Oakland's Own Jessy Giordano, Winner of Three State Soccer Champions
“Looking back, I had a low point, a tough time. Out of that came growth and happiness.”
It was with these words that Jessy Giordano, a lively and athletic young woman, summed up her story. Today the challenges of the past have been overcome; she is proud of herself and is enjoying her accomplishments.
“I was born in Oakland, went to Manito,” she says. “I’m the youngest of five children. Mom and Dad had two sets of twins, and I am a half of one of them. All of us were born in October.”
From early childhood Jessy exhibited athletic ability. Her dad worked with her to develop her skills playing soccer, basketball and softball. Dad was her coach throughout her life.
“His attitude was always positive. He talked to me in a way that encouraged me.”
Jessy’s dad formed a soccer team of local 6-year-old girls that won 90 straight games in the top flight, winning the U12 State Cup for which Jessy got the MVP award. These girls ultimately formed the nucleus of the Indian Hills High School soccer team.
Once the team reached high school, they were guided by Indian Hills coaches. Jessy made Varsity as a Freshman. Her team was the groundbreaker for girls’ soccer teams in the Ramapo-Indian Hills School District. They won two League and State Championships.
“The fact that our team went to the State Championships twice and won was the product of us being together through grammar and middle school. We knew each other so well and were a solid unit.”
After high school, Jessy attended Ramapo College.
“I’m a homebody,” she admits. “Oakland was my comfort zone, so even though I could have gone to a D-1 school to play soccer, I didn’t have the guts. I stayed home and went to Ramapo. I did not realize how good I was, how obsessed. I trained every day.”
Jessy graduated Ramapo College in 2009.
“After college I tried playing semi-pro soccer. I did not enjoy the traveling. Being away was hard for me. I wish I had been more independent. I wasn’t mentally there yet.”
Jessy got a job at Indian Hills as JV soccer coach and assistant Varsity coach.
“Even though I was still in play mode and the girls were almost my age, the more I coached and saw them growing and improving, I started to love the coaching.”
In addition to working at Indian Hills, Jessy began to train youngsters in the area. She built a loyal following of soccer players and parents who were urging her to go out on her own. She was awarded “Trainer of the Year” by the Ramapo Youth Soccer Association in 2014. Her girls were winning tournaments and growing in skill.
In April, 2015, in the semi-pro off season, while running on a free kick at full speed, Jessy jumped up to run through the ball and collided with another player who was running at full speed. She lacerated her liver. She was in ICU and could not be active for a full year. Regrettably, she had to end her coaching job at Indian Hills and the part-time soccer training.
“In that year I had no social life, no vacations,” she recalls. “I had to concentrate on getting better. I had to grow up and think about my future, about a path for myself in this world. A plan to start a soccer company took shape in my mind.”
While healing, Jessy “adopted” a pig she named “Onyx” and “hung out with him” during her convalescence. “He got me through the year and has been a wonderful pet.”
After her year of inactivity and soul searching, Jessy poured all her energy into developing the training she gave to her girls.
“I didn’t work for anyone but myself and loved the challenge. I invested in myself and gave of myself. I formed an LLC for J.Gio Training, formed teams, met new people. I used social media and had training videos showing the girls progressing. I designed a logo and put it on neon yellow T-shirts, on Facebook and Instagram. I officially made Onyx J.Gio Training’s mascot.”
In September of 2018, she formed J. Gio Soccer, which is now registered with the U.S. Club Soccer Association, J. Gio Futures, J. Gio Day, Sand Soccer and 3V3, all empowering female athletes with high-level soccer training, team formation, bootcamps and apparel.
With the popularity of her videos showcasing her students, the business activities grew to all of North Jersey and beyond. She’s has had 40,000 views on Instagram and has almost 6,000 followers. Soccer equipment companies, including Nike, send their equipment for the girls on her teams.
“I have emerged and grown in confidence. I have become a role model to young, athletic girls who excel in soccer. My training is designed to develop skill, confidence and motivation to win. Parents put their trust in me.”
As a result of her success, Jessy says she has a different outlook on her life.
“In the past two years, I am a different person. I am stronger, more patient. I communicate better. I’ve grown so much and learned so much. I’ve worked with great families, teachers, coaches. My girls are doing so well in what is to me the hardest sport for girls. Watching the girls grow and become more empowered has been inspiring.”
“I had regrets, but today I am happy,” she says. “There was a reason I stayed home.”
Terri Casaleggio is a correspondent for the Oakland Borough Newsletter.