Before the start of its 2025-26 season, the Bentley women's basketball team had the opportunity to meet and speak with the legendary Jackie Stiles via Zoom. The engagement was part of Bentley Athletics' "Be A Force: Guest Speakers Series".

Stiles is the first NCAA women's basketball player to score 1,000 points in a season. She achieved the feat during her senior year at Southwest Missouri State (2000-01). She averaged at least 20 points per game in each of her four years of college hoops, and she held the NCAA career scoring record for 16 years.

The Portland Fire made Stiles the fourth overall pick in the 2001 WNBA draft. She made an immediate impact in the WNBA, where Stiles was both an All-Star and the Rookie of the Year in her first professional season.
 

What Falcons Are Saying
 
"Our team was beyond excited when we found out Jackie was going to be able to meet with us. After doing their research on Jackie and her outstanding career, they had SO many questions for her. The Q & A could not have gone any better, they were truly moved with how open and honest she was with them. Every single player had so many takeaways from the Zoom. We are just so thankful for her time and all that she does giving back to the game!"

• C White | Head Coach

 
"Jackie talked a lot about her leadership styles and how that shifted from being a player, to being a coach, and now her role as a gym owner and speaker. Although her style may have changed a little, she said one thing that has stayed consistent - communication. Communication is the key to success no matter what you are working towards. Having clear communication has led to a lot of success in her life."

• Cassidy Yeomans | Senior

 
 
"The one thing that I really took away from her was the importance of positive thinking. I have learned and read about the power of positive thinking and positive self-talk before. But hearing Jackie's perspective and why she thinks it is important was very interesting. I loved how she talked about telling herself before she would play a game 'I am the best player out here and I have worked for everything coming my way.' This way her mind and body were ready. This positive thinking made it hard for any doubt to cross her mind. It showed me that confidence is not just a feeling but also something you train through your mindset. I realized the way you talk to yourself can truly shape how you perform on the basketball court."

• Emily Walker | Freshman

 
"Jackie talked about how important preparation is before practice and games. Taking care of your body is a must!  She touched on the fact that she wished she could have listened to her body more and not push through her injuries.  I think that's a huge takeaway, as we should be fueling our body properly, getting enough sleep, and stretching!"

• Ava Orlando | Freshman