Hunter Sallis: My Wake Forest Story
2/15/2024 10:16:00 AM | Men's Basketball
As a young basketball player from Omaha, Nebraska, my journey to Wake Forest University was not an easy path. It has been a journey that has taken me through high hopes and unfortunate trials. Being named a McDonald's All-American in high school was a dream come true, and I carried that as a badge of honor along with the stress of expectation with pride as I started my college basketball career at my first university. However, what I hadn't anticipated was the rough path that awaited me. It was filled with unexpected challenges and a test of my mental strength. Unfortunately for me, right after I made a choice to attend the first university, the recruiting coach who had initially discovered me left for a head coaching job and this immediately left a concern that I didn't anticipate. Suddenly, I found myself trying to figure everything out about college basketball at a high level without a trusted advocate in my corner. The absence of that coach's support and guidance ultimately took a toll on my confidence and left me with doubts I had never dealt with being alone before. You see in high school, success came easy to me, and I was accustomed to being a dominant force on the court. However, the transition to college proved to be a humbling experience. Struggling to find my footing amidst fierce competition, I faced setbacks that challenged not only my skills but also my self-belief. Although my father always told me to never let a coach control my confidence, in my mind, it was easier said than done. As I watched my minutes on the court go down and my performance drop, I couldn't help but feel that I had disappointed my city, state, family, and myself. The love I used to have for the game was gone, and now I was dealing with a lot of frustration and self-doubt, and I questioned whether I had what it took to meet my lifetime dream of playing on the big stage. Even though I had the support of the school, community, and teammates, I just felt they never fully believed in my potential. Once I found myself questioning whether I was chasing a hopeless dream, I knew it was time to have a serious conversation with my parents about my goals, aspirations, and the roadblocks I faced at this university. It was clear that I had to put my name into the transfer portal. I had to get a new start; one that would offer me a fresh start and the support of my parents.
Choosing Wake Forest was a decision fueled by fear of the unknown and a desire to compete at the highest level. Sure, there are a lot of positive things to attract a player such as myself, such as a close-knit community centered around basketball. That was cool to me, especially knowing the deep rivalries that you grew up hearing about. The weather was also amazing, especially when you are from the Midwest. The winters are so mild in comparison to Nebraska. But none of that was the deciding factor. It was getting a good education and Coach Forbes. He is a big reason why I came to Wake Forest and he has played a major role in my success and all the great things to come. I spent a lot of time in this letter discussing the past because it was tough, and I went through a lot of adversity. But I will never forget the talk that Forbes had with me. He talked to me about drawing strength from within and playing with a chip to get through it. Coach Forbes reminded me that my confidence was only fractured and not broken. He spoke to me about my achievements and told me not to worry about what happened at the last school. He shared with me that he is a coach who allows his players to be themselves, and he doesn't try to force them to play or act in a way that is uncomfortable to them. This conversation had a major impact on me and made me feel relaxed at that point. I was able to feel like I would be a part of something positive. He spoke to me about being a part of Wake Forest, the culture, and the team so that everyone would work together to meet their goals.
While initially, my focus was on the basketball court, I quickly realized that I had to change gears and welcome the academic side of Wake Forest. Meeting the demands of the classroom is a whole different pressure. I had to adjust to being at a new school, which meant working with new professors and staff. This also meant I needed to start a new relationship on the campus with people who are here to help me. As I continue to adjust, I find myself taking full advantage of more and more resources and support systems that Wake Forest has to offer. Mrs. Caldwell, who works with my academics, has played a big role so far in my journey. She continues to provide me with guidance, and encouragement even at times when I don't come off as appreciating it as I should. In this short time, Wake Forest's classes are starting to have an impact on me. I am starting to recognize the respect of a Wake Forest education. When I speak to people and tell them what school I go to, it is not about the sports; it's about how big of a deal it is to graduate with a degree from Wake Forest. As I complete this semester, I will look forward to talking to younger students about my experiences at Wake Forest. Whether it's through mentoring younger students in this community or in my hometown. My success will not only be in basketball achievements but also in growth, overcoming adversity, and getting a great education. And for that, I thank Coach Forbes, Mrs. Caldwell, and the Wake Forest community for embracing me.
Choosing Wake Forest was a decision fueled by fear of the unknown and a desire to compete at the highest level. Sure, there are a lot of positive things to attract a player such as myself, such as a close-knit community centered around basketball. That was cool to me, especially knowing the deep rivalries that you grew up hearing about. The weather was also amazing, especially when you are from the Midwest. The winters are so mild in comparison to Nebraska. But none of that was the deciding factor. It was getting a good education and Coach Forbes. He is a big reason why I came to Wake Forest and he has played a major role in my success and all the great things to come. I spent a lot of time in this letter discussing the past because it was tough, and I went through a lot of adversity. But I will never forget the talk that Forbes had with me. He talked to me about drawing strength from within and playing with a chip to get through it. Coach Forbes reminded me that my confidence was only fractured and not broken. He spoke to me about my achievements and told me not to worry about what happened at the last school. He shared with me that he is a coach who allows his players to be themselves, and he doesn't try to force them to play or act in a way that is uncomfortable to them. This conversation had a major impact on me and made me feel relaxed at that point. I was able to feel like I would be a part of something positive. He spoke to me about being a part of Wake Forest, the culture, and the team so that everyone would work together to meet their goals.
While initially, my focus was on the basketball court, I quickly realized that I had to change gears and welcome the academic side of Wake Forest. Meeting the demands of the classroom is a whole different pressure. I had to adjust to being at a new school, which meant working with new professors and staff. This also meant I needed to start a new relationship on the campus with people who are here to help me. As I continue to adjust, I find myself taking full advantage of more and more resources and support systems that Wake Forest has to offer. Mrs. Caldwell, who works with my academics, has played a big role so far in my journey. She continues to provide me with guidance, and encouragement even at times when I don't come off as appreciating it as I should. In this short time, Wake Forest's classes are starting to have an impact on me. I am starting to recognize the respect of a Wake Forest education. When I speak to people and tell them what school I go to, it is not about the sports; it's about how big of a deal it is to graduate with a degree from Wake Forest. As I complete this semester, I will look forward to talking to younger students about my experiences at Wake Forest. Whether it's through mentoring younger students in this community or in my hometown. My success will not only be in basketball achievements but also in growth, overcoming adversity, and getting a great education. And for that, I thank Coach Forbes, Mrs. Caldwell, and the Wake Forest community for embracing me.
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