TAMPA, Fla. – Each of Jordan Salisbury’s three siblings currently serve in United States Armed Forces. As such, there was no question about her desire to do likewise. The question was which path she would take. Or maybe there was not much of a question.
The redshirt sophomore USF lacrosse player opted for the Marine Corps. Her father was a Navy Seal officer, one brother is in the Navy, another brother is an Army Ranger and her sister is in the Air Force.
“I had to finish it out and be a Marine because we have Army, Navy and Air Force,” said Salisbury, laughing. “So, we have to finish it out, right? I admire all three of my siblings very much. They are my biggest role models.”
What does it mean each December when Army and Navy, the greatest sporting rivalry, take to the gridiron?
“Oh, my goodness, do not even get me started,” said Salisbury, her expression looking more like a young lady ready to strap on the helmet and pads than pick up a pole. “Since one of my brothers played football at Navy, we had to support him. There’s more Navy in our family, so it’s usually Navy. It gets a little heated that time of year.”
Ready to lead
Through the Lee Roy Selmon Mentoring Institute, which pairs student-athletes at USF with a mentor who can help them prepare for whatever field it is they want to pursue, Salisbury was introduced to Col. Russell Henry at MacDill Air Force Base.
“He taught me the ins and outs of the Marine Corp and just solidified (my desire to join the Marines),” she said, noting a grandfather was a Marine. “I got a mentor for life.”
Through Col. Henry, Salisbury learned about a Platoon Leaders Class (PLC), a program that allows undergraduates to pursue a commission in the Marine Corps without disrupting the academic and athletic collegiate experience. Hence, the communications major will continue to get the best of both worlds in that she will participate in the summertime program while still being invested in her studies and lacrosse.
“It is just six weeks in the summer and allows me to be fully committed to the USF lacrosse program,” said Salisbury, who signed for the PLC during a recent practice. “I was all in.”
Salisbury, who will complete her athletic eligibility in 2028, will head back to her home state of Virginia and Marine Corps Base Quantico for the six-week program this summer and again next summer. Upon graduation, she will commission as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.
Attracted to USF lacrosse
Salisbury was a decorated athlete at South County High in Lorton, Va. She was a Nike All-American in track, a captain on her field hockey team and an all-region performer in lacrosse. It appeared as though she would remain in state and play lacrosse at Old Dominion, which is about 175 miles south of Lorton. That changed.
Salisbury had a scholarship and was all set to attend ODU before the Monarchs’ coach resigned in May 2022. Six days later, Mindy McCord was hired to build the program at USF. Sometimes, timing truly is everything.
“I was committed to Old Dominion, which is pretty close to home and near the beach,” she said, noting her siblings have a beach home about 20 miles from campus.
When Salisbury learned USF was launching a lacrosse program with McCord and her husband, assistant coach, Paul, taking their up-tempo style of play from Jacksonville University to Tampa, she was hooked. Salisbury felt she could utilize her prowess on the oval by racing up and down the field.
“I was sold as soon as the coaching staff hit me up,” she said. “I heard about (the McCords) when they were coaching at Jacksonville and I loved their run-and-gun style of play.”
Since arriving at USF in the summer of 2023, Salisbury has thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the Bulls – “40 girls who are so driven to get better every single day and everyone is challenging each other” – while taking classes that not only align with her major, but also prepare her for leadership responsibilities in the military.
“I am excited to keep diving into what my major can do for me and what I can bring to the military through what I learn,” said Salisbury, who is minoring in leadership studies. “I love interacting with people and always set the standard and kind of push the tempo. With my communications classes, I feel that I have acquired a lot of leadership skills when it comes to effectively talking to peers.”
Given how Salisbury carries herself on an off the field, those around her may want to listen intently.
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