Personal Statement
Hello Coach, I am Caleb Young.
I attend Lemont High School in Lemont, IL. My collegiate goals are to play football at the highest level possible while obtaining a good college education. My parents are both educators, and academic success is a priority in our house. I am proud of displaying above average grades while enrolled in traditional college level courses as well as honors courses. However, my passion for football is driving my search for a college where I can be successful on the football field as well as in the classroom.
In terms of football success, my junior year has proven that my work during the off season created opportunities for success on the field. Lemont High School finished during the quarterfinals of the state playoffs with a record of 11-1, and I was able to personally end with the recognition of being on the all conference team. While this is based on my achievement on the field, I pride myself in my work ethic and dedication to the team and personal improvement.
It is now time for me to continue to grow. I learned that after my sophomore year as a starter on the varsity team the time in the weight room and conditioning was critical to being a key player for the team. The time in the off season improved my performance on the field this past fall. I expect to improve even more. Right now I am balancing the physical growth and increased speed for preparation for the 2017 football season, maintaining strong academic performance and preparing to play baseball in the spring as an outfielder.
While my interest in sports keep my time very busy, I have been taught to help others as much as you are getting help. Last summer, my only time away from training was to spend a week on a mission trip in the urban setting of Denver. While this was time away from the physical training for football, the experience impacted my life.
To continue helping others, I have used my Wednesday mornings to work with a group of students in the Special Education Department during the school year. Our manager of the football program is special needs, and the coach encouraged me to work with him and others in the Breakfast Buddies program. It took me one week of this experience to realize that while I am helping this group of students they are helping me as well. The positive outlook from this group of students is contagious. It is only 45 minutes on a Wednesday morning, but the impact can ground me for several days.
It is my goal to be the student athlete with the balance of athleticism, academics and personal character. Any one piece of excellence is an accomplishment, but I believe the integration of the different aspects of life will take me further personally and for a college football program.
