Scholar Stories: Architecture Helping to Design Meyers' Path
11/14/2024 12:38:00 PM | Men's Cross Country
Continuing the series that began in 2016-17, each week MGoBlue.com will highlight a Michigan student-athlete and their academic pursuits. These are our Scholar-Athlete Stories, presented by Absopure.
By Margaret Meredith
Growing up in Kalamazoo, Mich., in a house designed by world-famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Jozef Meyers' path became clear. To him, there was an obvious next step; to build, to create, but most importantly to make an impact on people's lives.
Meyers played many sports growing up and continued into high school. He watched his father run 5Ks and learned to enjoy the atmosphere of the event. Despite participating in both track and cross country in high school, he never viewed himself as a runner. He did not even take the sport seriously until his junior year of high school. But when coach University of Michigan director of track and field and cross country Kevin Sullivan reached out to him following his junior state track meet, he began to consider his future.
"After the track state meet my junior year, I got some mail from Michigan track and field showing some interest in me," said Meyers. "That summer, I worked really hard and focused my time on running."
He began to find his natural talent for track and cross country and his joy in participating. When considering his next steps, academics were always Meyers' number one priority. Coach Sullivan's interest launched a new option for Meyers -- Michigan.
Being a part of The Kalamazoo Promise scholarship program, which helps fund college for students from Kalamazoo Public Schools, Meyers always knew Michigan was a possibility. Again, academics were at the forefront of his decision. Weighing the rich history of the Big Ten Conference, athletics in general, academic prestige and his connection to Coach Sullivan, Meyers made his decision and knew Michigan was the right place for him. Next came the task of balancing life as a student-athlete.
While focusing on his undergraduate degree, Meyers began to fall into his role as a member of the track and cross country team. He continued to develop, and found his strength in the steeplechase, which he described as the perfect balance of running and showcasing, and that the event came naturally to him.
But when asked about his favorite events, Meyers emphasized what running cross country has brought him. As a cross country athlete, Meyers enjoys the team aspect, with everyone training the same distances and sharing the same experiences.
"Cross country is my favorite season because of how methodical the training is for it," said Meyers. "With it being a longer distance, everyone has to be thrown in no matter what your discipline is in track. I like how with this the playing field is somewhat evened, and the fact that it's so team-focused."
After four years as an undergrad studying furniture design, Meyers felt there was a broader implication of what he was learning. He saw a way to create an entire space for people to live in and belong in. He began to consider his path after graduation and the possibilities of a master's degree in Architecture at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
When asked about making this decision, Meyers spoke of Coach Sullivan's continued influence on his life and their conversations on the possibility of remaining on the team, continuing his education and balancing them. Sullivan encouraged Meyers to continue his path, speaking of past athletes who had pursued the same degree. He assured Meyers that while it would not be easy, his goal was possible.
The balancing act was not an easy one. Meyers is rarely able to attend team practices and lifts, often occupied with classes and work.
"[Coach Sullivan] has let me run on my own, so most mornings I am doing my training alone or with a couple people who also have class conflicts," said Meyers.
Through this challenge, Meyers has only found more strength in his passion for running. For him, running and training are not a chore, but an outlet.
"It's been really hard because architecture is basically a full-time job," said Meyers. "But even if I wasn't running on the team anymore, I would probably be running this much anyway, so it doesn't feel like a burden at all."
Looking to the future, Meyers sees an even larger challenge. A time when the old friend of running will not always be with him. A place in the world without the cushion and prestige of the University of Michigan. He faces a new chapter with uncertain success.
Much like other athletes, Meyers is not content without growth. Even now, as a first-year grad student, Meyers is contemplating his life after he completes his degree and is even considering adding a second master's.
When asked about what he would like to do after graduating, Meyers spoke about his desire to work at an architectural firm but has not learned enough yet to know his ideal position or project. However, Meyers was sure of one thing, his passion for people and making a difference. With an interest in public spaces and university buildings, Meyers looks towards his career and sees himself "affecting the most amount people, brightening the most amount of people's lives."
As he explores summer internships in cities like New York and Chicago, Meyers is not only looking to understand where he wants to live and work.
"Architecture is a really cool field where you can really change people's daily lives without them even consciously recognizing it," said Meyers. "I think that's the main reason why I find it so interesting -- the fact that what I am designing can help someone live their life is the best feeling. Design has also been something I've been into for a really long time, and architecture was the next logical step."
Entering his years as a graduate student, Meyers has experienced Michigan. His path towards higher athletics and academics has not been an easy one, but through drive, determination and a lifelong interest, he has found himself a place among his peers. Finding a community that will be lifelong.
Next, he looks to do the same and build a place for others.
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