Luke Jacobson '21 Recruiting Profile

My love for and commitment to water polo began when I was nine years old. I was the youngest and smallest on my team, and a couple of my teammates could be fairly aggressive both in and out of the water. My coach, who called me Little Luke, had said that he knew I wouldn’t quit, that I would persist even when things were difficult. Once, when I was accidentally injured during a practice, I came out of the pool crying. It was only after I came back the next day for practice that my coach knew that my love for the game would outweigh any such setbacks. 

Water polo gives me so much. It gives me a belief in the importance of solidarity within a team. It teaches me the value of a strong work ethic, which I am able to apply to other areas in my life. It gives me a platform for learning how to overcome challenges, and improve myself. An example of this is in my persistence and determination: if I miss a shot, I know the next one has to go in. These lessons have helped me in my game and myriad other areas of my life, especially in my academic endeavors. 

I have given my all to water polo for the last seven years, and if given the privilege to play at the college level I will continue to bring my best. For the more recent years of my club career, I have chosen to play on a team in Greenwich, Connecticut, which has required a long commute for me from school or home to practice. This is just one example of what I am willing to do for my love of the game. As a college player, I will bring my passion for the sport, my belief in the importance and value of being part of a team, and working hard. In addition, I am committed to being a well-rounded and well-educated student, and I will strive to create a balance between my athletic endeavors and my academic pursuits. This balance has been possible for me in my high school career so far, and I have confidence this will continue in college.