Robert Gonzalez '21 Recruiting Profile

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If you had asked me in Middle School what I  was looking forward to during my High School years, the answer would be very different from the reality that it was.

My name is Robert Matthew Gonzalez and currently a senior at Miami Christian School in Miami,Florida.  Born and raised in Miami; a city of diversity, culture, and known for some unforgettable Hurricanes.  As most know, Miami is a melting pot for many immigrants as is New York.  I am a combination of the City that never sleeps and the Sunshine State. My paternal grandparents left their countries to set up roots in New York  and my maternal grandparents left their countries to set up roots in Miami. The challenges they faced and how they succeeded is admirable and one I will keep close to my heart.  My paternal grandfather worked as a waiter in New York's oldest  steakhouse called The Old Homestead and my maternal grandfather joined the United States Army and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.  My grandmother's were stay home mom's and took are of their families as it was different time.  While my grandparents hard work and achievements are not my own, they certainly instilled in my parents the work ethic and well roundness tools that are necessary to succeed and adapt in life; especially when life throws an unexpected curve ball.   My parents set their roots in Miami and carried on the same teachings to my sister and I. My mother followed a career in Human Resources and my father a career in Aviation with a Bachelors Degree in Business from Florida International University.

For as long as I can recall, I've wanted to pursue a career in Sports Broadcasting/Journalism. Memories of statistic conversations and following players careers with my father sparked my love at a very young age.  Listening to commentators, debating sports scores,following role models careers was just who I envisioned myself to be. The exposure and excitement of meeting famous players of all sports,obtaining autographs and traveling to cities to watch games just solidified my desire.  While I enjoy watching and following all sports, my passion has always been baseball and have played all my life.   Baseball taught me teamwork, dedication and a healthy lifestyle.  I began as an all position player and then found my way to the mound in 2012.  I practiced pitches daily to perfect my curve ball.  

Ironically, instead of throwing a good curve ball to a batter, the curve ball was pitched tome in 2015.  At the age of 12, I lost my father to depression.  That life event has inevitably changed me as now I actually know someone instead of just hearing or reading about it.  While my peers were playing sports and excited about beginning high school journey, I was faced with the challenges of living without my dad, trying to understand the why's, and reluctantly adapting to this new normal. My father was my life coach as I saw it.  During the most important years to me, life was just another day.  I gave the best I could while dealing with his loss but as they say in baseball “its not whether you win or loose but how you play the game”.   Not every year has been easy and my grades were affected.  If I was to report on my last years without my dad I would say “a very tough game with no runs scored during a brutal season”.  Life without him has been game changing and with my mothers support during all the ups and downs, I have made it to senior year.   And now, here I am applying for college.        

Although my high school years were not what I thought they would be, my new chapter will be. Not only do I want to achieve my goal for myself, I want to achieve it for my family.  The headline will read “He did it”.