Class of 2024: Thomas Jefferson

An incredible comeback in one of his biggest games for the University of Essex’s Men’s Volleyball team was the perfect finish to Thomas Jefferson’s time at Essex.

After completing his BSc Sports Performance and Coaching, Thomas - known as TJ to his teammates - is off to Belgium after securing his first professional contract.

Thomas, who is originally from Wandsworth in south London, was attracted to Essex by the reputation of the volleyball programme including coach Alex Porter and the talented players emerging from Essex.

The bronze medal-winning match at the national Volleyball England Final Four competition was a fitting finale. He said: “I have been fortunate enough to have been a part of Essex Rebels and share some unforgettable moments with some of the best teammates. For that I will forever be grateful to the Essex programme.

 “If I had to choose one moment in particular, I would choose the final match of my Essex Rebels career the bronze medal match at the Volleyball England Final Four event. We had our backs against the wall and what seemed like the most unlikely scenario turned into a Cinderella story as we overturned a 2-0, 20-16 deficit to clinch the bronze medal. That memory will not be soon forgotten.”

So what’s next? A professional contract has made Thomas change his plans, but he will be maintaining his links with Essex.

“My original plans after graduation were to return as a Masters student and undertake a postgraduate degree in Management,” he said. “But, I have been offered and accepted my first professional contract at Balti Kortrijk Spurs in Belgium and will be furthering my volleyball career by taking the giant step into the world of professional sports.

“I do, however, intend on returning in the future back to this programme as a player with wisdom and experience and I intend on being able to pass that on and mentor future volleyball players at the University of Essex.”

He loved his time at Essex. He added: “I would recommend Essex to any student sports scholar or not! There is this united feeling upon campus which you feel as soon as step onto campus. This feeling has remained with me throughout my tenure here and I'm sure will be reignited if I ever return for postgraduate study. As well as this the friends and people who attend this university are second to none and I can safely say that I have made friends for life here.”

From his lecturers, Thomas picks out Dr Ben Jones for a special mention for his support and the personal interest he took in his sporting career.

However, the biggest praise is reserved for the volleyball coaching team. Thomas said: “As well as teachers, I must thank my coach for believing in me and putting in the endless hours to help me get to where I am today. I can say with absolute certainty that without the effort of Alex Porter and Alex Chinery, I myself and this programme wouldn't be close to the heights it's reached these last couple of years."