Jason Dawson '15 Recruiting Profile

~~Growing up in Chicago I never thought about life after elementary school.  In Chicago most men realize that it is a gamble to walk the street and tomorrow is a thought not even entertained.  When I first started high school, I didn't have any future career plans, and I didn't take my education seriously. In the middle of my freshmen year, I was introduced to some core values taught through football.  I began to focus on what was important - living. My football coach helped with this shift in my attitude. He taught me that discipline and hard work would take me a long way.  He helped me envision life beyond today and see that although tomorrow isn’t promised, when it happens it is purposed.  He helped me not only on the football field, but also with thinking about a viable career path.
I am surrounded by hundreds of my classmates who are all thinking about the same things: Which college do I want to attend, What major do I want to end up with; How much money and college will it take me to finish the job; and how do I get started on this process? My coach taught us to live by three integral rules, integrity, honor and self-discipline. As I worked through the tough practices on the field I began to see the payoff in being diligent in keeping up with my studies.  As a Linebacker I saw the importance of my team feeling like I would do whatever needed to be done to protect them.  My integrity is on the line not only every time I step out on the field but also when my teachers and peers look to me to be the sound voice of reason in the midst of chaos. Day by day, I am striving to be the best at what I do and nothing less.
My passion in life is to finish my education and play sports. To finish my college education is the most important thing to me as I have embodied the core values that make a team player a good team member.  I know that by having my college degree, many doors and opportunities will be available for me. Opportunities that I would have never thought I could have had when I was a kid.  I know that a college degree will make me a well-rounded player too.  I aspire to play football in college or even professionally. I know as an athlete, most often, that is a dream that is few and far between. Therefore, by having my degree I will be able to do something constructive and rewarding after football.  I plan on becoming a physical therapist in the field of sports medicine. I always want to be surrounded by those that live by and value the team spirit.
The goals I have set for myself are very much in reach—I will obtain them. By doing so, I will prove that I am not a product of the difficult environment I grew up in. In life, one cannot decide what will happen. What one can do is, decide how they will respond to it. I choose to respond to my environment by being a positive role model, and a pillar for my community through hard work, dedication and to continue my pursuit of education.  I will lead by example.