Jibran Murtaza '22 Recruiting Profile

My name is Jibran Aman Murtaza. I am the younger son of a Pakistani-born Pakistani American Muslim father and a Libyan-born Pakistani American Muslim mother. I was born in Niskayuna NY and have lived in NY, GA, TX, and Dubai UAE. As you can imagine, I have had experiences which not many people have had. We live in a world where everything needs to be categorized. If I were to be forced to box myself then I would say I am a Pakistani American Muslim. And my story is as American as it gets

I am at school in Dubai, as my father works for GE and has been stationed here since 2016. Moving has given me the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures, religions & backgrounds. Each experience, from the snow-clad mountains of NY, to the rolling hills of GA, the humid days of TX and the concrete jungle of Dubai has had a lasting effect. I am blessed that living in different corners of the world has helped me develop a well-rounded personality accepting of the diversity that this world has to offer

I am passionate about baseball. My journey to fall in love with baseball has been an interesting one. My parents tell me that I was a very good soccer player as a toddler. A budding soccer career got disrupted with another GE move. In Houston we found the Ft Bend Texans who instilled in me a strong work ethic and the never say die attitude this game of failure needs for success. This stint was short lived as we moved to Dubai…thanks GE. I found true love in the desert. Dubai Little League is an oasis of baseball in the sands of “futbal”. I love the close-knit community and the volunteer spirit of the Dads to develop baseball players thousands of miles away from home. My father helps coach as well and I love being around him as he lives his glory days of playing cricket. All the words I have heard since I was a toddler wring in my ears…Focus on the controllable, its never the ump or the field or the weather, worry about the effort not the result, one play at a time, its never over till its over, short term memory, thick skin, do your part, listen to the coach, always buck up your teammates…I love this game

My grand fathers are both giants in their fields. My maternal grand father (may he RIP) was a physician specializing in public health and my paternal grand father is one of the top ten scientist Pakistan has ever produced. Their life stories are of very humble beginnings and immense resolve to succeed against all odds. My mother wants me to be a physician and I have a passion for sports so according to my father it only makes sense that I pursue a career in sports medicine. I am confident that with the work ethic and resolve that is in my blood through my heritage, I will be able to succeed

I have been involved in community service activities volunteering at Feed the Hungry/Islamic conventions as well as planting fruits and vegetables for a community in South Africa. I used to think that everyone had a chance to succeed if they simply worked hard, but as I joined ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America) Relief: Feed the Hungry, I learned otherwise. I was honestly shocked to see that in the richest country in the world there were homeless and hungry. This program, Feed the Hungry, really helped me realize that there is salvation in helping others in need. I am looking forward to my next chapter in life. Although I have personal goals, I would be more than happy to have a meaningful college experience developing long lasting relationships as I attain knowledge and develop as a leader on and off the field