In Time of Need, Jasmin Thames Finds Support in Rich Central Volleyball Camp

Losing a parent is an incredibly difficult experience, especially when you're in high school. Since you were born, your parents are the ones who shape your life, protect you, take care of you and support you. Craig Thames did all of those things and more for his daughter, Jasmin Thames, a junior volleyball player at Rich Central.

Craig was Jasmin's biggest fan, the voice in the stands that had encouragement for her and her teammates when they needed it most. Craig never missed an Olympians' match or a volleyball match for Jasmin's club team, the Celtic Force.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, Craig Thames died of a heart seizure at the age of 47. His voice was silenced. But it has not been forgotten.

“I look up in the stands at every game and, in my heart, I know he's still there,” Jasmin said. “So, every game if something goes wrong, I still look up and think, 'Yep, he's still there hollering right now,' or if I do something right, I look up and think, 'Yep, he's cheering right now.' ”

Jasmin said the loss of her father has taken a toll on her. It drained her of her want to attend class, to attend practice and games, but it didn't stop her. It didn't stop her because she knew her father wouldn't want her to stop.

Craig Thames didn't raise his daughter to stop. He raised a daughter who strives for success in and out of the classroom. Jasmin has leaned on her volleyball teammates and Rich Central's coaches for support.

“I didn't really want to come to school, but I came because I knew my dad would be like, 'You have to keep going, no matter what,' ” Jasmin said. “His biggest dream for me was to see me play in college.

"He wanted me to play volleyball. So, I knew that even though he did pass, I couldn't sit around and mope about it. I had to go out there and play, because I knew if he was still alive he'd be at that game."

With a heavy heart, Jasmin returned to school and to practice, hoping to find solace on the court where she used to hear her father in the stands.

At practice, her coaches and teammates stood behind her and provided her with balance, some sense of normalcy when her world was askew.

"It's a great group of girls," Rich Central coach Craig Marek said. "There's a lot of good chemistry throughout the team. You know, in the past, you had a lot of cliques, and this group isn't like that. They're very supportive. They all get along. They all have different personalities, but click well."

It wasn't just on the court that the team was there for her, though. It was off the court, too. The team attended Craig's services together.

“That was the biggest support, to see my whole team there,” Jasmin said. “Two of the captains got up and talked at his funeral. I have a really good support system, from my dad, my team, my coach, my whole family.”

"It was actually surprising to me for the captains to get up and do that," Marek said. "I didn't know they were going to do that. So, I couldn't be more proud of them."

Now, roughly three weeks since the passing of her father, Jasmin is still hurting, but also still going. She continues to shine on the court and in the classroom. She knows that even though her father may be gone, he's still watching.