Jasna Rather was born in Foca, Bosnia (Yugoslavia). Following in the footsteps of her uncle and older sister, she began playing table tennis at age 8. The family moved to Croatia for better opportunities, and there Jasna became a member of the famous Mladost Sports Club. Her teen years were immersed in table tennis leagues and tournament including the Olympic Games. At age 17 she was the #1 European Qualifier for the 1988 Seoul Olympics and brought home a bronze medal in Women’s Doubles. Following her success in Seoul, Jasna continued to win awards including the Mixed Doubles at the 1988 European’s, the Women’s Singles and Doubles at both the Mediterranean and Balkan Games and four other National titles and an appearance in the U.S. Open.

Jasna graduated from Oakland University in 2000 with a degree in political science.  In 1999, she became a U.S. Citizen which meant she was then eligible to try out for the U.S. Olympic Team. While studying for her teaching certificates, she soon got much of her old championship form back and qualified for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

From 2001 through 2010 as a U.S. Team member, Jasna reached the finals of three major National Championship events a total of 18 times, in Singles and Doubles play. By 2006, her fourth Olympics was behind her. Jasna was back at Texas Wesleyan as a master’s student, but she still continued to love and play the game winning everything possible at the National Intercollegiates that year, all while being a certified U.S. Nationals coach. Jasna continues to bring her love and passion of table tennis to the Texas Wesleyan team as their head coach and has helped bring them 54 National Collegiate Championship titles.

Help celebrate Jasna and her accomplishments at the Texas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame on Nov. 1 in the Nick and Lou Martin University Center.

About the Athletic Hall of Fame

The Texas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame was established to recognize the successes and achievements of former athletes, coaches and other contributors to the athletic programs at Texas Wesleyan University.

The Athletic Hall of Fame is at the Martin Center on campus on Friday, Nov. 1. The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7 p.m.

The event is open to all alumni, friends, faculty and staff, and tickets are $45 per person. Register online by Oct. 25.

For questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 817-531-6548 or alumni@txwes.edu.