Dr. Beverly Jaeger – Olympic Line Judge
COE Gateway Faculty member, Dr. Beverly Jaeger, is a line judge for tennis matches at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Dr. Jaeger, a senior academic specialist in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering, finds parallels between officiating and teaching. “Working to develop better observational and listening skills has served well in each of these roles,” she says, adding that having a level of fluency in French and Spanish has improved her rapport with professional athletes. “It is something I am continually trying to improve.”
Tennis has long played a central role in Jaeger’s life. At 11, she picked up a racket and began playing with her dad. “I just kept hitting the ball back,” Jaeger recalls. No finesse, no style, no game.”
In high school, however, she played the No. 1 singles position, and later spent time as a teaching pro while pursuing both a masters and a PhD through Northeastern’s department of mechanical and industrial engineering.
“The sport has enhanced my life in countless ways through learning, playing, competing, teaching and officiating,” Jaeger says. “It can be simultaneous challenging, humbling and enriching.”