Nicholes Foust '23 Recruiting Profile

My primary extracurricular activity has always been baseball. I have played baseball in my community since I was 2 years old. Shortly after I would also become a great football player, wrestling and basketball. Playing sports gave me the ability to work as a team and build communication skills with people from any background. I have always been a big guy which I was thankful for because it gave me strength. As time went on, I realized I not only had strength physically, but I was strong mentally. I feel these abilities came from my journey of life and my parents.

My parents have always played a big part in the community and worked with at risk youth. As a teenager my parents managed a home that we resided in with teenage boys that have mental health issues, gang relations, impoverished background, drug abuse and addictions. In the beginning I thought my parents were crazy putting me and my autistic brother in the home with kids from all kinds of negative backgrounds, I was scared. Living in these dynamics was a challenge until I realized that these young men were missing something that I already had a family that cared enough to say no, eat dinner with them, not judge, and just love them through their pain. I saw my parents do it through some traumatizing episodes. I started implementing myself into the work by mentoring them even at my young age. I would play sports with them and train them in baseball and basketball. I would listen to their problems and encourage them to talk with an adult and seek help. Mental health seemed to be the main negative for each youth so I would encourage them to talk it out with their doctor and my parents to get the appropriate help. This was a challenge for me, but I realized that I had to change so I did not make the mistakes they made which allowed them to look at me for sound advice. This now allows me to not judge others I seek to build positive relationship, regardless of race, status, or abilities.

Through my journey I have experienced homelessness, dealt with Autism, and lost close family. I used my journey to make me stronger and wiser. My strength and knowledge which I have the ability to use at the same time will allow me to bring leadership to your team and college.