Horned Frogs First Person: Andrew Coker
7/26/2023 9:19:00 AM | Football
TCU graduate and offensive lineman taking lessons from his dad to impact others
(as told to Lily Margarent Greenway)
I found my identity at TCU. When you first get to college, you're young, and scared, and don't know what to expect. Even though TCU offered me a scholarship very early in my recruiting process, and I knew they wanted me, I had a lot of doubt throughout my freshman fall camp. That doubt quickly went away when Lucas Niang, an older player and future mentor of mine, pulled me aside and gave me an a-ha moment during one of our first games. He told me, "You are meant to be here. You have all the talent in the world. Believe in yourself."
Over the years, I have taken strides in my personal development as both an athlete and a person. I don't think my growth has as much to do with my ability on and off the field as it does my attitude and work ethic. I have a "never give up" mentality, and I work to lead by example and gain respect by practicing what I preach. I think there are few people at TCU who care about this university as much as I do. I am very grateful to wear the purple and black. I have an intrinsic motivation to be good and to succeed, but I also want to provide for those who rely on me, make my family proud, and bring our name a positive image.
My father was born and raised in Nigeria, and came to the United States to study at the University of Houston. He instilled his discipline and work ethic into all of his children. The lessons I have learned from him have made me who I am. I grew up very religious, but my parents never forced it upon us. I made my own decision to be baptized early, and recognize that my relationship with the Lord is most important in the overall grand scheme of life. Sometimes, I can lose track of that when I am moving 100 miles-an-hour, but it always brings me back down to earth.
I am a people person. Knowing, loving and learning about others is part of my nature. Some of my happiest memories are just sitting at a restaurant and talking with my family for hours. Growing up, I realized that there are restaurants where people just go to eat, and others that welcome you to hang out for four or five hours. I am a big food guy, and I have always loved the atmosphere of a restaurant where people can just be together. One day, I want to be a catalyst for that kind of environment. My first goal is to play in the NFL, but after that, I would love to open up my own restaurant.
I have always been inspired to change others' lives for the better. It was not until I came to TCU that I saw the greater impact of philanthropy. On a college campus, you really only see one demographic – college students. But helping people who have less really widens your eyes and puts things into perspective. My first year here, our team did a service project where we painted a house. That small deed was easy for us, because we're young and able-bodied, but it had the power to make a change for the better in someone else's life. Going out into the real world gives you the power to know people, see people, and meet them where they are at so you can help take them where they want to go.
I found my identity at TCU. When you first get to college, you're young, and scared, and don't know what to expect. Even though TCU offered me a scholarship very early in my recruiting process, and I knew they wanted me, I had a lot of doubt throughout my freshman fall camp. That doubt quickly went away when Lucas Niang, an older player and future mentor of mine, pulled me aside and gave me an a-ha moment during one of our first games. He told me, "You are meant to be here. You have all the talent in the world. Believe in yourself."
Over the years, I have taken strides in my personal development as both an athlete and a person. I don't think my growth has as much to do with my ability on and off the field as it does my attitude and work ethic. I have a "never give up" mentality, and I work to lead by example and gain respect by practicing what I preach. I think there are few people at TCU who care about this university as much as I do. I am very grateful to wear the purple and black. I have an intrinsic motivation to be good and to succeed, but I also want to provide for those who rely on me, make my family proud, and bring our name a positive image.
My father was born and raised in Nigeria, and came to the United States to study at the University of Houston. He instilled his discipline and work ethic into all of his children. The lessons I have learned from him have made me who I am. I grew up very religious, but my parents never forced it upon us. I made my own decision to be baptized early, and recognize that my relationship with the Lord is most important in the overall grand scheme of life. Sometimes, I can lose track of that when I am moving 100 miles-an-hour, but it always brings me back down to earth.
I am a people person. Knowing, loving and learning about others is part of my nature. Some of my happiest memories are just sitting at a restaurant and talking with my family for hours. Growing up, I realized that there are restaurants where people just go to eat, and others that welcome you to hang out for four or five hours. I am a big food guy, and I have always loved the atmosphere of a restaurant where people can just be together. One day, I want to be a catalyst for that kind of environment. My first goal is to play in the NFL, but after that, I would love to open up my own restaurant.
I have always been inspired to change others' lives for the better. It was not until I came to TCU that I saw the greater impact of philanthropy. On a college campus, you really only see one demographic – college students. But helping people who have less really widens your eyes and puts things into perspective. My first year here, our team did a service project where we painted a house. That small deed was easy for us, because we're young and able-bodied, but it had the power to make a change for the better in someone else's life. Going out into the real world gives you the power to know people, see people, and meet them where they are at so you can help take them where they want to go.
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