Jerome E. Dickerson

Born on December 11, 1962, Jerome Dickerson’s father died when Jerome was only six. A couple of years later his mother died. Jerome and his brothers and sisters were sent to live with a close friend of the family, Pat Price. There they grew up. In high school, Jerome was an excellent basketball player. However he was also involved in gangs and smoked. Fortunately, he quit these activities before going to college. After collefe he had a chance to go all the way to the NBA, but a pregnant girlfriend and a bad attitude prevented that.

Jerome’s girlfriend, Sandra Webber, also was a basketball player. She had three brothers and two sisters, along with a mother that also played basketball. This would be a great opportunity for their future children, Brionna, Kristen, and Victoria. When older, Jerome taught his children the game of basketball to prevent them from making the same mistakes he made in high school. Dickerson grew to be a highly respected man. He used what he knew to teach his daughters the game and anyone else who wanted to learn.

Jerome now has a few jobs: city worker, professional basketball trainer, and Heathwood Hall head Varsity girl's coach. Jerome’s first daughter, Brionna, absorbed much from him in the years and at age 17, she has reached a goal of 4,000 career points and is one of the top 20 female players in the country. Jerome also coaches summer basketball teams.

He coaches for the NIKE team and he coaches an AAU team, each with Brionna and other great players on it. Jerome and his daughter have traveled all over the country. He uses patience when coaching his girls and shows them every mistake. With his assistance, in no time at all, they can do a move almost perfectly.

Jerome Dickerson is my hero because of all the things I have just written about him. We do not talk much but we bond every now and then. I know him well enough to know he has the brightest smile of anyone I know and I love him for everything he is and everything he isn’t.