From the moment I stepped onto Penn State’s campus, something just felt right. I was 15 years old when I first visited with my dad, and even on that first trip, it already felt like more than just another school I was looking at. There was an energy to the place that was hard to explain, but I could feel it right away. About a month later, I came back with my whole family, and that second visit only reinforced what I already knew in my gut. Penn State felt like home.

What stood out to me most was the culture. It wasn’t just the hockey program, although that was obviously a huge part of it. It was everything surrounding it — the people, the campus, the atmosphere downtown, and the passion the entire student body had for Penn State athletics. There was a pride in being part of something bigger than yourself, and that really stuck with me. By the end of that process, the decision felt natural. I committed to Penn State on a full scholarship on my 16th birthday, and it was one of the easiest and best decisions I’ve ever made. I knew it was the place where I wanted to grow, compete, and spend the next chapter of my life.

Penn State shaped me into far more than just a hockey player. It helped mold me into the athlete, coach, and mentor I am today. Being part of that program taught me what real culture looks like — a group built on trust, accountability, work ethic, and a genuine commitment to one another. It showed me the power of family within a team environment, where everyone is pushing toward the same goal while also supporting each other through adversity. That experience is a huge part of what I want to bring to Just Develop Sports Group. I want to build more than a training brand — I want to build a culture and a family where athletes feel supported, challenged, believed in, and inspired to become the best version of themselves both on and off the field.