Jesse Beckom III

                              Home Town:      Chicago, Illinois

                  Current Residence:      Winston-Salem, North Carolina

                                            DOB:       October 26,1977

                                              Age:       32    

                                         Height:       6'0''  

                                        Weight:       220 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 Masters 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.  

 I returned to Iowa State to finish my Masters Degree at Iowa State in 2004 and went on to work as a City Planner for the City of Winston-Salem. I missed a potential spot on the 2006 Olympic Team due to lack of financial support and time allotment from my position. Fortunately, Home Depot's Olympic Job Opportunity Program (OJOP) is now allowing me to earn some money while I train and is flexible to my time needs. 

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 2008-2009 season and potentially the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.