University of Minnesota Athletics
True Devotion: Senior Wrestler Jacob Volkmann
12/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Volkmann was raised in a small farm town of 700 people. Henning, Minnesota is where he went to high school and graduated in a class of just 30 students. Volkmann is the baby of the family and grew up with his older brother and older sister on their family pig farm. Jacob considers his brother, Justin, to be his best friend. They are two years apart and did most of the farm work with their dad, which is where Volkmann learned the difference between doing a job to its fullest and giving up.
"My childhood is what taught me to work hard and be who I am now," Volkmann explained. "If I wasn't a hard worker then it wouldn't be me. My father's disciplinary action was beneficial for me."
The Volkmann family ran their pig farm until Jacob left for college. During high school, working on the farm took up most of his free time, just as wrestling does now. He put a hundred percent for his dad and he was taught never to give up. He fed pigs, moved pigs, picked up rocks for 12-hour days during the summer. These daily duties were something Jacob just did, he did not have to be convinced or pressured. He knew what he had to do and got it done. The dedication Jacob has to his work and what he sets his mind to is what has ultimately carried over to his career as a wrestler at Minnesota.
"Everybody tells me I have a great work ethic," Volkmann said. "I think I was taught to be a hard worker. My dad works non-stop and I am sure I picked that up from him."
Volkmann always wanted to come to the University of Minnesota. Ever since he came to watch the Gophers wrestle when he was in the seventh grade, he knew this is where he belonged.
He came in with the same attitude and motivation he had as a young boy. The devotion he had for the work he did on their family farm turned into his devotion to wrestling and getting an education.
"I hate to be lazy," Volkmann admitted. "I don't like sitting around doing nothing and that works one-on-one with wrestling. It takes endurance and staying focused to be a good wrestler. It is one of the most intense sports. You are only out there for ten minutes, but it takes a lot to get to that point."
Coming to college, Volkmann learned to balance school and wrestling. His commitment as a student-athlete just came naturally. Any free time that Volkmann has is spent on working out and on wrestling.
It is rare that his coaches need to get him going. Volkmann was raised motivated. When he was younger his ability to compete was tested by his brother, Justin. Jacob always tried to better Justin's accomplishments. Now, with his brother's support, Jacob goes out and tries to dominate every opponent he faces. Volkmann's All-American career as a Golden Gopher wrestler will come to an end after this season. After graduation, he is going to chiropractor school in Bloomington to take part in a four-year program. When he leaves here he will move on to a different part of his life, but also leave a major part behind - wrestling. He plans on walking away from the sport all together, but hopes to hold on to his dedication and commitment that he puts into wrestling.
"I believe everyone should stick with your goals, Volkmann explained. "I am a goal-oriented person who is committed at working hard and not giving up. I am looking forward to moving on from wrestling and starting a job. Hopefully I will be just as devoted in the future as I have been to my work on the family farm and to wrestling."
In the future, Volkmann hopes to have a family and teach his kids the importance of hard work just as his father has instilled in him.
"I am going to make sure that my children know that if you start something you must finish it," said Jacob. "That is what my dad taught me and I have kept that with me."
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Jessica Fleischmann. She welcomes comments at gophers@umn.edu.
To be a student-athlete takes a great deal of dedication and motivation. It is a full-time job that requires a lot of passion and inner strength to succeed, especially in the sport of wrestling. Jacob Volkmann is a fifth-year senior here at the University of Minnesota and is entering his final year as a wrestler. Volkmann is the true definition of an athlete with an amazing work ethic. His focus and his desire to be the best was taught to him at young age and now comes naturally.
Volkmann was raised in a small farm town of 700 people. Henning, Minnesota is where he went to high school and graduated in a class of just 30 students. Volkmann is the baby of the family and grew up with his older brother and older sister on their family pig farm. Jacob considers his brother, Justin, to be his best friend. They are two years apart and did most of the farm work with their dad, which is where Volkmann learned the difference between doing a job to its fullest and giving up.
"My childhood is what taught me to work hard and be who I am now," Volkmann explained. "If I wasn't a hard worker then it wouldn't be me. My father's disciplinary action was beneficial for me."
The Volkmann family ran their pig farm until Jacob left for college. During high school, working on the farm took up most of his free time, just as wrestling does now. He put a hundred percent for his dad and he was taught never to give up. He fed pigs, moved pigs, picked up rocks for 12-hour days during the summer. These daily duties were something Jacob just did, he did not have to be convinced or pressured. He knew what he had to do and got it done. The dedication Jacob has to his work and what he sets his mind to is what has ultimately carried over to his career as a wrestler at Minnesota.
"Everybody tells me I have a great work ethic," Volkmann said. "I think I was taught to be a hard worker. My dad works non-stop and I am sure I picked that up from him."
Volkmann always wanted to come to the University of Minnesota. Ever since he came to watch the Gophers wrestle when he was in the seventh grade, he knew this is where he belonged.
He came in with the same attitude and motivation he had as a young boy. The devotion he had for the work he did on their family farm turned into his devotion to wrestling and getting an education.
"I hate to be lazy," Volkmann admitted. "I don't like sitting around doing nothing and that works one-on-one with wrestling. It takes endurance and staying focused to be a good wrestler. It is one of the most intense sports. You are only out there for ten minutes, but it takes a lot to get to that point."
Coming to college, Volkmann learned to balance school and wrestling. His commitment as a student-athlete just came naturally. Any free time that Volkmann has is spent on working out and on wrestling.
It is rare that his coaches need to get him going. Volkmann was raised motivated. When he was younger his ability to compete was tested by his brother, Justin. Jacob always tried to better Justin's accomplishments. Now, with his brother's support, Jacob goes out and tries to dominate every opponent he faces. Volkmann's All-American career as a Golden Gopher wrestler will come to an end after this season. After graduation, he is going to chiropractor school in Bloomington to take part in a four-year program. When he leaves here he will move on to a different part of his life, but also leave a major part behind - wrestling. He plans on walking away from the sport all together, but hopes to hold on to his dedication and commitment that he puts into wrestling.
"I believe everyone should stick with your goals, Volkmann explained. "I am a goal-oriented person who is committed at working hard and not giving up. I am looking forward to moving on from wrestling and starting a job. Hopefully I will be just as devoted in the future as I have been to my work on the family farm and to wrestling."
In the future, Volkmann hopes to have a family and teach his kids the importance of hard work just as his father has instilled in him.
"I am going to make sure that my children know that if you start something you must finish it," said Jacob. "That is what my dad taught me and I have kept that with me."
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Jessica Fleischmann. She welcomes comments at gophers@umn.edu.
