All photos by Margot Kelly/Arizona Milesplit
It's that time of year where many athletes are making verbal commitments to Colleges prior to the February signing.
We begin our College commitment series with Robert (Bobby) Grant from Brophy College Prep who just verbally committed to the University of Miami. A small private college with a top 50 ranking.
Bobby Grant started his high school career as a football player and a track and field sprinter, running the 100 and 200 meter dash. His sophomore year he decided to try the hurdles - quickly moving from a 41.14 his opening meet of the season to a 37.95 a few months later.
As a junior Grant finished the 300 hurdles in an Arizona All Time #2 time of 36.88 at the AZ Division 1 State Championships. His time earned him a US#11 spot to finish out the 2013 season and he returns at the start of the 2014 season at US#4.
Colleges Visited:
"Over the course of these last few months I officially visited University of California Berkeley and Texas Christian University in September. Took a short break to recuperate then in November I went down to south beach to the University of Miami then the following weekend visited the University of Tennessee. As well as visiting those four schools I did two unofficial visits, one to UCLA and one to U of A."
How he picked the colleges he wanted to visit:
"After July 1st coaches started calling and I started receiving interest from a lot of universities around the nation. At first I was overwhelmed but after a while I started narrowing down my list. My first visit was to Cal. I chose to visit here because of their unparalleled academic excellence and their well-established track program. I also have a close friend on the team, Randy Bermea who I ran against at great southwest when I was a sophomore. He has mentored me throughout my track career, always being supportive and looking for ways to help me. After that I traveled to Texas and saw the beautiful Campus of TCU. I chose to visit TCU because of the great track program and the comfortable feel of the campus. To me it felt like another Brophy or Xavier, the academics are great and a lot of my friends from Brophy attend the school currently. After that I visited the University of Miami and I really enjoyed everything about it. I visited the school because of their strong academics just like Cal and I liked how their men’s program is on the rise and I could help establish something there. As well as a strong coaching staff in Coach Amy Deem, Coach Devin West, and Coach Shannon Hatchet who I know will help me master my craft and become a great hurdler. Finally I visited Tennessee. I chose to visit this school because the coach there is amazing and has a great outlook on life. I knew I wanted to go somewhere in the south and I have always loved the university of Tennessee so I went to check it out. My unofficial visits also went very well. UCLA is a great institution with a strong program and great academics and U of A is a great school in Arizona and the Head Coach, Coach Harvey was very supportive and helped me throughout this process."
Choosing the University of Miami:
"After a long and arduous process I decided to become a Miami Hurricane. I visited skeptically not knowing what to expect never traveling to Miami or even Florida, however I had a great time on my visit, meshing well with the team and seeing myself as a cane was not too hard to imagine. I chose to go to school here for so many reasons but it just felt right to me like so many athletes say. Right when I stepped on campus I knew that it was the place for me. University of Miami is the perfect size with only 10,000 undergraduates so I wouldn’t feel lost in a sea of students like a bigger university. I have never seen a prettier campus in my entire life it was unlike any other campus I had seen before. It is the most diverse university I visited which was something I was looking for, it represents all 50 states and numerous countries, and the international flare was unparalleled. Coach Deem at the school is the director of Track and field but also the hurdles coach and she is a guru in my event the 400 hurdles. Devin West the men’s head coach is a great sprint coach coming from FSU where he helped the men’s team to a great NCAA sprints finish. I felt after going on that visit that with their help I could achieve all my goals not only on the track but as a person as well. My goal is to run in the Olympics and I definitely believe those coaches can get me there. I also love the school colors and the atmosphere of the university in the student body, so much passion and pride in the school.(also you can’t beat that Miami weather, 70’s all year? It’s a hurdler and sprinters paradise)."
For most athletes - the most difficult part of the recruiting process:
"It was so hard for me to call the coaches and tell them I wouldn’t be attending their school because I had developed such a strong relationship with so many of them. I’m also a people pleaser and hate letting people down so for me it was very difficult to tell coaches I couldn’t attend their institution. The best part had to be telling my family over thanksgiving lunch. Having my whole family in town to be there for my announcement was so special for me, especially being able to tell my little cousin Nicholas in person because I know how much he looks up to me."
Looking forward to:
"To be a part of something special. I had the opportunity to meet with Miami President Donna Shalala who is 100% behind the track program. Because of her support the track program has upgraded their entire coaching staff, athletic facilities, and their ability to recruit the top athletes in the nation. Everyone involved is very excited about what is yet to come. My class coming in will be very strong and we are looking to make waves in the track and field world. I guarantee you our men’s program will be something to remember in the four years I am there and beyond. I also will be looking forward to going to school somewhere I’ve never been before and to go to a school as academically strong as Miami. Overall I feel the school is a great fit for me and I can’t wait to go down there and continue to use my god given gifts."
Congratulations Robert Grant!!
