Hopeful to become a Hoosier

Cinderella stories are great. The stories of Rudy, the Hickory Huskies and the 1980 USA hockey team give every "ordinary Joe" a chance to believe. They prove the theory that anything is possible.\nCinderella stories can even happen at IU. Whether it was the 1968 Rose Bowl team or even the recent 2000 Final Four team, miracles can happen.\nUnfortunately, not all Cinderella stories have a happy ending. \nIU sophomore Markeith Young can relate.\nYoung was the starting tailback for his Kokomo High School football team. Even though mono cut short his senior season, he was still able to rack up nearly 500 yards. He attended all the games to give his team moral support.\n"Markeith worked hard. He wasn't blessed with a lot of athletic talent but he made up for it with hard work," ex-Hoosier running back Jason Spear said. Spear, who played all four years at IU (1996-1999), was Young's running back coach at Kokomo.\nCoaches weren't the only ones that noticed the determination on Young's face. Even his teammates understood the work ethic Young put in day in and day out.\n"Even in practice, he went extra, extra hard when others slacked. He loves football so much that he will play his heart out for it," sophomore Major Ramsey said. Ramsey, who will dress for the Hoosiers this season, played with Young for four seasons in high school.\nBut fresh out of high school, Young had a major decision facing him. With a scholarship offer from Indiana State and limited interest from IU, Young had to decide whether to take the offer from the Sycamores or try to walk-on at a prestigious Division I school.\nYoung chose the Hoosiers.\nIn the spring of his freshman year, Young tried out for the team. His dreams were cut short when he received an e-mail notifying him of his "release." But Markeith never missed a beat, despite the early obstacle.\n"My brother always had his saying that 'everyday is a new beginning.' I just had to stay optimistic," Young said.\nSo with his brother in mind, Young tried out again in the fall of his sophomore year. With more confidence, he actually switched positions from tailback to safety, a position the Hoosiers desperately needed.\nHowever, after a week of grueling workouts, Young heard the bad news once again, this time through a telephone call. He had been cut again.\n"Man, when I found out I didn't make it, a lot of thoughts were going through my head. The most prominent was that I didn't know why," Young said. "Then the anger part and the sad part set in. There is a void in my heart from not being able to play the game that I love."\nYoung, for the second consecutive year, walked away from Memorial Stadium empty-handed. Only thoughts of "what-if" filled his head as he made his long trek back to Teter Quad.\nThe athlete that was once so full of life and hopefulness now has a slight drag to him. The bright smiles are less frequent; his shoulders slouch like a hunchback.\n"I didn't think he had (the talent), but I didn't want to discourage him. He wanted to try it, and I wanted him to give it a shot," ex-Kokomo coach Willard Rice said. "He has internal optimism, and he doesn't want to hear no. He has given everything he has."\nThe drive that made Young such a successful running back in high school is still there. His mind is intact and his eyes are still focused on the prize. Despite pondering a transfer at semester's end, Young still dreams of suiting up for the cream and crimson.\n"My brother went here and he talked to a couple of coaches. I figured if I came here and tried out, it would be worth it. But I just want to play here," Young said.\nBut Young is not alone. Athletes from all over the country are hit at the knees this time of the year, watching their childhood dreams slip away. They question everything about their performance, trying to draw pity from anyone who will listen. But unlike many athletes, Young is too stubborn to crash and burn. He wants it.\n"I have always said if you truly want to do something, then do it," Young said. "Just believe in your abilities. But most of all, believe in yourself"