Luke Pena '14 Recruiting Profile

I am Luke Pena and I am grateful for my life, my family, and the challenges I have had which have helped me become a better person and athlete. My mother has Multiple Sclerosis and my parents are divorced. Playing football, basketball, and focusing on my goals of going to college has kept me focused, motivated, and moving forward in a positive and humble manner. For example, when my parents got divorced two years ago I started having trouble with my grades and I was told I could not continue playing basketball at my school , Newburgh Free Academy in Newburgh NY, unless I improved my grades. At that point I enjoyed playing sports, but it was not until I was faced with the prospect of having to leave the team did I realize how important playing sports are to me. I was faced with a decision about how I was going to move forward and the person I wanted to be. I decided that I wanted to be part of the team, that I wanted to compete in sports, that I wanted to contribute to my team, that I wanted to make me dream come true of playing sports at the college level, and more importantly be the first person in my family to complete college. My grades improved, I now have a B average, and have made both the varsity football and basketball team at my high school and I have not looked back. I believe I have a lot to offer as a player and member of team. Despite financial difficulties my parents have sacrificed so that I could attend five star camps and attend point guard college for basketball. One of the lessons I have learned from these camps is the importance of strategy, reading the field of play, and working as part of a team. I have also been part of multiple sports teams including Newburgh Zion Lions for AAU basketball since 2009 . Since then I have been playing varsity basketball and football at my high school. I am 5’11 and weigh 185 lbs. I can bench 215 and squat 315. As my video illustrates some of my most important strengths include my athleticism, coordination, and quick thinking on the field. In football I am known for my ability to tackle players. In basketball I am known for “attacking the rim” or being aggressive with penetrating the other teams defense and scoring. One of the lessons I have learnt from my father is the importance of cooperating with my teammates and to learn as much as I can from my coaches. Some of my goals as an athlete is to gain strength and size without compromising my speed, athleticism, and coordination. I also continue to work hard throughout the year to improve my skills in football and basketball while keeping my grades up. One of my dreams is to play sports at the college level. I love to compete and to be part of a team. More importantly, I want to be the first person in my family to complete college. I want to be a role model for my younger brother and sister. I am not sure what I want to do when I finish, maybe working in the field of technology or business. I am also considering majoring in computer science. If given the opportunity to make my dream come true I will work hard every day not to disappoint my coach, my team, my parents, my brother and sister, or myself.