Jenni graduated from Lee High School in Baton Rouge, then Louisiana Tech with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration then went on to LSU to earn a master’s degree also in Business Administration. She taught in the college of business at LSU for 25 years (from 1984-2001) in the marketing department and was the Marjorie B. Ourso Endowed Professor. Then, Jenni became the director of marketing for LSU Athletics from 2001-2007, all while being a competitive runner during the years she was teaching and working.
In 2000, Jenni added “entrepreneur” to her resume when she opened the first “Varsity Sports” a Louisiana-born running specialty store in Baton Rouge. Varsity Sports started as one store, with a $100,000 investment and is now a $2+ million dollar business venture.
As an entrepreneur, Jenni has received:
- Runners World Best Running Specialty Store in Southeast Region
- LSU Top 100 Fastest Growing Businesses
- Top 100 Woman Owned Businesses in Baton Rouge
- Boston Marathon Varsity Sports Top 3 Teams Men/Women 2014
- Gold Partner Top Account in Southeast Asics, Saucony, Nike, Brooks
- Top 50 Running Stores in America 2016, 2017, 2018
- National North Face Never Stop Exploring Award – Best Store in America in Community Service 2016
- National Saucony Run for Good Award 2017 – Service to Fitness Community. One of Top 6 Stores in America
- Baton Rouge Business Report’s Influential Women in Business 2015
Jenni’s running career:
- Ran competitively on the Nike Racing team and US Track and Field 8 Nations Games team.
- Qualified for Olympic Trials in the marathon in 1984,88, and 92.
- Ran the 10K Olympic Exhibition at LA Olympic Games Trials.
- Ranked Top 20 in the world by Track and Field News 1988.
- Past winner of Greater NO Marathon, Mardi Gras Marathon, Dallas White Rock Marathon, and Baton Rouge Marathon.
- Louisiana Record holder a multiple distance.
