Sophomore Zoe Dickson really didn’t have a choice when it came to choosing her path to higher education.
As a four-year starter at El Modena High School in California, Dickson knew she wanted to play soccer in college, but it was her two older sisters, Norrelle and Tiana, who helped get the midfielder to commit to Oklahoma.
“I came out here to visit them when I was in high school and immediately fell in love with the entire school and the environment,“ Zoe said. “I literally had no option but to come to OU.”
Norrelle Dickson, an All-American under softball coach Patty Gasso, was the first Dickson to make it to Norman in 2004, finishing her career with a .402 batting average after starting all 257 games she played in.
As a senior in 2007, she was named a semifinalist for USA Softball Player of the Year and finished a first-team All-American and second-team Academic All-American. She left OU as the career leader in hits (328), runs scored (75) and batting average.
Zoe remembers the time she visited Norman for Norrelle’s senior night and being surprised at the camaraderie of the crowd.
“I was amazed at how the environment was and how everyone was like, ‘Boomer Sooner!’” she said. “I had never heard that before. It was awesome to see the whole spirit of the school.”
Middle sister Tiana Dickson made a similar impact on the OU soccer program. The two-time Academic All-Big 12 first-team member graduated last season with 80 consecutive starts, the most in the program’s history.
As a freshman last year, Zoe played alongside Tiana, something Zoe said helped her become the player she is today.
“[Tiana] was super hard on me, harder than anyone else,” Zoe said. “She wanted me to do really well because I was representing her and my family. She was a leader for me as well as for everyone on the team.”
Although Zoe and Tiana only spent a year together on the same team, the two shared many memories playing for the same program.
“During the Big 12 (tournament) last year, we got to share a room together for the entire week and it was great,” Zoe said. “She’s my best friend and it was a whole week of us just being together.”
Zoe also has made her own impact on Sooner soccer in just her second season, quickly becoming a starter during last season’s game against Stephen F. Austin.
With two career goals, including a game-winner this season against Alabama-Birmingham, Zoe continues to a be a threat on the attack for OU. And OU soccer coach Nicole Nelson knows what kind of player she has in the newest Dickson.
“Zoe has the ability to affect the game at just about any position,” Nelson said. “Her understanding of the game, along with her technical attributes, allow her to be a very special attacking player.”
The stepladder of sisters should keep at least one Dickson sibling in an OU athletic program for a total of nine years. And with a total of three seasons remaining for Zoe, including the 2011 season, she hopes to continue the legacy her siblings built for her.
“They told me everything, like not to be late and told me what teachers to have,” Zoe said. “But really they just want me to represent the Dicksons with pride and play hard.”
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