Jesse Beckom III

                              Home Town:      Chicago, Illinois

                  Current Residence:      Colorado Springs, Colorado                                             DOB:       October 26,1977

                                              Age:       34    

                                         Height:       6'0''  

                                        Weight:       217 lbs

                                   Education:       Iowa State University  (Ames, Iowa)

                                      M.S of Community and Regional Planning

                                                                    B.S of Community and Regional Planning

                            MY STORY

 

 

 
 
 

Growing up on the south side of Chicago, I was a child with many dreams. I had hopes of playing in the NFL and becoming a famous actor. Yet little did I ever dream I would have the opportunity of becoming an Olympian.

I have many blessings in my life including a strong and loving family. My father, Jesse Beckom Jr., is a 29-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department. My mother, Addie Beckom is an RN who chose to stay at home to raise my four older sisters and me.

Upon graduating Corliss High School, I began a search for the right college that would offer both an architectural degree and an opportunity to play football. Researching colleges led me first to Trinity College where I was offered a football scholarship, then on to Iowa State University whose award winning design school and Division One football better fit my ambitions. I approached the Iowa State University walk-on football coach with a highlight film of my Trinity College games in hopes of securing an invitation to ISU's football camp. I was not invited but instead faced the nearly impossible task of being noticed as a walk on. I quickly captured the attention of the Iowa State coach's and was honored as the Scout Team Player of the Year in 1997. The subsequent years were filled with many
personal victories:

            1998    Big XII Defensive Newcomer of the Year

            1999    Named a Co-Captain of the ISU team

            2000    B.S.  Community and Regional Planning (CRP)

            2004    M.S. Community and Regional Planning (CRP)

Through all of the hard work and victories, I held on to my belief that through God, perseverance and dedication,     

                                                 anything is possible. 

In the fall of 2000, while pursuing my Master's Degree at ISU Charlie Partridge, my former football coach gave me a call. Coach Partridge had just had a chance encounter with a USA Bobsled pilot named Travis Bell. Travis was making inquiries about any former football players that might be interested in trying out Bobsledding. Coach Partridge gave Travis my contact information and Travis extended an invitation to me for a Bobsled try-out camp. My performance at the Lake Placid, NY camp resulted in an invitation to become a member of the USA Bobsled Team. I put my degree on hold as I traveled throughout the world representing the United States, medaling in the America Cup races and the Junior World Championships.

In 2004 I went back to Iowa State to finish my Master's Degree in Community and Regional Planning. Upon completion of my Master's degree I competed during the 2004-2005 bobsled season, but unfortunately financial distress inhibited me from competing the following season. In 2005 in need of finances to return to bobsledding I went on to work as a City Planner for the City of Winston-Salem eliminating my chances of a potential spot on the 2006 Olympic Team. Due to my ranking at my leave of absence from bobsled I was fortunate to be admitted into the, Home Depot's Olympic Job Opportunity Program (OJOP). Working for the City of Winston-Salem and Home Depot provided me the finances I needed to return to the sport of Bobsled for the 2006-2007 season.


During the 2006-2007 season I was able to return to the Ice racing as USA 1 alongside Driver Steve Holcomb and our team mates helping him to a number 4 World Ranking, where he would later finish number 1 in the World overall. The next couple of seasons I and the teams I raced on continued to improve and in the 2009-2010 season I racing with Driver John Napier and our team mates finished 11th at World Championships. Unbeknown to me the 2009-2010 season would be my most trying season ever, because for the first time in my athletic career I would suffer from serious injuries. I was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome in both lower legs which required corrective surgery and about eight months to fully heal. Then before National Team Trials I pulled my right groin and abductor preventing me from performing up to my normal standards and effectively contending for a spot on the 2010 Olympic Team.


This off-season I spent the summer in Colorado Springs training harder than ever, pushing my limits becoming stronger and faster than before. My perseverance lead to me once again becoming one of the Top 5 Push Athlete's in the country. I am ready to take on this season and start my push towards Sochi and the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

I am proud to be an Olympic Hopeful, and even prouder to have a chance to represent my family and the entire nation in the upcoming 2011-2012 season and eventually the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.