Help Get Local Hero Isaiah Rogers To The Olympics

Help Get Local Hero Isaiah Rogers To The Olympics

I only found out about any of this because my wife recently asked me to keep an eye out for a super cheap car, one of her favorite teachers was having to get rides to and from work, after her sons car was totaled in a freak accident at KSU.

Isaiah was driving on campus and a loose speed bump kicked up into his undercarriage and actually managed to total his car. Kennesaw reimbursed him, (This is not about them) the value of his old car, which in this economy will buy him a couple of tanks of gas and a scratch off ticket.

This would be a disaster for any college student but Isaiah also happens to be an athlete, who after recovering from a torn pectoral muscle won KSU's 1st ever National Title, and is currently training for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

We tell our children that if they work hard and do there right things they will prosper, well this young man has done the right thing his entire life and has put in the hard work needed to be a champion. It enrages me to think a crap economy and a literal speed bump could derail Isaiahs plans.

I told Isaiah that I am trying to help him find an old beater to drive so he can stop sharing with his mother, and that I might be able to raise a few bucks to help him out if he gave me a BIO to share with some friends, I will include that below.

And that was the original plan, but after finding out all the details of Isaiahs situation I don't think that's good enough. The donations will be used to 1st purchase reliable transportation.I have contacted a couple of dealerships about finding a deal on something nice and reliable for him. (No sense giving him something he can't afford to fix in 6 months) but I also would like to give him whatever extra we are able to raise in the form of a "Scholarship" to support his training.

Under normal circumstances asking someone to go to school, compete as a D1 Athlete, and then also to train for the Olympics is insane, exactly how are they suppose to eat with no support. Now imagine trying to do it in todays economy.

Back in the day Neighborhoods and communities used to band together and help when one of their own was trying to do something special, I think it is time to bring that back.

Isaiahs Bio:

I am Isaiah Rogers, a dedicated track and field athlete specializing in the hammer throw, and I'm on a quest to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. I have spent my whole life in Smyrna, Georgia, progressing through King Springs, Griffin Middle, and Campbell High School.

My journey in track and field began at the age of seven, but it was in high school, starting in 2012, that I fully committed to the sport. During my high school years, I achieved remarkable success. I won a USA Track and Field National Title in the shot put, shattered a fifty-year-old state record in the same event, and in 2015, I proudly represented Team USA at the World Youth Games in Cali, Colombia, and the National Scholastic Invitational in Havana, Cuba.

My high school performances earned me the prestigious 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year award and recognition from the Georgia House of Representatives and State Senate with House Resolution 1394, presented by Representatives Evans, Golick, Wilkerson, and Smith, along with Senate Resolution 854, presented by Senator Tate of the 38th.

After graduating from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, I am now in my final semester at Kennesaw State University, working towards my Master's degree. Last year, I completed my final season with the Kennesaw State Owls, achieving a historic victory by securing KSU's first NCAA Division I National Title in the Weight Throw, the indoor counterpart of the hammer throw.

This achievement was particularly meaningful as it followed a challenging period where I overcame a season-ending pectoral injury that required surgery and a six-month recovery.

My performance last year was encouraging, but I am already surpassing those results in my current training, indicating a strong potential to qualify for the USA Olympic team. Last year, I ranked within the top eight hammer throwers in the USA, and with only three athletes making it to the Olympic venue, I am more determined than ever to secure my place on the team.

Navigating the path to the Olympics is a complex and demanding endeavor. It demands not only unwavering training and dedication but also a robust support system. Initially, I hoped to receive support through USA Track and Field's development program, which promised up to $6,000 in travel reimbursements. However, during the selection process, my name was unexpectedly passed over in favor of an older athlete, deemed to have a higher “potential upside.”

This unforeseen turn of events means that, up to this point, I have had to rely on self-funding. Balancing my training with part-time work, I strive to make ends meet each week. The financial demands are significant, encompassing specialized training equipment, coaching fees, travel expenses for competitions, nutritional needs, and medical support. Each of these elements is crucial in shaping an athlete's journey to Olympic success.

This is where I humbly ask for your support. Your contribution, no matter the size, can make a significant difference in my journey. It will help cover essential training expenses and allow me to focus entirely on honing my skills and achieving peak performance. To those who choose to support me, know that you are not just funding an athlete; you are fueling a dream and becoming a part of a journey that transcends the sport. Every bit of assistance brings me a step closer to representing our country on the world stage and to one day bringing back a medal that we can all be proud of.

With Sincere Gratitude,

Isaiah K. Rogers