As a kid I was very active, all my brothers played baseball so being athletic was in my blood. I was raised to be an athlete. I loved softball, even as a young child I knew I wanted to play softball in college, it was my ticket to a better life. Growing up I wanted to be a Vet, once I was old enough to figure out I would have to go to Michigan State to be one I decided to change career paths. It has been my dream since I was a little kid to play softball, and get a degree at the University of Michigan. Coaches I played for, and even against would tell me I had the talent to go far. I was a complete player; a rocket arm, could play any defensive position, had good speed, but my greatest strength was my hitting. Not only could I hit for power, but I always had a high batting average while rarely striking out.
I played softball year round up until my sophomore year in high school. I ended up moving to TX before the softball season started, but I came back that summer to play on the Adrian Lookouts travel softball team, I was having the greatest season of my career. We were playing in the Ann Arbor Summer Classic, we had made it to the championship game, the game was tied, with a runner on 2nd. I hit a double to knock the runner in, and slid head first into 2nd base I immediately heard a pop in my right shoulder. I continued to keep playing, it was the championship game, and I refused to go out of the game. We ended up winning, after the game I knew my shoulder was shot. Afterwords I found out not only did I dislocate it, but I also tore it. I gave it time to heal, went back to TX, and tried out for a team down there. I couldn't throw a softball to save my life, after a couple throws I was in excruciating pain. I became depressed, and convinced myself my dream was shot. Growing up I was told the only way I would make it to college was with softball, cause I wasn't smart enough to make it based on intelligence. Having that beat into my head since childhood I believed them. I became depressed, accepted my dream was dead, and I would never attend college.
After living in TX for 6 years I moved back to Michigan this past summer. Since moving back I have felt this void in my life that I could never figure out what it was till I finally I realized it was that I gave up so easily on my dream. I was watching a Oklahoma State football game, and heard the story of Brandon Weeden once I found out how old he was then it hit me, he didn't give up on his dream at his age then neither should I. I have since decided to pursue my dream. I am currently rehabbing my shoulder, and getting in the best shape of my life. I will be going to a community college this fall to get back in the swing of being in school, and work my butt off in the classroom then next fall transfer to UofM. I don't care how much blood, sweat, and tears it takes I WILL accomplish my dream. It's going to take an extreme amount of hard work, but I will do anything to make sure I see this through. I'm a gifted student, and talented athlete. For the first time in my life I believe in myself, and I know I can do it. I don't want to just be a walk-on player, I want to be a core player, the leader that everyone looks to when things get tough. I don't want to just be a student who gets by, I want to be on the Big Ten All-Academics list. I want to be the best, which I know I can be. I guess i'm not just doing this for myself, I'm doing it for every kid who grew up like me, and showing them no matter how rough life can get they can make something of themselves. I want to be someone they can look up to, and be a positive role model in their lives. Most importantly I want, and will represent the block M with pride.
"When a goal matters enough to a person, that person will find a way to accomplish what at first seemed impossible."
- Nido Qubein
