Indiana University Athletics
Gilmore Reflects on Hoosier Career
9/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 28, 2006
There are many goals and aspirations the Indiana football program hopes to obtain during the 2006 campaign. Senior wide receiver Jahkeen Gilmore echoes what the team and the coaching staff have been saying all year, "I want to play 13," Gilmore said. He is not worried about personal accolades or breaking records, he just wants to help lead his fellow Hoosiers to a bowl game.
Being a senior on a team full of young players, Gilmore takes pride in leading and helping develop the future of the Indiana wide receivers.
"Every receiver I work with now is very talented. As a whole, we have great speed in the wide receiver position," Gilmore said. "And as the year has moved along so far, the younger guys have matured and they come ready to play every day."
This season has given Gilmore a chance to look at what lies ahead of him personally for the rest of the year and to reflect on what his college career has meant to him. Since the hiring of Terry Hoeppner, he has enjoyed being a part of the spread offense attack.
"This offense is really fun and exciting to be a part of," Gilmore said. "We go out there, we work hard, and we try to make plays. And just being around a great group of guys and a great coaching staff really makes everything worth it."
Each weekend, the coaching staff selects a few members of the team to represent the entire squad as captains during each football game. With his hard work and leadership, Gilmore earned a spot as one of the game captains against Southern Illinois on Sept. 16. Being named a captain on college football Saturdays is an accomplishment that many student-athletes feel honored to be a part of. Gilmore is no different in taking that honor.
"I am very thankful that I was named captain for the game in front of the IU fans. It felt great to represent that team as a whole, especially during my senior season." Gilmore said.
Coming to Indiana out of high school was a tough decision for Gilmore, but he was not alone in his move from his home in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Bloomington. Senior wide receiver Lance Bennett and senior center Chris Mangiero also call Brooklyn their home. The journey to the Midwest was made much easier with the help of his high school football coach and mentor, Dino Mangiero. As Gilmore was graduating from Poly Prep, Mangiero was planning a move to be a part of the Indiana University football staff. Thinking he would be in Bloomington, Gilmore made his decision.
"It was just an option I was considering. After visiting and thinking about where I would fit in most, I really found a home here in Bloomington," Gilmore said.
Although a move from a large community like Brooklyn to a smaller community such as Bloomington can be a tough adjustment, Gilmore has really enjoyed what the community and the Indiana campus has to offer. "Bloomington is definitely different from the big city, but it's somewhere that you can focus on what is going on around you," Gilmore said. "It's a beautiful campus and I really enjoy being a part of it."
With all of the great things Gilmore has enjoyed in Bloomington, he realizes that his days as a member of the Indiana football team will come to an end. Although this can be a sad time, he appreciates the opportunity he has had at IU. "There are going to be a lot of things I am going to miss about this place. But with all the work I have put in with the coaches and players that have been here, it is something that I am very thankful for. I will never forget it." Gilmore said.
Beyond his playing career, Gilmore looks at the future with high hopes. During his years at Indiana, he has learned what it takes to become successful in life. He attributes much of his learning to his friends, instructors, teammates and coaches.
"I'm going to miss all of those who have been a part of my career here," Gilmore said. "I hope in the years to come I will be working, possibly as entrepreneur, and if I'm lucky playing football somewhere"
As Jahkeen Gilmore is thankful for his time at Indiana University and continues to move forward in hopes of success in his life beyond the football field, he and his teammates have one more goal they wish to achieve. To play 13.
