Imani Ford '16 Recruiting Profile

I pride myself on the extended efforts I make on and off the field to excel because it is my goal to do well and ensure my future success. It is a priority for me to achieve and do well in life and I realize that I cannot accomplish that through athletics alone but I have to also challenge myself academically. My aspirations require me to work hard to the best of my ability in both my academics and athletics.

My transcript will show my academic success and not my athletic skills. Therefore, it is imperative that I present myself well academically then show how I use the knowledge I have to perfect my athletic skills. The combination will ultimately satisfy my hunger to be successful as an Athlete while being prepared academically.

My hunger to succeed in athletics is my passion as a softball player. I satisfy that hunger by feeding myself with the necessary and adequate preparation of academics which allow me to better understand and perform athletically. Being a successful and skillful athlete requires knowledge in order to successfully understand the sport for excellence in performance. My success in the classroom will ensure my success on the Softball Field.

Both require dedication and commitment. I’m using softball which is my passion, as a vehicle to finance my education. I can only excel on the field if I have mastered the academic skills to work smart and thus display dedication, and team work. While on the field, I push myself, work hard and never give up. I consistently strive for excellence.

My hunger to succeed off the field is a result of family support for which I am fortunate to have. Softball has given me the confidence and self assurance I need to believe in myself and go beyond. Softball is something that I pride myself in doing as well as achieving academically personally. I am the youngest sibling in my family of a single parent and always felt I had to follow in my sister’s footsteps. My struggle to find myself and be my own person has been my barrier. I constantly found myself needing A LOT of encouragement from others.

I felt insecure if I didn’t have someone taking me by the hand and tell me it’s ok. As I looked on my bathroom mirror one day, I had an epiphany and realized I am now a High School Senior and the need I had for a boost of encouragement from others to accomplish something, was handicapping me. I looked in my mirror and read the quote that was staring at me all along and realized my true encouragement was in “me”. I want to Shout It Out that I have a vision, I believe in myself and can now encourage myself. I will always need support from others but I now can look at myself in the mirror and “believe in myself”. I can dream, believe, and follow my vision. My dream is to attend college to get a degree in Pre-Med. I believe a can achieve that goal and follow my vision of having my own Pediatric practice.

My hunger to succeed ultimately comes from within my heart. I believe that no matter what I do on or off the field that I can achieve it. I am confident and feel strong enough to DREAM…BELIEVE…CONQUER. Softball is my security in reaching my goal to achieve.