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Siblings’ lives parallel on, off court

“It’s a Gee-Thing.” Julie and Jamie Gee “have good quality, a spirit on the team unlike any other player,” said Jennifer Manfredi, assistant basketball coach for the Leos. / photo by Melissa A. Collett
“It’s a Gee-Thing.” Julie and Jamie Gee “have good quality, a spirit on the team unlike any other player,” said Jennifer Manfredi, assistant basketball coach for the Leos. / photo by Melissa A. Collett

by Raechel Fittante
Staff Writer

For many siblings, the college years mean letters and long distance phone calls to one another, due to separation. Many siblings tend to head in different directions to achieve their goals.

Jamie and Julie Gee, however, are two sisters who are lucky enough to attend the same university and played together on the same basketball team.

Jamie and Julie Gee, 18 and 20, respectively, are not only sisters who live in the same home, but have created parallels in their lives by choosing to go to the same university, working at the same job and playing the same sport.

The Gees both graduated from Don Antonio Lugo High School in Chino, Calif. They both are life-long residents of Chino and commute to the University of La Verne, carrying a full load of 17 units.

Julie, a sophomore, has aspirations to become a physical therapist and has played basketball continuously since the sixth grade and played on ULV’s women’s basketball team for most of the season. She is considering Loma Linda University as the site of her graduate work once she leaves ULV.

Her sister, Jamie, has also played basketball since sixth grade, following in Julie’s footsteps. However, career-wise, the freshman has opted to work toward a double major in accounting and business finance. Good grades are a high priority on Jamie’s agenda, having successfully obtained a 4.0 grade point average last semester. She enjoys both the small atmosphere of ULV as well as the convenient location of the college from her home. In her free time Jamie like to draw and spend time with her boyfriend, Jason.

Although the sisters, who have both worked at the same In-N-Out Bur­ger branch for two years, have so much in common, they are actually so busy that they do not see each other all that much and wish to have more time to spend with family.

“I hardly ever see my sister,” Jamie said. “Except for sometimes throughout the school day, we really don’t hang out together that much.”

Julie commented that her sister is always laughing. “I feel that Jamie has a great attitude. I see her as a person who can get along with anyone.”

With each sister having played a post position, the Gees have helped lead the ULV women’s basketball team to achieve their current record of 7-4 in their conference.

“It’s fun having Jamie and Julie on the team because they are sisters and they joke around all the time, like sisters do,” said teammate Aundraya Ross. “It’s fun watching them interact and tease each other. They bring such energy to the team.”

In school, basketball, work and life, the Gees have a relationship that is one of a kind. As a team and on the team, always sisters and always friends.

Raechel Fittante, Managing Editor
Raechel Fittante
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Melissa A. Collett, Photography Editor
Melissa A. Collett
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