Jacob Miller '18 Recruiting Profile

Walking into the boathouse on the first day of practice, I had no idea what to expect.  I had never touched an oar in my life, much less rowed. Following in the footsteps of my sister who had rowed collegiately, it couldn’t hurt to at least give it a try.  

After all, I fit the physical description of what the team was looking for.  This and the fact that my athletic endeavors in other sports never lived up to expectations.  Whether it was being politely “excused” from youth soccer for being too physical, missing the game winning shot in my championship basketball game, or playing through multiple winless seasons of football, it’s safe to say childhood sports were rough for me.  Despite this, a competitive vigor still raged inside me and I needed something to appease it. Rowing seemed different, a fresh start of sorts.  

All those years of being denied success hurt, but more than that, it fueled the fire.  I quickly learned how important that same intensity was in the sport of rowing. The erg, while brutal at times, was the ultimate outlet for this fervor.  This showed in the scores on the monitor. It didn’t take long to get noticed by the coaches and earn a seat in the second varsity eight that fall. That spring, I would battle into the top varsity boat.  Being in the boat only amplified this ferocity and before I knew it, I was hooked. Rowing had become so much more than a hobby, it became my passion.

In my time at the University of Delaware, I have grown into a respectable oarsman.  I have much to learn, but with proper coaching and resources I know I will reach my true potential.  At this point in my collegiate career, I am more driven than ever and feel the need to keep pursuing more ambitious goals.  Winning a gold medal at the ACRA Championship will forever be one of my proudest moments, but inside I know there is more to be accomplished.  I believe that as a part of a stronger, more established program, these goals can be attained. In return, I can offer my skills, dedication, and work ethic.  I am confident this combination will allow me to reach my aspirations and, with that, take my new team to the next level.