition in 2018 and is one of the all-time best Wake Forest performers at the 200-meter and the heptathlon.
"My freshman year was kind of rough," Banks said. "I had three different coaching staffs while I was at Wake Forest. That's a lot of change and inconsistency. It was tough to figure out where I fit and the right combination of things for myself. With the first two staffs, everyone was cool, but I wasn't seeing the progress I anticipated."
"Things really started to click when coach Hayes took over the program. I wasn't always the best listener, but at the same time, my freshman and sophomore years were kind of tough. I wasn't getting better. At that point, I figured maybe those guys knew what they were talking about. Learning five new events in your junior year of college is kind of wild."
She credits her Osbourn Park Senior High School (Woodbridge, Va.) for helping lead her to Wake Forest.
"My coach was very big on having us compete for him in high school, but also making it to the next level if that was something that interested us," Banks said. "He reached out to coaches directly for us. He started the introduction for me at Wake Forest and got me on their radar."
"I went there for an unofficial visit and then to an official. When I met with the team, I remember the fair was in town. It was pretty cool as a 17-year-old. The team was wonderful and felt like family. I felt like I fit in and could vibe with everyone on the team."
There are connections early in her time at Wake Forest that still stick with Banks.
"Dwight Lewis (associate athletic director) is still family to this day," she said. "Ashley Wechter (former Wake Forest associate athletic director) as well. They became basically my second mom and second father, and I met them on that first visit. They are still a part of my life today."
"I felt like it was the right place for me. I became a Demon Deacon, and I'm so thankful I made that decision. It was the right place to go."
As she progressed to an upperclassman, Banks started taking leadership positions, both with the team and around the Wake Forest campus. She was voted a team captain and ascended to the president role of SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee).
"Everything was coming together," she said. "I was not just a leader on my team, but also a leader in athletics. I set new personal records, entered new events and saw just how good I could perform. It was a really great experience."
Banks is excited about the trajectory of women's track & field and cross country under Hayes.
"I'm so proud," she said. "I'm proud of the recognition he gets as a coach and a leader. The program is starting to get the respect it deserves. Other programs are starting to respect Wake Forest and that's because of what coach Hayes has accomplished the last few years."
Now living in Charlotte, Banks is an account manager for General Mills, and works to recruit Wake Forest grads to her company at every opportunity.
"I've been recruiting Wake Forest talent, both graduate and undergraduate, for our sales department at General Mills," Banks said. "The school of business has been great bringing me back for any number of speaking engagements."
She also serves on the Wake Forest School of Business Alumni Council.
"We work in smaller groups of 5-15 with different initiatives and projects," Banks said. "One could be focused on fundraising, alumni relations or job prep for current students. It's a nice mix of people with different experiences in the working world. We can put our brains together and work together for the School of Business."
Although she's in love with her current role at General Mills, Banks is contemplating if there is a future path for her in the sports realm.
"I am currently studying for the NBA and NFL agent exams," Banks said. "It has always been a goal of mine to represent athletes at the highest level, especially athletes who need someone to advocate for them, not only financially as it relates to contracts but also from a personal growth perspective."
"I bring a unique skill set to the table as a former athlete with corporate negotiations experience, not to mention I would be one of the very few black women in that space. I am looking forward to this next chapter in my journey."
Regardless of what her future holds, Banks is confident her time at Wake Forest will have her completely prepared.
"We have a lot of resources that students at other schools just don't have," she said. "The life lessons and the way we were taught at Wake Forest, both in athletics and as students, gives you a diverse experience that allows you to get into a company and make an impact right away."
"I'm so thankful for my experience at Wake Forest and it pays dividends every day. This Wake Forest family has been invaluable to me."
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