My name is Grady Thompson, and I am from Princeton, Illinois. I am a sophomore at UD majoring in Business Administration and play on the UD Men’s basketball team. My future career dream is to open my own business in the health and fitness field.
Princeton is a small town in central Illinois where everyone knows everyone. Coming to UD everything was new to me. I did not know anyone, which was a huge change from walking down the hall at Princeton High School where I knew everyone by name. The time I have been attending UD I have felt welcomed and have noticed the importance of success both in and out of the classroom. My teammates, fellow classmates, and the UD faculty have all pushed me to be a better person, student, and athlete. Trying to be the best me I can be everyday as an athlete and student can be an incredibly stressful thing. The pressure is always there but taking care of myself physically and mentally is my number one goal.
Playing basketball has always been my safe place. The court is the place where I can escape the stresses that life can throw at me. My basketball is the most reliable thing in the world as I can always count on my basketball bouncing right back to me. Life is much like a basketball; you might lose some air sometimes but fill yourself up with some new air and just keeping bouncing.
