2022 Beijing Olympics
Donation protected
Howdy!
My name is Sam Moeller. I am a pilot (driver) for the United States Bobsled team training for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
It has always been a dream of mine to compete at the highest level no matter what the sport is. In college, I walked on and played football for Texas A&M University as a safety. In 2013, I was given the honor of becoming the 12th Man and wore the jersey for a record setting 39 straight games. After much hard work and dedication, in 2014, I earned a full athletic scholarship and was selected as a Texas A&M Team Captain my senior season.
In 2015, I graduated with a degree in Industrial Distribution hoping to continue my football career. After my senior season, I had the chance to go to the Dallas Cowboys Rookie Minicamp. Unfortunately, things did not work out and was cut from the team. I returned to normal life working full time for Oryx Oilfield Services and ACT Piping Supply in the DFW Metroplex.
In 2016, I was convinced to try out for the United Stated Bobsled Team. I immediately fell in love with the sport. I started as a push athlete and quickly switched over to being a pilot after one run in the driver's seat. My first season, I was lucky enough to have a very supportive boss who let me go in and out of work, so I could be able to compete and train for this new dream. But like all things, in order to be elite, I needed to focus on just one, either work or bobsled. With support and encouragement from family and friends, I decided to quit my job and chase the dream of being a Olympic Athlete for the United States of America.
This past season, I was lucky enough to team up with fellow Texas A&M teammate Boone Niederhofer and compete in both North American and European Cups. Boone and I got the chance to race and train together on some of the coolest tracks in the world, where we consistently had some of the fastest start times in each race we competed in (Lake Placid, Ny; Park City, Utah; Igls, Austria; St. Mortiz, Switzerland; Konigssee, Germany). Unfortunately, our season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past two seasons, I've learned that training to be an Olympian is not easy. Not only is it tough on your body, it is even tougher on your finances. As a pilot, I have extra financial obligations that not all bobsled athletes have. Along with paying for all flights, food, and essential gear to compete, this offseason I have to purchase my own runners (blades on the bottom of the sled). These runners are made out of stainless steel and are very expensive. Not only do I have to buy these runners, I have to buy two sets. One set for my 2man sled and one set for my 4man sled. These runners can cost anywhere between $8,000-$13,000 a set.
I am going out of my comfort zone making this GoFundme because I do not like asking people for financial help. But as an athlete that is self-funded, there is no other way I can continue to chase my dream if I have to go out of pocket to purchase these runners on my own. Any donation to help me reach my goal of the 2022 Olympics would be extremely appreciated.
Go Team USA!
Thanks and Gig'em,
Sam Moeller
My name is Sam Moeller. I am a pilot (driver) for the United States Bobsled team training for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
It has always been a dream of mine to compete at the highest level no matter what the sport is. In college, I walked on and played football for Texas A&M University as a safety. In 2013, I was given the honor of becoming the 12th Man and wore the jersey for a record setting 39 straight games. After much hard work and dedication, in 2014, I earned a full athletic scholarship and was selected as a Texas A&M Team Captain my senior season.
In 2015, I graduated with a degree in Industrial Distribution hoping to continue my football career. After my senior season, I had the chance to go to the Dallas Cowboys Rookie Minicamp. Unfortunately, things did not work out and was cut from the team. I returned to normal life working full time for Oryx Oilfield Services and ACT Piping Supply in the DFW Metroplex.
In 2016, I was convinced to try out for the United Stated Bobsled Team. I immediately fell in love with the sport. I started as a push athlete and quickly switched over to being a pilot after one run in the driver's seat. My first season, I was lucky enough to have a very supportive boss who let me go in and out of work, so I could be able to compete and train for this new dream. But like all things, in order to be elite, I needed to focus on just one, either work or bobsled. With support and encouragement from family and friends, I decided to quit my job and chase the dream of being a Olympic Athlete for the United States of America.
This past season, I was lucky enough to team up with fellow Texas A&M teammate Boone Niederhofer and compete in both North American and European Cups. Boone and I got the chance to race and train together on some of the coolest tracks in the world, where we consistently had some of the fastest start times in each race we competed in (Lake Placid, Ny; Park City, Utah; Igls, Austria; St. Mortiz, Switzerland; Konigssee, Germany). Unfortunately, our season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past two seasons, I've learned that training to be an Olympian is not easy. Not only is it tough on your body, it is even tougher on your finances. As a pilot, I have extra financial obligations that not all bobsled athletes have. Along with paying for all flights, food, and essential gear to compete, this offseason I have to purchase my own runners (blades on the bottom of the sled). These runners are made out of stainless steel and are very expensive. Not only do I have to buy these runners, I have to buy two sets. One set for my 2man sled and one set for my 4man sled. These runners can cost anywhere between $8,000-$13,000 a set.
I am going out of my comfort zone making this GoFundme because I do not like asking people for financial help. But as an athlete that is self-funded, there is no other way I can continue to chase my dream if I have to go out of pocket to purchase these runners on my own. Any donation to help me reach my goal of the 2022 Olympics would be extremely appreciated.
Go Team USA!
Thanks and Gig'em,
Sam Moeller
Organizer
Sam Moeller
Organizer
New Braunfels, TX