Many students play a high school sport for all four years, but not everyone decides to play a sport in college. Luckily for Emmanuel Olojo (Manny), he was offered to play at Valparaiso University. Manny will be playing Division 1 football as a Defensive Line, and he will major in Business.
Manny had to work hard to get where he is today, but many key factors motivated him.
“Who got me here today first and foremost was God because without him I would be nothing, My family, coaches and trainers also helped significantly. The trainers helped especially with rehabbing me to be the greatest athlete I can be,” Olojo said.
Additionally, Manny spends a lot of time in the weight room, and when he is there he utilizes his time well. Manny has had after-school workouts since his freshman year and started Varsity Physical Education during his junior year. He worked a lot with Physical Welfare teacher Thomas Dellota and has gotten stronger since his freshman year.
“So Manny, and I’m not lying, is probably the strongest athlete I’ve ever had underneath me just ever since he came in as a freshman. We even had to order a set of new weights just because he was so strong and he keeps breaking past any barrier he ever has. So he is, um, a freak of nature,” Dellota said.
At the beginning of Manny’s junior year, he had a knee injury that specifically affected his meniscus. He had to push through but was still able to maintain a strong mindset throughout the setbacks.
Physical Welfare teacher and football coach Aaron Diggs has seen Manny grow both as a person and an athlete during his years, especially with how he matured during all four years of high school.
“When Manny first started, I think he was a little immature in terms of his leadership. [Now] he has matured and become a leader… He now understands what it means to be a collegiate athlete. He has become more vocal, an extension of the coaching staff and now holds people accountable, which is something he didn’t always do,” Diggs said.
Because less than three percent of all high school players make it to the Division 1 level, Manny had to make sure to prioritize his work ethic. With his coach put on leave mid-season Manny had to step up as a leader. He also had to stray away from the people and environments around him that held him back.
“I think at the end of the day it comes down to choices. Manny made a decision to separate himself from people and environments that were holding him back and he also did some inward reflecting and decided that he wanted to be better. Is he perfect? No, none of us are. But he is consistently working on improving. He is also relentless is his pursuit for greatness. Football is not easy. Late nights, early mornings, blood, sweat and tears. And he endures, and that’s why he has a chance,” special education teacher and former coach Nick Torresso said.
Being an athlete takes up a lot of Manny’s time, but outside of school he has a cologne collection and he likes to rotate his scents.
Manny has insight for younger players.
“For younger players, I would say to take care of your body, school work and your grade point average (GPA). Doing your school work and keeping up a good GPA will put you above your peers,” Olojo said.