Roger Clarke '13 Recruiting Profile

The sport of basketball is something that motivates me every day from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of pursuing a career in the sport and I plan to fight through every obstacle to reach this goal by all positive means necessary. My plan to achieve this goal is maintain my determination, dedication, hard work, wisdom and heart. I believe these are some of the characteristics that individuals whom reach their highest potential have. These characteristics are driven by commitment, not only to the sport but to self. I continue to stay on task and focused throughout all my studies to receive the exceptional grades that I know I am capable of. I am a student-athlete and I believe "STUDENT" comes first because basketball is a privilege I earn through my academic accolades. Without favorable grades, basketball would not be an option for me because it would be unacceptable for my parents, my coach and I. I believe that even without basketball, being scholarly is what encourages me to commit to excellence throughout the school year. I always tell myself I can't be afraid to fail because life is full of risks and the worst risk in life is to not risk at all. The best thing you can gain from failure is insight on how to succeed the next time. The hard work I commit to on and off the court is doing what others wouldn't; whether it’s doing that extra credit assignment that's worth only five points or waking up early on a weekend to go the gym while everyone else is sleeping. A winner makes commitments, a loser makes promises. The heart is a very important organ in the human body. Everyone may have it physically but not everyone has heart mentally. I have heart mentally because I don't back down rather I step up to pressure and challenges. It only makes you better as a person. It makes you feel stronger and more confident to do things in life you never thought you would. I know that if I can continue to stay determined, dedicated, hard-working, strong-hearted and wise, I can reach my dreams and get to where I want to be in life. I can also leave an impact on the lives of others around me which I believe I can do if I am accepted to a prestigious institution. I am a very humble person and I don't discourage others even if I am placed in a higher academic position than them. It's always a great feeling to go somewhere you’ve never been before, doing something you never done before. I am always looking to inspire and push my friends into being the best that they can be and to strive for the best and nothing less.