Sept. 29, 2001

By Rob Coons
MU Media Relations Office

Jared Gilpin is a man on a mission.

A senior finance major, Gilpin finds himself in a comfortable position in life - he knows what he wants, and he knows how to get there.

"I'd like to get in with a big financial securities firm, and hopefully eventually become a mutual fund manager," he said.

To say the least, Gilpin has lofty goals for himself. But talking to the Jefferson City native, one gets the idea he is focused enough to reach anything he sets his sights on. It is unusual, though, that someone who is this focused found his future career almost by accident.

"I started watching the markets my freshman year in my dorm room, simply because I didn't have a lot to do," Gilpin laughed.

But as he started paying attention, Gilpin realized he had a lot in common with the financial world.

"It just seemed like a big game to me," he admitted. "A very high-risk game, a pretty intense game, but that just seemed to play right into my hands. Pressure, stress, those things don't bother me. I thrive in those situations."

Not cracking under pressure is what has helped Gilpin become a familiar name for Missouri fans. As a punter, he has found himself right in the thick of intense situations, with lots of pressure. One mistake, and he could cost the team crucial points. But Gilpin does not think about the pressure he faces.

"Being a punter is 90 percent mental. It's all about poise and confidence," he said. "You can throw athleticism out the window, especially in a game. You have to be mentally tough. You have to know that you're good, and that you can do your job when you're called on."

Gilpin learned his lessons in self-confidence from a very influential source and one of his biggest fans, his father, Lenny.

"I owe a lot of that to my father," Gilpin said. "He always taught me that the best players always play best in the toughest situations."

This season, Gilpin has been forced to find additional confidence in his own abilities, as he has had to adapt to a new role on the Tiger squad. Redshirt freshman Brock Harvey won the starting punter job in practice, and Gilpin has found himself cheering the team.

"The hardest part was the first game, where I didn't feel that I was out there contributing to the team," he said. "But I've been a part of some pretty big games, and I just look back on that and am proud of what I have done."

Gilpin knows that confidence alone can't get him where he wants to go in life. During his time at Missouri, his diligent work in the classroom has earned him several accolades, including an Academic All-Big 12 honorable mention selection in 2000.

"Your studies are the most important thing. It's why you're in college," Gilpin said. "I feel that if I'm not doing well in the classroom, then I have no business being on the field. And I want to be on the field, so that has always motivated me to do well in the classroom."

Gilpin's focus on what he wants to accomplish - both on and off the gridiron - leaves little doubt that he will find himself exactly where he wants to be down the road.

And, his teammates say, he has nailed down one additional requirement for a career in the financial world. Placekicker Brad Hammerich says Gilpin, without a doubt, is the best dressed Missouri Tiger. So what's his secret?

"I think it's probably my natural good looks," Gilpin said, breaking into a big laugh. "Maybe I just make everything that I wear look good."