Impact Of A Scholarship: Adam James

While wrestling wasn't always in the cards for Adam James, playing more instruments than sports growing up, everything clicked once he got out on the wrestling mat.

It took some time for James to finally make it out to the wrestling mat, picking up the sports year after coming into High School.

Growing up, he was all about football until one of his football coaches convinced him to give wrestling a shot. As a freshman, James finally got out on the mat where he would spend considerable time in his future.

Being tough, sharp, and hard-working in the gym translated quite well over to the mat from the football field. James didn't take long to get acquainted with his new sport, getting better and better every day.

Three years later, James dominated his weight class. He finished his senior year undefeated with a 39-0 record and a state championship.

James was a big high school recruit who had recently won an All-Star tournament championship and was named county MVP. He finished his high school career racking up an impressive 116 wins after picking up the sport just four years prior.

That was enough to catch Maryland's eye. Initially, James planned on going to either Howard or another wrestling school in Iowa. Still, he switched tracks fast when he got the call from the Terps.

"I knew that when Maryland said they wanted me to wrestle for them," said James, "I was like, that's where I wanted to go."

One of his main motivations throughout his wrestling career was making his mother proud. So when the going got tough, and wrestling almost knocked him down, he would think back to his mother bragging about her son, the Maryland wrestler, and dig a bit deeper.

"You do it for her because it brings her joy. If wrestling at a D1 school, the flagship school in Maryland, makes her happy it could be so much worse."

The other was being able to wrestle for the leading school in Maryland in front of the bright lights. Having the opportunity to do what he loved on TV and at the highest level was something he jumped on immediately.

Going to Maryland was a no-brainer for James; he was more than proud to wrestle under the Maryland banner.

James found plenty of success on the mat throughout his time in the red and gold. He ended all five years with a positive record and two ACC All-American awards.

He was a significant force on the Maryland wrestling team, remaining among the most consistent wrestlers throughout his five years. James made the 2004 ACC First-Team and had over 60 wins.

James always knew his opponent might have more experience than him. But he always remembered he had one advantage over his opponent, what he had in his heart.

"Being able to give more than the next man, it doesn't matter how much the next man has; l always give more," James said. "If it's close at the end, I'm going to win. Either I'm going to give that extra shot or finish that extra double. Whatever is needed."

He first took this mentality when he had to win his first wrestle-off for a spot on the high school team and brought it to Maryland. He might not be the most trained or skilled wrestler, but he always gave everything he had out on the mat when it counted most.

Although his focus was on wrestling throughout his time in Maryland, Adam took full advantage of all the University could offer.

He became a brother at the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity where he found a community he remains close with today. After James would finish an opponent at home, his brothers could be heard cheering him on as they consistently supported him.

James joked about being an "athletic student." Still, he made sure to take full advantage of the educational opportunities provided by the school. Especially the textbooks, as James was a kid in a candy store at McKeldin Library, checking out anything and everything that interested him.

"That (financial) freedom, it's precious, you know, it allows you to really focus on the things you're here for," said James.

Eventually, it allowed him to figure out what he wanted to do and is what led to what James still does today. Without the structure and guidance Maryland provided James, he wouldn't have been able to come out of it knowing what direction he wanted to go.

"Maryland put me into a position to want to be a physical therapist," said James. "If I hadn't gotten a scholarship to go to Maryland, I wouldn't have wrestled, and I wouldn't have joined the fraternity."

James wouldn't be in his position today as a physical therapist with his own practice without his time in Maryland. He understands the direction and help he received throughout his time were highly influential to him.

The very next day after his final wrestling match in 2006, a brother of the Omega Phi Psi fraternity offered him a job as a Physical Therapy Aide. After earning his Doctorate in Physical Therapy, James eventually started his own practice called Viva Therapy Solutions, which focuses on speech, physical, and occupational therapy.

James works with stroke victims and other neurological impaired patients, helping them maintain and restore function.

Similar to wrestling, being a physical therapist keeps James on his toes. What excites him the most is whenever a new patient comes to him with a unique issue to solve. He enjoys brainstorming and working hard to get every patient back to maximum function.

"Having the overall goal of getting them back to what they were doing before," said James.

Being an alumni wrestler and a physical therapist can coexist as he was able to offer one of his coaches help with his hips. After returning to a wrestling meet last year, James caught up with his old coach and realized he might be able to help him at his practice.

James now lives in Columbia with his wife and three kids. However, he often visits the Maryland campus to catch sporting events and see his old fraternity buddies.

During his time at Maryland, James had the opportunity and freedom to discover what he was meant to do. His athletic scholarship was a massive factor in his ability to figure out what he loved. To him, that was invaluable and still is to this day.

"(The) athletic scholarship really allows you to focus on the things that you're here for. So, thank you."