Fontainebleau senior Jean Bernard, a three-sport athlete for the Lady Bulldogs, has signed her national letter of intent to attend Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Bernard will receive a soccer scholarship along with a presidential scholarship for academics.

“At one point over the summer, I decided I wasn’t going to play soccer in college. Back in December, Louisiana Tech contacted me so I decided to make an official visit. They will have a young team with as many as eight freshmen. The coach told me he wants me to be one of those freshman,” Bernard said.

Bernard made her official visit during the Christmas break.

Seated, is Fontainebleau senior Jean Bernard, signing her national letter of intent to attend Louisiana Tech University in Ruston on a soccer scholarship. At left, are her mother Michelle and her father Joey. Standing is Fontainebleau Lady Bulldogs head soccer coach Carly Hotard. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel)

“It’s a small campus, but I liked what I saw. I was very impressed with the coach, and he was excited about me becoming part of the program.”

Bernard described herself as a focused goalkeeper.

“Once I’m on the field, the goal box area is mine. I’m vocal in the net, and I like to direct the game getting my defenders in position. I think I have good reactions to the ball, and work hard to be in position,” Bernard said.

She said Louisiana Tech coach Kevin Sherry is trying to completely rebuild his program with his first recruiting class bringing in players from all over including Canada. The Lady Techsters after going 2-14-1 last season have signed 12 soccer players.

Sherry described Bernard as a very gifted student as well as being one of the top goalkeepers in Louisiana.

“Jean is strong and very determined, with a good all-around game. Her strength is her ability to come off her line and make any through ball her own. She will come in and make the keeper environment here very competitive,” Sherry said.

She had an earlier scholarship offer from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. Bernard lettered for four years playing for coach Rusty Brauner and Carly Hotard. She served as a team co-captain as a senior helping to lead the Lady Bulldogs to a 20-2 record. The Lady Dawgs won the District 7-I title with an undefeated record, before losing a heartbreaker to Dominican 3-2 in a shootout in the regional round of the state playoffs.

“I have loved playing on some great Fontainebleau teams. We always have all-around good teams. We don’t usually have any weaknesses.”

Hotard, who took over from Brauner, described Bernard as an exceptional goalie.

“Jean is a shutout queen. Louisiana Tech made a good choice getting her. She is a very confident player, and definitely has her head on straight. She is always focused, and is a good leader as well,” Hotard said.

Bernard was named All-Freshman All-State in 2005 and was also named the Gatorade Rookie of the Year that year. She was the FHS Defensive MVP in 2006. She also made All-State in 2006 and 2007. Bernard has played eight years for the Mandeville Soccer Club Lakers under head coach Nick Chetta, who is also the boys’ head coach at Northlake Christian School. She was named team captain 2004-2007, and helped lead her team to a state finals appearance in 2007. She started playing soccer when she was six.

Bernard was also a four-year starter on the Lady Dawgs’ softball team. She is the team’s starting shortstop, and hit .317 with five runs batted in. She scored 20 runs with an on base percentage of .473.

“I consider myself a consistent hitter.”

FHS softball coach Chris Nelson described Bernard as a special kind of athlete.

“Not many athletes can walk off the soccer field, and onto the softball field and play shortstop. I knew she was a special type of athlete who could handle that. She can do anything that she puts her mind to,” Nelson said.

“We have come to depend on her. She runs the infield and is a very intelligent player.

She also throws the javelin and shot put for the FHS track team.

“I like track because I don’t have a lot of pressure on me. I just go out and give it my best.”

“I’m not the fastest athlete, but I’m strong. I always give it my best. I have lots of desire to be the best. I’m ultra competitive,” Bernard said.

Bernard carries a 3.9 grade point average. She is a member of the National Honor Society, National Hispanic Honor Society, Foreign Language, Quiz Bowl and Student Council. She wants to major in either engineering or finance.

“I’m extremely good at math and I like dealing with numbers. There is so much money in engineering for women so I’ll probably check that out. I just want to be successful in whatever I do,” Bernard said.

Jean is the daughter of Joey and Michelle Bernard of Mandeville.