The sprint from UHCL student to Olympic pioneer
If you are not already a fan of the Winter Olympics and/or have never been drawn to the bobsleigh competition, here is a reason to watch it: UHCL alumna Moriam Seun Adigun is a part of the select few competing to win a medal.
Adigun has done what nobody else has attempted to do for the country of Nigeria. She created a bobsleigh team and qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics while simultaneously pursuing two degrees. This December 2017 she graduated from the UHCL with a master’s degree in Exercise Health and Sciences, and she also received her Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) from the Texas Chiropractic College (TCC) as a graduate of the institutions’ dual degree program.
Terry Dupler, associate professor of exercise and health sciences, taught Adigun and witnessed firsthand the strength and perseverance that it takes to accomplish these achievements.
“She was an outstanding student and accomplished her DC degree at TCC, our M.S. in Exercise and Health Sciences all while building the bobsleigh team for Nigeria,” Dupler said. “It is a great story, and we are very happy for her. She worked extremely hard for her degrees and her chance at the Olympics.”
William Amonette, associate professor of exercise health and sciences, also taught Adigun and said what makes her story remarkable is that she was able to learn a new sport, start a team for her country and qualify for the Olympics while completing two advanced degrees.
“Our students who are in the dual DC-MS program experience significant stress and substantial workloads; the fact that she was able to not only complete the degrees while qualifying for the Olympics but excel as a student shows you the type of sacrifice, determination and mental toughness Seun possesses,” Amonette said. “She is an amazing person and leader; I can not help but believe that these Olympic games are just the beginning of a much bigger impact she will have on this world.”
Adigun’s life began Jan. 3, 1987, in Chicago, Ill. She was born to Nigerian parents, Sikirat and Kola Adigun, and she is the niece of former UH All-American basketball star Hakeem Olajuwon. After high school, Adigun earned a scholarship to the UH for track and field. She graduated from UH with a degree in exercise and sciences with a concentration in health professions and a minor in psychology. From there, she pursued her master’s degree in exercise health and sciences at the UHCL.
“Seun is a powerful example of UHCL Alumni who are fearlessly changing the world,” said Rhonda Thompson, associate vice president of development and alumni relations. “The university and her fellow alumni are so proud to be part of her phenomenal story. Go Team Nigeria!”
Adigun’s all-women team is not only the first Nigerian bobsleigh team, but it is also the first African bobsleigh team in Winter Olympics’ history.
“Seun’s bobsleigh team calls themselves the ‘Ice Blazer,’ yet Adigun herself is a trailblazer for herself, her team and her countries (Africa and America),” said Dwayne Busby, executive director of development and alumni relations. “She is also a change maker for the youth here at UHCL and our surrounding community. You go Seun!!! Continue to make us, your family, and your countries proud as you fearlessly and courageously conquer all boundaries. Go for the Gold!”
Adigun put together her bobsleigh team by recruiting two of her friends and trained in a state that does not have snow for the Winter Olympics. Adigun had this to say about what lead her to pursue this journey.
“I am a real faith- driven person, and I just feel like God will show you your purpose,” said Adigun in a Dec. 6 press release published by the UHCL Office of Communications. “It is just a matter of whether you accept it.”
Adigun is competing in her first Winter Olympic games, but this is not the first time she has gone to the Olympics. She also competed in the 100m hurdles during the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
“It is an extraordinary accomplishment to make an Olympic team in one sport, but that she will have competed in both a summer and winter games is incredible,” Amonette said.
For more information on Adigun’s journey in the Olympics, tune into NBC on Feb. 20 8-12:30 a.m. and Feb. 21 8-11p.m. or log in to https://www.olympic.org.
