Defying the Odds to Become that 1 in 100 Success Story
Defying the Odds to Become that 1 in 100 Success Story
Nick Andersen is a quiet unassuming 18-year-old freshman at Wake Forest University. If you saw him walking the campus, you would probably guess he was on the chess club or played the saxophone in the band. He’s not real big. He was offered three scholarships to play football at smaller schools, but he just wasn’t enthused. Andersen wanted to play ACC football. The problem, of course, was that no ACC team offered him a scholarship. Wake Forest was impressed, but not enough to offer him a scholarship. So, they offered him “preferred walk-on” status. This means he gets to practice and play with the team, but he doesn’t get any financial assistance to play football.
Most walk-ons don’t see playing time and they certainly don’t see playing time as a freshman. However, on Saturday against ranked Virginia Tech, Andersen made his second start as a defensive back. And he made the most of it. He made three interceptions and had 11 tackles. Those are the kind of stats that look outstanding for a defensive player at the end of the season, but Andersen had these stats in the second game of his career.
After the game, his teammates hoisted him on their shoulders and began chanting, “Scholarship…scholarship.” And, during the post-game press conference, Coach Dave Clawson acknowledged that a scholarship will be coming his way in a couple of months.
This made his teammates happy. “Nick, that’s my homeboy. He’s a hell of a player. Walk-on but we treat him like a starter, we treat him like a scholarship player. If anybody on the team deserves a scholarship on the roster, it’s Nick,” redshirt senior Boogie Basham said. “He is an absolute dog. For him to be a walk-on on a Division-I level and do what he did these last couple of games, especially today, that just shows you that if you put in the time and dedication into anything, you can make anything happen,” said senior Sulaiman Kamara.
Joe’s Perspective: I love these stories. I love hearing about the little guy who believes in himself and sets out to prove himself. Nothing was promised or given to him, he just went out and earned it. Please keep in mind, for every 1 Nick Andersen out there, there are 50-100 stories of walk-ons who never receive playing time. No doubt, this is a long-shot story. However, for me, I say, who cares. Sometimes you just have to have the courage to go after something that matters to you. Sometimes you just have to believe in yourself so much that you are willing to defy all the odds. That’s how people succeed. No one ever became a star player or CEO or scientist or successful entrepreneur without going after it. To you, I say go after it.
Your Turn: Do you have the courage necessary to go after your your big goals? Explain.
I felt it was inspiring as it shows anyone can accomplish what they put there heart and soul into. I love that he was so humble and devoted to the team even though he didn’t originally have a scholarship, it truly demonstrated his love for the game.
Going after your goals isn’t hard, achieving them is where hard work comes in. Nick Anderson had scholarships to other schools, yet he did not settle for less. Success is not always a strait path, and this story proves that.
I don’t know if I would take such the risk he did by not going to the colleges that offered him scholarships I would like to think I have that courage idk if I actually do.
I’m not sure if I would have gone to a college that didn’t offer me a scholarship. I don’t think I’ve seen someone that has went to play and not have a scholarship
Anyone can keep pushing themselves and doing the best thing for the situation, if you work hard enough you’ll be able to accomplish an assortment of things.
I have the determination to accomplish my goals. I’ve worked hard and accomplished others in my past. If I put that say work and apply it to my current goals I believe I can accomplish them.
I can’t tell you if I have the courage to go after my big goals or not, because I am afraid of failure. So it probably depends on how much of a risk it will be.
These kind of stories especially athletes really make you wonder is the work your during getting you to where you wanna be or if the sport your in is what you truly want to do with yourself
Yes I have the courage necessary to go after my big goals. I have the courage because I am very determined and goal driven. I know that I have to work really hard to accomplish my goals, but it will all be worth it in the end.
I think that it is hard to have that much courage, but that it is 100% possible. I feel like if I really set my mind to it, I have the courage to get to the places I want to be someday and that it will take a lot of hard work but will be worth it in the end.
I think I have the courage to go after my big goals. I think if I want something enough I will do everything in my power to make it happen. I also think that if I want to get where I want in life when I’m older then that courage is going to be vital.
I absolutely think courage is necessary to go after your goals. You won’t get anything done if you’re scared to try something now. Courage is pushing forward and fear hold you back.
I think I have the courage to because I am always used to being an underdog of some sort. I think this gives me great courage and the ability to do something special.
I don’t know if I have the courage to go after my goals. It’s a terrifying thing do you have a pipe dream you don’t think you can achieve. I’m trying to push myself towards my goal every day, but when I still don’t think I have a chance at achieving my dreams, it becomes harder to give my 100% the next day and the day after that.
Yes I have courage and yes I have a motivation, and yes I have strength. It’s hard though when your standing alone. We are always learning and growing. There is no such thing as mastering cause we are always continuing to set goals and complete them. I am willing to take any leap to get where I want to be
I believe that you have to have courage to achieve your goals in life but some people in life like to break you down and make you believe that your not able to do your goals but you should always try to stick around the people who help you in life
I believe that courage can take you a long way. If you have courage you can almost achieve anything you put your mind to. I have courage and motivation to achieve my goals, but it’s hard when adversity hits but you have to push through and keep working.
This blog is very inspiring and gives hope to other hard working athletes. Although not many people had faith in him, he worked hard and persevered to reach his goals despite others doubts.
This story shows integrity by a boy named Nick, getting put on a walk-on to see if he was good enough for a scholarship at a bigger university for football. He stood by what he did best and knew his morals as he did to show how good of a player he could be. He did this and passed the test, getting that scholarship.
This story shows that it’s important to have confidence in yourself and to push yourself ahead. Having courage is critical for determining your future and insuring your goals. I think self-doubt is the main thing holding people back and which is also something people need to see past.
I think that it was inspiring how even though he was a walk on he did not let that get in the way of achieving his dream.
I agree with this because he didn’t let the walk on student get into his head and played really well and got the scholarship
I agree. He didn’t let the new student get in the way of his goals, and fluster him.
I agree, he didnt let him get to himself emotionally and he continued to play well.
I think it is very important to have courage especially in yourself to go after big goals because no one will stop you from getting a goal but you !
I love that even though he wasn’t especially popular or anything like that, but he was still able to achieve his dream.
Without effort and perseverance you won’t make it far, to accomplish your goals you must give it more effort than the guy next to you
I felt it was inspiring as it shows anyone can accomplish what they put there heart and soul into. I love that he was so humble and devoted to the team even though he didn’t originally have a scholarship, it truly demonstrated his love for the game.
I thought he believed and knew he could reach his goal. He deserved more than what they originally credited him of and he proved them wrong.
Going after your goals isn’t hard, achieving them is where hard work comes in. Nick Anderson had scholarships to other schools, yet he did not settle for less. Success is not always a strait path, and this story proves that.
It’s crazy how he pushed himself through the hard times to accomplish his dream in the end.
Yes I do because I believe in my self and my skills to reach my goals
Yes, I believe I have the courage to go and achieve the goals i want to achieve
I think this is important because without perseverance and trying your best, it is hard to attain your goals.
i would say i have the courage to go after my big goals but i definitely struggle with courage in other aspects.
I don’t know if I would take such the risk he did by not going to the colleges that offered him scholarships I would like to think I have that courage idk if I actually do.
I love that even though he wasn’t especially popular or anything like that, but he was still able to achieve his dream.
I would say I would go for big goals. I would want to have those goals and courage for myself.
I don’t think I would have the courage to what he did. It was incredibly risky but I am happy that he was able to follow his dreams.
Yes I have to courage to follow my dreams because my dreams are not big dreams
I like to think that I have the courage to go after my big goals like that, but it’s tough to say because it can be really risky.
I’m not sure if I would have gone to a college that didn’t offer me a scholarship. I don’t think I’ve seen someone that has went to play and not have a scholarship
I think I have the courage to go after my goals and do what I have to do to achieve them.
Anyone can keep pushing themselves and doing the best thing for the situation, if you work hard enough you’ll be able to accomplish an assortment of things.
I think I have enough courage to do what is required of me and to do more to achieve my goals.
I like how he pushed through hard times to get to the accomplishment
I think I have the courage to go for anything I truly believe i want for my future.
I have the determination to accomplish my goals. I’ve worked hard and accomplished others in my past. If I put that say work and apply it to my current goals I believe I can accomplish them.
I like how he tried hard in order to obtain his goals
I like how he fought to achieve victory.
It’s impressive that he was able to put in the work to get playing time despite being a walk on. He was still able to get what he wanted.
I can’t tell you if I have the courage to go after my big goals or not, because I am afraid of failure. So it probably depends on how much of a risk it will be.
Working hard to achieve your goals is a must
Yes I have the courage to go after my dreams because i want to accomplish my dreams.
I think that anyone can accomplish anything if you put the work in and are opened for criticism.
Yes I could. If you go so far and gain an amazing opportunity, the only option is to make the absolute most of it.
I love listening to these kind of stories because it inspires me to be better
These kind of stories especially athletes really make you wonder is the work your during getting you to where you wanna be or if the sport your in is what you truly want to do with yourself
i would go for my big goals but not sure, I would want to have goals to push myself to achieve big things like he did
The only way to be better than you competition is to make sure there is never a time where they are working when you aren’t.
I admire how he pushed himself for his goal and achieved it.
Yes I have the courage necessary to go after my big goals. I have the courage because I am very determined and goal driven. I know that I have to work really hard to accomplish my goals, but it will all be worth it in the end.
I do have courage because if it’s my goal I’m going to work hard to get it done
I like hearing this story because the kid was an underdog. I think I have some courage to get my goals but maybe not all the way there yet.
I think that it is hard to have that much courage, but that it is 100% possible. I feel like if I really set my mind to it, I have the courage to get to the places I want to be someday and that it will take a lot of hard work but will be worth it in the end.
I think I have the courage to go after my big goals. I think if I want something enough I will do everything in my power to make it happen. I also think that if I want to get where I want in life when I’m older then that courage is going to be vital.
I absolutely think courage is necessary to go after your goals. You won’t get anything done if you’re scared to try something now. Courage is pushing forward and fear hold you back.
I think I do have the courage because if I want something I am very determined and will work super hard to get it no matter what obstacles I face.
I think I have the courage to because I am always used to being an underdog of some sort. I think this gives me great courage and the ability to do something special.
I don’t know if I have the courage to go after my goals. It’s a terrifying thing do you have a pipe dream you don’t think you can achieve. I’m trying to push myself towards my goal every day, but when I still don’t think I have a chance at achieving my dreams, it becomes harder to give my 100% the next day and the day after that.
Yes I have courage and yes I have a motivation, and yes I have strength. It’s hard though when your standing alone. We are always learning and growing. There is no such thing as mastering cause we are always continuing to set goals and complete them. I am willing to take any leap to get where I want to be
i would say i have the courage to go after my big goals but i definitely struggle with courage in other aspects.
I’d say I definitely do not have the courage to do anything new but I’m working on it
I believe that you have to have courage to achieve your goals in life but some people in life like to break you down and make you believe that your not able to do your goals but you should always try to stick around the people who help you in life
Having courage isn’t the hard part of achieving your goals, the hardest part is sticking through with it and seeing it out.
I think it is very important to have courage especially in yourself to go after big goals because no one will stop you from getting a goal but you !
I think it is important to have courage especially in yourself to go after big goals because nobody will stop you from getting a goal but you.
I believe that courage can take you a long way. If you have courage you can almost achieve anything you put your mind to. I have courage and motivation to achieve my goals, but it’s hard when adversity hits but you have to push through and keep working.
I liked this post because it was inspiring to other athletes out there who don’t think they have what it takes.
I lied this article because it pertained to what we are learning and I like football.
This blog is very inspiring and gives hope to other hard working athletes. Although not many people had faith in him, he worked hard and persevered to reach his goals despite others doubts.
This story shows integrity by a boy named Nick, getting put on a walk-on to see if he was good enough for a scholarship at a bigger university for football. He stood by what he did best and knew his morals as he did to show how good of a player he could be. He did this and passed the test, getting that scholarship.
This story shows that it’s important to have confidence in yourself and to push yourself ahead. Having courage is critical for determining your future and insuring your goals. I think self-doubt is the main thing holding people back and which is also something people need to see past.