Jamonte Hampton comes across as a humble teenager, but it’s his sophisticated focus and commitment that has gotten the Broad Ripple High School senior nominated for the Dedication Award for the St. Vincent Sports Performance Spirit of Sport Awards.
“When I learned I was nominated, I felt like all the hard work I had put forth had paid off. I never did it to get recognition, but that recognition is still humbling,” said Hampton.
Facing adversity and pushing through it – that’s what St.Vincent Sports Performance strives to recognize in its seventh annual Spirit of Sport Awards, which celebrates the unsung virtues of student-athletes, managers, athletic trainers, coaches, administrators and industry leaders off the field.
Pam Dorner-Saxhaug, an employee at Broad Ripple High School, thought Hampton was the perfect person for the Dedication Award and nominated him.
“Jamonte epitomizes character, maturity and the knowledge that serving others is of utmost importance. One would be hard pressed to find another young man who has embraced these concepts more deeply or more wholeheartedly. Jamonte is an honest, hard working, determined, charming and self-effacing young man who is easily liked by his peers and those he meets,” she said.
His hard work comes from being a triple threat.
At Broad Ripple High School, Hampton has excelled at football. He began playing football for the first time as a freshman and worked his way up to varsity. He’s also played three years on the basketball team and two years on the track and field team.
Academically, he’s a straight A student. School comes fairly easy to Hampton and he attributes that to a good foundation and excellent time management.
“I’ve learned how to learn a certain way so I can comprehend things the first or second time,” said Hampton. “I think the ability to teach myself and learn fast has helped me in school and sports.”
Hampton is expected to graduate with a 4.0 grade point average.
Hampton has even found time to hold down a 20 hour-a-week job at Arby’s.
“My family is proud of me, but I was always one of those people where you wouldn’t be surprised at all this,” he said.
After he graduates from Broad Ripple High School in a few weeks, he plans to attend Marian University and possibly study business management. He said he is looking forward to the flexible class schedule that college brings.
The Dedication Award shows that Hampton sets a great example for other student athletes. He prides himself on being smart with his time and hopes others learn from him.
“There are not too many athletes who are very, very good and very, very smart. I wanted to be both,” said Hampton. “Other student athletes should also just give it their all.”
Others nominated for the Dedication Award include: Stuart Schultz, Guerin Catholic High School; Sam Thornton, Bishop Chatard High School; and the Women’s Cross Country Team, Carmel High School.
Winners will be named at the event on June 11 at Clowes Memorial Hall.
Celebrity guests and presenters joining in the celebration include Ed Carpenter, 2013 Indy 500 pole winner; Dwayne Allen and Joe Reitz, Indianapolis Colts; Rosevelt Colvin, NFL alumnus; Kelly Krauskopf, Indiana Fever; Jared Fogle, Subway spokesman; and Vince Welch, ESPN.
Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever, will be presented with the Trinity Dove Award for her accomplishments both on and off the court.
For more information, call (317) 415-5747 or visit Stvincent.org/St-Vincent-Sports-Performance.
