Former Spartan Jessica Malacrida Looks Back

Since graduating from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Marketing, Jessica Malacrida has been up and down the east coast.

After departing from Happy Valley, Malacrida, 24, began working for AT&T’s Business Sales Leadership Development Program in Atlanta, Ga. 

After completing the program, she moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to work in AT&T’s National Business Markets segment, where she handled an account base of approximately $3.5 million dollars in annual revenue. 

At the end of August, Malacrida was on the move again—this time to Baltimore, to AT&T's Premier Client Group business segment, handling Enterprise-level customers. 

“I absolutely love my job,” Malacrida said. “It's challenging every day, and I'm constantly kept on my toes in learning the latest technologies and products that the telecommunications industry has to offer.  Making sales is a competition everyday and I absolutely love it.”

But before all this, the Paramus native was an accomplished athlete at .

The 2005 graduate starred in soccer and winter and spring track.

Malacrida said her favorite sport to play is soccer. As a freshman at PHS, she moved up to varsity mid-season and played as the Spartan sweeper, the first time she’d played the position.

“I had very big shoes to fill,” Malacrida said. “The team was counting on me. I was surrounded by such an amazing group of girls that were so talented, that they really made me feel welcome and helped me step up and fulfill the position completely.”

Malacrida blossomed and her senior year (she was also a captain), she was an honorable mention for all state.

“I had an amazing time playing soccer,” Malacrida said. “There was such an extreme unity among all the girls on the team, and our coaching staff was amazing. They were giving up their time to coach our team and make us into the very best athletes that we could be, and I will forever be grateful for their time and dedication.”

Off the pitch, Malacrida truly excelled as a high jumper for the Spartans.

“My older sister Kristan started track when she became a freshman at PHS in 1997,” she said. “I was in fifth grade at the time, and wanted to be just like my big sister, so I joined the Paramus Recreation track team and fell in love with the sport.”

In indoor track, Malacrida was a first-team all Bergen County selection in high jump all four years. In 2005, she was an all-state Group 3 selection in high jump and placed second in the event at the State Meet of Champions.

In outdoor track, Malacrida was a three-time all Bergen County pick (her sophomore, junior, and senior year).

She also holds two PHS records: a time of 15.7 seconds in the 100/110 meter hurdles, and a 5’5” high jump.

“Even though track is predominantly thought of as an individual sport, the girls and guys track team at Paramus became like family," Malacrida said. "Our coaches, Paul Higgins and Jeff Shorling, pushed us past our limits and helped us realize our potential. I went out to practice everyday with my very best friends, and we helped each become better each and everyday. 

“I have my fondest memories of high school sports from the track seasons, and the reason for that was the people that I was surrounded by every day.”

In college, Malacrida participated in intramural soccer, flag football, and intramural track. She also attended football games, and continues to support the Nittany Lions.

Athletics had a profound effect on Malacrida: “First and foremost, I believe that everyone is a product of their environment, I look up to each and every coach that I've ever had, as well as every player that I've been privileged enough to play with because of their individual talents, tenacity and drive.”

As for her role model: “I also look up to my sister Kristan, as the type of person that I strive to be everyday.  She's extremely brilliant, and the type of person that people love to have around.  She's determined to achieve her goals, and she never lets anything stand in her way.  I only hope to be half the woman that she is.”