Raeghan Miller



Projects by Raeghan Miller

Journalism Story

Injury, Perspective, and Gratitude: IU Athletes Reflect on Their Seasons

By Raeghan Miller, Jenna Nolot, and Hayden Pope

BLOOMINGTON, IN. (April 3, 2025)

For most athletes, a college career ends with the final whistle of a season-ending game. For Indiana University basketball player Jackson Creel, however, that ending came earlier than expected. A tough injury forced him to step away from the game, which not only altered his season, but also his perspective on basketball and life. 

Jackson suffered a foot injury while returning from Christmas break. Initially, the setback had a negative impact on the rest of his season. He was faced with a tough reality that he didn’t expect. He underwent surgery about a week and a half later, holding onto hopes that the healing process would speed up in time for him to return to the court. However, as time passed and the season came to an end, he realized he wasn’t going to get the ending he had imagined.

Jackson Creel, a senior guard at IU, spent his final season recovering from injury. His smile shows the strength and gratitude he carries as he moves forward after basketball.

“It took me a lot of time to readjust,” Jackson said. “It was sad that I had to end my college career without being on the court. The season came to an end, and I still wasn’t able to return. But I’m grateful for the experience.” 

When Jackson was first injured, he didn’t think there was much he could do for his team. But over time, his perspective shifted. He realized he could still contribute in meaningful ways without stepping foot onto the court. 

“I could bring a lot of energy to practice and drills, be a cheerleader for my teammates, just giving them confidence and enthusiasm,” Jackson said. Even though this didn’t affect his performance, he was able to help his teammates. 

This shift in mindset allowed Jackson to be thankful for his season, even though it looked nothing like what he had expected. He appreciated that he had the opportunity to positively impact his team. 

Meanwhile, Jordan Rayford, a point guard for Indiana University, was suffering from his own struggles after tearing a ligament in his foot. This injury placed him on the sideline for nine months. During this time, he realized how much he missed playing with his team. He admitted that when you’re healthy, it’s easy to take some moments for granted. 

“I became more grateful for things I used to look past, like waking up early for practice,” Jordan said. “It changed how I viewed performance as well. Before I thought about it in terms of how many shots I was making, dunks, and layups. Now, I see it as more than that. It’s how I maintain my health off the court. Getting into the ice tank after practice, working with the trainer, those things became more important to me. 

Jordan Rayford, a guard at Indiana University, missed the season due to injury. His quiet moment on the court reflects a year of growth, focus, and resilience.

Jordan spent nine months watching his teammates put in the work, giving him a new perspective as a player. Instead of focusing on what he couldn’t do, he used this time to his advantage, watching and improving his skills for his future on the court. “You actually get to watch practice and see where people are making mistakes,” he said. “When you come back, you can fill those voids.”

The shift in mindset helped both players find meaning in their time away from the court. They realized that being a part of the team was an opportunity that shouldn’t be taken for granted, and they needed to appreciate the sport and the brotherhood that came with it. 

For other athletes dealing with potentially career-ending injuries, they both offered a piece of advice. Jackson said, “It’s not ideal, but be grateful that you had this opportunity. Bring thankfulness, joy, encouragement, and appreciate that you can impact their performance and help them as much as you can.” Jordan highlighted that his perspective changed after his injury, and it made him the player he is today. He wants others to know that they need to find the positives of being injured. 

Though Jackson and Jordan’s college careers went in a direction they never expected, they both have a deeper appreciation for their health, the game, and the impact they can have beyond playing on the court. As Jackson moves on from Indiana University, he takes with him the lessons of gratitude, while Jordan prepares for another shot at the game he loves. Both players have grown through their struggles, proving that resilience, perspective, and gratitude can turn setbacks into opportunities.

 

https://youtu.be/JS9-2QHR3sE

IU men’s basketball players Jordan Rayford and Jackson Creel open up about their experiences with injury, recovery, and the mental toll of being sidelined. Their stories reveal how performance extends beyond the court and into the personal challenges athletes face off the hardwood.

 

Public Relations Story

Apple CEO Tim Cook Debuts Groundbreaking New Product: The Apple Watch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts
Macy Pugh
Raeghan Miller
Dash Glasberg

CUPERTINO, California (Sept. 9, 2014) — Apple CEO, Tim Cook, reveals Apple’s latest product that is going to redefine the watch industry; the Apple Watch. This groundbreaking technology was announced at a convention in September 2014.

“We have one more thing,” Tim Cook said, before introducing the Apple Watch. He debuted Apple’s entry into the world of wearable technology. Apple’s first smartwatch blends the innovative technology that Apple is known for, with more customizability than any other watch on the market. 

Apple is known for creating revolutionary products, including the iPod, Macintosh, and iPhone, and they have continued this tradition by introducing their new line of smartwatches. The Apple Watch has a combination of features that no other smartwatch can offer. The product is meant to embrace individuality, as “it’s as much about personal technology as it is style and taste,” Cook said. It has a level of customizability that outshines all its competitors, by offering three different models, multiple watch straps, and a sapphire crystal screen. With personability being an important characteristic, Apple offers distinct models of the Watch. Each is designed with unique features and materials that cater to the different preferences of Apple’s users. Whether you choose the stainless steel case of the Apple Watch, the lightweight aluminum of the Apple Watch Sport, or the luxurious 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition, they are all designed to fit seamlessly into users’ lives. In addition to the customizability that’s already offered, you can choose from a variety of watch faces and small widgets to further personalize your watch. The widgets are meant to display information that is important to the user, so you can choose from things like weather, the calendar, activity, and more.

A woman uses the Apple Watch touch screen to navigate GPS.
A woman uses the Apple Watch to find a location on GPS. The touch screen allows users to scroll across the map with ease.

 

The personability of the Apple Watch isn’t the only thing that sets it apart from its competitors. The product is designed with an emphasis on health. The Apple Watch “has four sapphire lenses that contain infrared invisible LED lights along with photo sensors that detect your pulse rate,” said John Ive, senior VP of design, “using its gyroscope and accelerometer, and its GPS and wifi from your iPhone, the watch provides a comprehensive picture of your daily activity. This allows the watch to establish and suggest goals.” The design keeps users motivated and on track with their fitness goals. Never before has fitness been this easy to track.

A student swim team manager is wearing an Apple Watch and navigating its home screen.
A swim team student uses the Apple Watch to track his activity in the pool. The Apple Watch is capable of all normal functions in the waterproof setting.

Another aspect that makes the Apple Watch unique is the included features that users are already comfortable with and use every day. The product can receive calls, text messages, and notifications. It also offers the ultimate convenience for users who don’t always have the time to use their phones, as all the information they need is just a glance away on their wrist. A key feature that offers convenience is the watch’s ability to connect with Apple Pay, which allows users to make a payment directly from their wrist. 

Overall, this new smartwatch presented by Apple is a bold and innovative product that will enrich users’ lives and infatuate the market. Users will love how personable and tailored the product is to their lifestyle. Daily tasks and fitness are made easier by tracking users’ activities straight from their wrists. This watch has successfully redefined the world of wearable technology. The Apple Watch will be available in stores worldwide on April 24th, 2015. It will come in two different sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm. Customers can expect to pay $349 for the 38 mm size and $399 for the 42 mm. However this will not mark the end of Apple’s innovative history, as it’s “the next chapter in Apple’s story,” Cook said. 

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, shows various wearable styles of the new Apple Watch. He also displays a video with some of its unique touch features.

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