We are Purpose Driven

OWA Alum Michael Jaggers Jr. Shares Journey of Perseverance

 

Alumni Spotlight: How Oklahoma Wildcats Academy shaped one athlete's path to becoming an educator and mentor*

 

Finding Direction Through Adversity

 

When Michael Jaggers Jr. arrived at what is now known as the Oklahoma Wildcats Academy (OWA), he was at a crossroads. Having lost his mother during his senior year of high school, Jaggers described himself as "directionless" before finding his way to the post-graduate program.

 

"I'm coming off of maybe one of the harshest parts of my life, not knowing what's going to happen," Jaggers reflected during a recent alumni interview. A former JV player from Palatine, Illinois who had limited Friday night lights experience, Jaggers was drawn to OWA after attending several combines and visiting other post-graduate programs.

 

Life Lessons Beyond the Field

 

Now pursuing a history degree at Harper Community College with plans to become a high school teacher, Jaggers credits OWA with teaching him vital life lessons that continue to shape his path.

 

"One, nothing's going to be given to you. That's just a fact of life," Jaggers explained. "If you really want something, you've got to get it. If you want to be great, you've got to wake up at 4:00 in the morning if need be, go on that mile run, do a full body workout, come back, be ready, go to class."

 

Jaggers emphasized that OWA taught him the importance of collective success over individual achievement. "How are we going to go ahead and not make it about me, but make it about everyone else? Are we going to move collectively as a team with the mentality of not just me, but as a we?"

 

From Player to Coach

 

After OWA, Jaggers worked briefly at Home Depot before receiving an offer to play at Arkansas Baptist College. Though he eventually determined football wasn't in his long-term plans, the experience reinforced a crucial lesson: "Being a student first is more important than being an athlete. If you don't get your grades up, no school's going to want you."

 

Jaggers' career path took a meaningful turn when his former high school coach offered him a position on the coaching staff. "I realized how much I actually like being around high schoolers," Jaggers said. "I've been called Coach Jags... and I was like, man, I could kind of get used to this."

 

The experience rekindled his passion for mentorship, with Jaggers noting that he wants "to help mold the minds of young men and women regardless of where their journey goes."

 

Advice for Prospective OWA Students

 

For high school seniors considering OWA, Jaggers offers straightforward advice: "Know how hard you're actually able to work." He encourages prospective students to consider financial aspects and eligibility factors carefully.

 

Drawing from his OWA experience, Jaggers now advises current high school athletes about recruiting, including some who have gone on to major college programs. His final piece of advice emphasizes health and safety: "If you have any medical history, be sure to tell coaches. That might be my biggest thing."

 

As Jaggers continues his journey toward becoming a history teacher and coach, he remains connected to the lessons learned at OWA—perseverance, teamwork, and the importance of education—proving that sometimes the path to finding your purpose requires taking the road less traveled.