James Moore '18 Recruiting Profile

“You can do whatever you want to do.” This is what my mom has been telling me for years. She has been my main support system my whole life. In all aspects from school to sports and life decisions. I've been surrounded by adults who are great themselves and inspire me to achieve greatness in my life. A close family friend of mine who I look up to was the first African-American Chief of police in his city. My personality is much like his: laid back,kind, sentimental and serious when need be. Ever since I was 5 years old, I knew I wanted to be a police officer. When I want something or set a goal for myself, I become fixated on that goal, and devote almost all my time to reaching that goal. I believe that in anything in life, someone can be out worked regardless of their talents or skills. One of my favorite quotes from Will Smith a person I admire is “I'm not afraid to die on a treadmill.” Meaning that if you're willing to die for something, then you can do anything.

Since 1st grade, I've been switching between basketball and track not really putting much effort into each until high school. Freshman year, I was scared to try out for the basketball team knowing I didn't have much skill only my natural athleticism and height. My mom encouraged me to tryout and I did. I ended up getting cut, and for that whole season, I saw the camaraderie between the team and how everyone knew each other's names. I knew I wanted that. So after the indoor track season was over, I started playing basketball everyday, watching basketball, playing at the park, dribbling in the street after dark outside my house, playing in a thunderstorm and snow. I went through a lot that year. The progress was so slow, and when I felt like quitting, I thought about the feeling I had when I got cut the year before. The next year as a sophomore, I played on the fall league team just by advocating for myself and asking the coaches. Then came tryouts and I made the team my hard work had payed off. After the basketball season was over, I was ready to focus on track and apply the same mindset I did with basketball. I noticed my effort level was higher while running track after my trials and tribulations with basketball.

I've always loved running since I was about five. I'm from New Jersey and we lived less than ten minutes from the beach so we would go everyday when I was little and I remember running in the sand trying to get to the other side before the tide came in. I would also race my mom in the parking lot from the car to wherever we were going. Even at school, I would always challenge my classmates to a race. So, it was only right I run track. I also make friends easily, not many people dislike me. I tend to take my own path in life, I don't follow trends needing to be like everyone else. I believe that these two things are leadership qualities. I'm not uncomfortable being the first to do something. In high school, I want to leave a legacy. Whether it be making an impression on someone or changing something. When I graduate I just want to be remembered. As for college, I want to really explore the law enforcement profession. Also, I want to make my family proud by competing at a collegiate level. I've made many friends in track, and its taught me lessons that are compatible with any sport or just life in general.