Name: Jeremiah Sullivan
College: Fordham University
Sponsoring Lodge: Attleboro, Mass., Lodge No. 1014
National Finals: 2008, 8-9 boys; 2009, 10-11 Boys
National Finals Score: National Champion, 23/25 (7/10); 9th place, 19/25
Early in his Hoop Shoot career, Jeremiah Sullivan learned that the only way to improve is to work hard—one free throw at a time. As Jeremiah jumped into the deep end of the Hoop Shoot competition, the lessons kept coming. Jeremiah learned it was going to take practice, time and a lot of patience. Although it was frustrating at times, especially when he missed a basket, he had to remind himself the first lesson of the Hoop Shoot.
“When I first started practicing, I would stay angry with myself when I missed a free throw,” Jeremiah says. “It would affect my performance on the free throws that followed the one I missed, so I learned to not think of the previous shot—whether it was a make or miss.”
After six Hoop Shoots, perseverance, patience and belief in the process were engrained in Jeremiah. He used those lessons to overcome his biggest life battle yet when he had a spinal fusion to correct his scoliosis. Just like he did while practicing for the Hoop Shoot, Jeremiah took recovery one day at a time.
The final lesson Jeremiah learned was the importance of volunteering and giving back to the community, which was largely influenced by the Hoop Shoot family that surrounded him for six years.
“I learned that volunteering is one of the best ways to have a positive impact on someone’s life,” Jeremiah says.
Today, Jeremiah volunteers at a clothing shelter as well as with the Special Olympics. He enjoys being a mentor to young kids and influencing their lives the way Elks impacted his throughout the Hoop Shoot.
If Jeremiah could share one piece of advice with this year’s National Finalists, aside from taking it one shot at a time, it would be to remember how far they’ve come.
“No matter if you have had a great day or an off day shooting the ball, you are still the most talented free throw shooters in the country,” Jeremiah says. “Your hard work, dedication and practice leading up to this moment is something you should be extremely proud of.”