Coach "Frank" Anthony Ciccone Wrestling Scholarship

If there was ever a scholarship that I wanted to win, this is the one. It's not just about the money, it's about what this scholarship represents. It says I started from the bottom and climbed up. It depicts strength of character and displays perseverance against all odds. I've been in this game long enough to know not all wrestlers are built the same. Many are motivated, and few are driven. When you're the underdog, you've got nothing to lose but a whole lot to prove. This is my underdog story. Growing up, I was overweight and out of shape which made me an easy target for bullies. I have struggled with childhood obesity and depression since age 7. By age 8, I lost my father to suicide. We uprooted and relocated many times throughout the years due to financial hardships. This adversely affected childhood relationships and prevented me from having any kind of normal upbringing. Mom remarried a year later. Soon after, child protective services entered the picture and pull me and my siblings out of our home due to domestic violence. It was one of those situations where the kids get penalized for the parent's misguidance. From age 10 to 12, I was pulled left and right from one foster family to the next due to unavailable space. Eventually, I was settled into a group home for troubled youth in Thomasville, NC for the remainder of time until I could be reunited with my family permanently. By age 13, I entered High School. Up to this point, I had been turned away from playing sports because of my size. This was the same year I encountered George who was a senior bully. He would run up behind me to clinch a chokehold and wouldn't release me until I tapped out. After being attacked not once, not twice, but three times, I decided to fight back. My distressed appearance must have given it away. Once I returned from lunch break, my teacher Mr. Barnes covertly called the front office and sent me to meet with the Vice Principal. Choosing to keep my integrity intact, I confessed to the whole thing. It was my first school fight. I remember being fearful of being expelled or suspended; I would've been ineligible to play sports. Given the chance to have a clean slate, we agreed to shake hands and go our separate ways. Taking initiative, I moved inside during the lunch period. While sitting alone, members of the wrestling team joined me at the table. Not long after, I was recruited for the Varsity Heavyweight spot. The first season, my coaches questioned if I'd stick with it. I remember having these conversations and telling them I'm no quitter. Their response was, "Only time will tell." Getting through the first year was no small task but there was no way I was quitting. Nobody thought I would become one of the most successful wrestlers to exit Glenn High School. My success on the mat propelled me to the next level where I would become a 4-year starting Heavyweight for Campbellsville University where I earned a bachelor's degree as a first-generation college graduate. My passion for wrestling pushes me to continue pursuing excellence as a Professional Athlete and Coach. My setbacks have set me up to become a highly relatable Coach who has struggled so others don't have to. As I trek forward on this path, I'm still having to overcome financial hardships and adversity. With your financial support, I'm able to stay in the fight and will pay it forward by helping others.