Matthew Rowley '21 Recruiting Profile

As being a Student Athlete and a member of the Cystic Fibrosis community, I strive to succeed as a member of the academic as well as the athletic community. Growing up having Cystic Fibrosis, a terminal illness that effects the lungs and pancreas primarily, along with other vital organs causing deterioration, often leading to death. In 2012, a medicine called Kalydeco was released and i was placed on it. In the following years I began to succeed beyond what I had been able to do in the past: however, in 2016 my health took a sudden decline. My CF doctor told me i may never be able to play at the same level of sports I previously had played, but I only used this as a motivation to strive beyond what I had accomplished in the past. I wanted to play football, a sport i was told I would never be ale to compete in. In eighth grade I tried out and made the team at Slidell Jr. High School and became the new starter. I continued onto high school where I sat back and learned from our senior kicker, while still giving him competition. Now entering the 2019 season, my Junior year, I strive to be better than all the competition out there. I have the determination to prove to the doctors and everyone who has doubted me in the past to prove it is possible for someone with Cystic Fibrosis is capable of succeeding in sports at the highest level of competition there is. My dedication to the sport along with my work ethic has made me become the Student Athlete I am today. In the class of 2021, i am ranked in the top 10 through Hammer Kicking Academy. I believe the amount of work I put in to better myself for the team goes unnoticed until the pads go on, helmet straps up, and the Friday Night Lights come on.