Justin Michael Freemyer has always dreamed big and has never taken no for an answer. A reverse transfer student, Justin will be graduating with his associate’s degree in public relations at MCC after completing his bachelor’s from ASU six years earlier.
Raised in Chandler, Freemyer grew up with a blue-collar work ethic and midwestern values. At two, he was reading newspapers and singing from a microphone. At six , he aspired to work in the professional wrestling business and loved writing and promotion.
“I was blessed at an early age to know what I wanted to do in life,” Freemyer said. “How to get there was the question.”
Education was stressed at an early age by his grandmother, who graduated from MCC with an associate degree in business management a few years ago at the age of 72.
Freemyer’s work ethic and leadership skills grew and matured through junior high and high school. He was of one of the captains of the wrestling team at Willis Jr. High and was also selected to participate in the Motorola Youth Leadership Program in eighth grade.
“I always knew doing more would get me to better places in life,” Freemyer said. He lives by a quote from World Wrestling Entertainment announcer Jim Ross, “Work will get it done when wishing won’t.”
In high school, Freemyer started his writing journey by contributing to Hamilton High’s school newspaper. In his junior year, Freemyer and his family moved to Gilbert and he attended the brand-new Higley High School, where he served as the first sports editor of The Roundtable, as well as being a part of the first wrestling team. He also served on the yearbook and an was officer for Fellowship of Christian Athletes club. After high school graduation, Freemyer went right into school at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. He took two years worth of classes before dropping out just a few credits shy of getting an associate’s degree to pursue a dream of becoming a pro wrestler.
In 2008, almost 3 years after leaving school, Freemyer was accepted into Arizona’s State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where he pursued a career in sports broadcasting.
“I wasn’t accepted at first, but by chance the GPA requirement was lowered and I got in,” Freemyer said. “I had my struggles academically and personally, but I persevered through it.”
Looking back, Freemyer said he felt he missed out on a lot of opportunities and didn’t make the most of his time at ASU.
“If I can stress anything, it would be to get involved inside and outside of the school and be a leader in a club,” Freemyer said. “It will benefit you in the long run.”
That was advice Freemyer wouldn’t heed to till his time at MCC.
In the winter of 2011, Freemyer was the first in his family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Upon graduation, he struggled to find a job that fit his degree. For five years, he was in and out of different jobs and working in the independent wrestling circuit. He even considered changing professions and looked into teaching. But in short, Freemyer always came back to wanting to work in the world of journalism and sports entertainment. No matter how many times he fell, he always got up.
“I’ve had a renaissance of sorts,” Justin said. ”
After stints at the film school at Scottsdale Community College and a bad move to Tucson, Freemyer moved back to Mesa and attended MCC in the Spring of 2016. He decided to stay in the journalism field and pursue his associate degree in public relations. From there, Freemyer started writing and contributing articles to the Mesa Legend. He also got involved with the Inter-Tribal Student Organization, assisting with Westwood High School’s mentorship program.
“I really underestimated the value of a community college ,” Freemyer said. “At MCC, I have been able to build my confidence back and make myself more employable.”
Upon graduation, Freemyer plans to leave Arizona to pursue a career in the sports entertainment world, hopefully working for a National Football League team or World Wrestling Entertainment.
“You’re never too old to go back to school and reinvent yourself,” Freemyer said. “Reach for the stars, not the ceiling.”
As Freemyer looks toward his next journey in life, he’s ready to take the first step into a rewarding and fulfilling career.