Jordan Manges '15 Recruiting Profile

My name is Jordan Manges, 12th grade, I go to Illinois school for the deaf. I believe I can lead college team to victory road.

My story.

I remember the moment in the past when I entered state for track; I was placed 8th in the 100 meter dash.  In 8th grade, I was the fastest kid in the conference and Morgan County.  I thought I was the fastest kid on the earth, but I didn’t know about Usain Bolt at that point.  I remember the sound of the starting gun, the fans cheering, and the time I ran.  At state, I was playing around and laughing at the runner that I would race against.  I was so anxious when they announced my name that I was going into the finals. I tried to be self-confident and find courage. I was in lane four; next to me were the fastest kids like me. “Bam” I trotted as hard as I could to the finish line and placed 8th. I felt mortified and told my coach I can’t run anymore. Inside of me I could, but I gave up on myself and lied to the coach. After that experience at state, I thought deaf athletes can’t be successful until I read about other deaf athletes that have been successful. That changed my mind and ever since then I’ve been working hard.

I believe that deaf athletes can be successful. I believe that they can make it to the Olympics if they work hard enough. If deaf athletes take their coaches’ advice they can be as successful as hearing athletes.

I told my grandpa that I would never make it to the Olympics for track because hearing athletes are too good and deaf athletes are not good enough.  He told me, “Just keep trying to break through that wall until it shatters; you will find the right path to success.”  I was stunned and started to consider that I could be a good athlete just like other hearing athletes.  I remember Kenny Walker was the first deaf player to play for the NFL, and Curtis Pride was the second deaf baseball player to play professional.  Why can’t I? I have a friend name Dwayne Esper; he used to be my teammate on track when I was a sophomore. Anyway the point is that he wants to be an elite athlete for I.S.D and he did it with hard work. He won the silver medal at state. He went to the deaf Olympics and won four medals. Since he accomplished all those goals, that means I can do it too.  Deaf athletes can do anything.

The last words my grandpa spoke to me were to be patient and the sky will clear up and you will see the opportunities in front of you.  I grew up in the hood where bad things happen every day, but my obsession for sports has kept me out of trouble. I just want to be the first deaf athlete from my streets to become a professional athlete. I believe I can do it.  I believe deaf athlete can be successful.