STEENS — Commitment is important to Aaron Meek.
Whether it is swimming, soccer, basketball, or academics, Meek has found a way to juggle his extra-curricular activities and still excel in the classroom.
After getting a score of 30 on the ACT, a college admissions test that measures a student’s aptitude, Meek realized he would be able to attend just about any school he wanted.
But Meek didn’t want his athletic career to be over, especially after being a member of the Columbus Christian Academy boys basketball team that won a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AA State title last month. Meek also has played soccer for years, including the past two years with Columbus Christian’s new boys soccer team.
Meek’s academic success will help him extend his athletic career. On Tuesday, Meek finalized the details for an athletic scholarship and an agreement with Northwest Mississippi Community College men’s soccer coach Charlie Baldwin that he will have a spot on the team in the fall.
“I went for a visit right before Christmas break and I fell in love with the campus and coach,” Meek said. “Everything just seemed to be perfect.”
Meek said his scholarship is a better deal for him and for Baldwin because his academic scholarship takes care of all of the costs for college. The academic scholarship enables Baldwin to keep a scholarship to give to another player.
Meek first visited Northwest Mississippi C.C. in Senatobia with Heritage Academy senior Michael Ledbetter. He said the two have known each other for years and had a good feeling about the possibility they would get a chance to play soccer there. After thinking about it for three days, they both called Baldwin to tell him they would like to attend the school.
On Tuesday, Meek took an official visit to the campus again to make sure everything was in place for the fall.
“I love my sports, and I am not ready to give them up yet,” Meek said. “Going to a community college is a way I will be able to play as a freshmen instead of sitting a few years and then getting some playing time.”
Meek realizes he will have to work just as hard on the soccer field as he will in the classroom to earn playing time. He is excited about the challenge to test himself at the next level.
Columbus Christian boys basketball coach Greg Watkins had Meek as a member of the program for four years. He watched him balance the demands of soccer, basketball, and academics the past couple of years and stack on course in all three. He said Meek is a driven young man who has the potential to accomplish a lot in college.
“He is real good in the classroom,” Watkins said. “He is not just a dual-athlete, but a dual-athlete with the sports going on at the same time. He also was able to keep up with his studies. He was going almost five days a week playing basketball or soccer, or practicing basketball or soccer.
“He is a real bright young man. I see him with a real bright future because of his work ethic in and out of the classroom.”
Meek said his brother, Joel, set a great example for him, especially in the classroom. Both of the Meeks scored 30s on their ACTs. Joel Meek went to Mississippi College in Clinton to play soccer. At the time, he was studying pre med, but Aaron said his brother no longer is playing soccer and is studying business and is a member of the ROTC.
Aaron, who is a veteran of Swim Columbus under coach Chris Chain, said he plans to study political science, to own a law firm, and to run for president in 2036. That dedication and vision have helped Meek get an athletic opportunity he plans to capitalize on.
“It is special,” Meek said. “I am definitely proud I am going to be a college athlete next year. I think it is going to be a good experience.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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