Clay Dickinson '16 Recruiting Profile

As a child, I first became interested in football from watching it on TV and from my older brother. I started playing football competitively in grade school and the desire to push myself into an even better athlete has grown with me through my high school years. I have been fortunate to have a supportive family as well as a few great friends that have never given up on me and have pushed me to be the best person and athlete that I can be, in both football and wrestling.

One of the biggest things that I have learned through playing football is putting trust in my teammates and to most importantly believe in myself and my abilities. When something seems difficult, it does not mean that it is impossible but rather it means that I have to work even harder to reach my goal. I have truly surprised myself with what I am capable of.

Being part of a team is a great feeling; however, being a leader of that team is an even greater feeling. My goal as team captain as I finished my final year of high school football was to be a role model/leader to the younger players and I feel that I accomplished that goal. Even though we did not have a stand-out season, the team as a whole showed great sportsmanship as well as respect for other teams, officials and most of all each other. I am proud to say that I had a part in influencing the team members to never give up as well as forming a tighter bond within the team.

My plans after high school had included playing  football for a college team while  pursing a degree in the criminal justice field.  My path changed as I signed to wrestle for Concordia University in Seward. I still have a desire to compete in football at the college level and it has been hard choosing between the two sports.  My goal continues no matter what sport I am dedicating myself to, which is to continue strengthening  my body and perfecting my athletic abilities while gaining a quality education.