University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooner Profile: Jarod Freeman

May 12, 2008 | Baseball

 
 Jarod Freeman | Sr. | Baseball | 6-3 | 220
Jarod Freeman
 Birthdate: January 15, 1986
 Parents: Tom and Robin Freeman
 Hometown: Oklahoma City, Okla.
 High School: Westmoore
 Major: Communications
 
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NORMAN, Okla. -- Jarod Freeman is the model student-athlete. An positive ambassador of the program both on and off the field, he combines being an excellent baseball player with being an outstanding student and is extremely active in the community.
 
He is regarded so highly that OU's coaches have said they would like to have 32 guys just like him. No disrespect to the other members of the team, it's just that Freeman's influence is so positive.
 
One of the community service initiatives Freeman has been involved with during his time at OU is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Each week, he takes time out of his schedule to visit a group of kids at Whittier Middle School in Norman and says he has learned as much from them over the last three years as they have learned from him.
 
You see, Freeman understands the big picture. Giving back is his way of showing how much he appreciates the opportunities he's been given.
 
And while he does none of it for personal gain, Freeman's work in the community has not gone unrecognized. He is a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, which recognizes senior student-athletes based on the following criteria: classroom, community, character and competition. He was also recently named to the Big 12 Spring Good Works Team for significant community service and good academic standing.
 
Jarod Freeman truly is the model student-athlete.
 
 
On being an Oklahoma kid and having the opportunity to play for the Sooners:
"It's been amazing. I grew up Sooner born and Sooner bred and it's always been a dream to play at OU. The last four years I've gotten to live that dream, and it's just been an amazing trip."
 
On some of the community service initiatives he's been a part of:
"I've gotten to work a lot with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes here at the University. It's just in my heart to be around those kids. It's not about me, it's about what I can do for the community. I've been given an opportunity to be here and it's the least I can is go out and share a little bit and influence those kids in a positive manner."
 
On how much joy he gets out of spending time with those kids:
"It's so much fun to see those guys every week and just see them grow up. I've gotten to see those kids grow just as much as I've grown in the last three years. Just getting to watch that and be a part of that is an amazing experience."
 
On the relationships he's developed along the way:
"Definitely, especially the FCA group I work with at Whittier Middle School. I go see those guys every Wednesday morning and they've all been with me for a few years and now are moving on to high school. I've gotten to grow with those kids."
 
On how giving back has always been a part of who he is:
"It's just about being a part of something bigger than myself. I just try to go out and influence people the best way I can. That's what my parents have taught me and that's the best I can do as a Sooner."
 
On how he has tried to instill that attitude within the rest of the guys on the team:
"It's a privilege for us to baseball and the only way we're going to be known is to get out in our own community and get to know those people. As a baseball team, we're given this opportunity and that's the best we can do is just make the most of it."
 
On his plans for the future:
"I'm not really sure. A couple of different job opportunities are on the table for me. If professional baseball calls, I definitely can't turn that away, but that would be a dream come true as well. Right now I'm just taking it one day at a time and trying to finish the season strong."
 
On continuing to be involved in the community in the future:
"Whenever I'm done playing, that's one thing that's always going to be a part of me. You just have to take advantage any opportunity you get."
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