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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Thank You Rebel Nation
4/23/2018 | Rifle
My hidden honor is being a member of the Ole Miss Rifle Team. Within the past four years I have had the opportunity to meet various individuals, some team members, and many who have just crossed my path within the Oxford community.
They have shown their support in many ways and some have grown to be family. If you were to ask me four years ago, would I have thought I would be a Division I college-athlete at Ole Miss, I probably would have laughed. I never pictured myself moving 1,000 miles away from my family and being on my own at 18 years old.
This experience has changed me for the better and has shown me that I am able to accomplish anything I put my mind to. I am able to say I have accomplished many great things and it is with honor that I acknowledge some of the individuals who have helped me achieve my goals and become the person I am today!
The first thank you I want to give is to my parents Jim and Barb Trump. Without them pushing me to be the best I can be and to pursue my dreams, I do not think that I would have made it as far as I have. They have always been there for me from the supportive move to Mississippi to the late phone calls needing advice.Their support and guidance has been a valuable asset to fulfilling my dreams. I love you guys so much and I thank you every day for persuading me to never look back and always look forward. I couldn't be more thankful for you guys!!!
Being away from my family has been very difficult for the past few years, but it allows me to be even more thankful to see each one of you when I come home. The one person in the family I want to thank especially, is my brother Jimmy. We have a special brother-sister kind of bond but no matter what we always know we love each other and will always be there for one another. He is my biggest role model in life and knowing the support he has given me has allowed me to be able to travel far from home and know that I will be okay on my own. Thank you, Jimmy, for the support along the way in the journey!
There are many individuals back home in Pennsylvania that have been great mentors to me throughout the years, but there are a couple that have helped me tremendously along the way. Two of those individuals would be Coach Joel and Mark, my high school rifle coaches. Without the dedication you both have for this sport I do not think I would be where I am today. From day one you have taught me to have discipline and the perseverance and the tolerance that I needed to have to succeed. I want to thank you greatly for pushing me and keeping me in line all of those years, even with a teenage attitude!
Toni and Mike, my air rifle coaches, they have given me so much support throughout the years and have always been dedicated to helping me whenever I need it. Without their guidance and support it would not have been possible for me to succeed to the level I am at. I want to thank them greatly for everything they have done especially in helping me achieve my goals of making Junior Olympics in Colorado Springs. These individuals and many others have shown me what it takes and how to overcome many obstacles to achieve my goals and to them I am grateful. Thank you!
Rebel Nation deserves a huge thank you as well. The support you have shown the Rifle Team is amazing. Rifle is a sport that many individuals don't know much about. Seeing each of you in the range and supporting our team is the greatest feeling to an athlete. Without your support I don't know where we'd be, but it makes us proud to be a part of this Ole Miss family! Thank you again Rebel Nation! The Ole Miss Rifle Team is preparing for great things in years to come and I am looking forward to see what their future holds. Look out Rebel Nation!
Within Rebel Nation there is also the crew behind making my college experience the best it could be these past four years. College is difficult no matter where you go or what you intend on your studies to be. You need a lot of patience and time management skills and those were not my top qualities when I arrived at Ole Miss but with their support it has allowed me to learn these qualities and has helped me to become successful throughout my years in college.
Some of the individuals that are deserving of credit for this are Anna, Josie, Drew, Maulies, Lynnette, Ross, Jess, Jen, and the rest of the athletics staff that is not mentioned! Without them I do not think it would have been possible. They have shown me that college is difficult but have helped me make it easier and the best it can be! Thank you all again.
The last individual's I would like to thank are the ones who made this experience even possible and I want to start with Valerie Boothe. When I first came to Ole Miss I was still undecided if I really wanted to be on a rifle team, but when I met Val, she made me feel as if I was home and right then I knew I wanted to be a part of her team. Val coached me for my first two years and with her support and knowledge, it allowed me to succeed to a level above my high school career. I cannot thank her enough for this experience and providing me that opportunity four years ago.
Marsha Beasley has coached me for the last two years of my career here at Ole Miss Rifle and it could not have been better. She brought new ideas, new improvements and new structure to this team which has contributed to our team atmosphere as a whole and has made it a wonderful experience. She has continued to help support me throughout my remaining years and has shown me how to improve my mental skills, which are not only usable within this sport but within society as well.
With all of the knowledge I have gained from these two aspiring women, I am grateful! It is knowledge that will aid me in future years to come and in all aspects of life. I was fortunate to have such wonderful mentors and would like to thank both of you for the opportunity to be your athlete!
With all of the thank you's I have given there is still one more important thing I must say, thank you Rebel Nation for the support along the way and for being a part of my family. Rebel Nation you are the reason I get to say,
I AM AND I ALWAYS WILL BE AN OLE MISS REBEL & HOTTY TODDY!
Thank you,
Ole Miss Rifle
Players Mentioned
