By Jase Herrick · Contributing Writer
At six feet and nine inches tall, Grove City College junior Austin Johncour quite literally stands out in a crowd.
Whether walking across campus or sitting in class, he’s used to catching people’s attention and answering the same questions repeatedly.
“The first thing people always ask me is, ‘How tall are you?’ I’ve probably answered that question thousands of times,” Johncour said.
While being tall comes with its advantages, Johncour admits it also creates a few everyday challenges.
“It’s hard to find clothing that fits. It’s also super hard to fit in the dorm beds here. One big thing is that I have to duck or slouch to walk under most doorways,” Johncour explained. “It’s something I’ve just gotten used to.”
Despite those inconveniences, he keeps a good sense of humor about it.
“People are always comparing their height to mine,” he said. “It’s kind of funny. Everyone wants to see where they measure up and usually, they’re disappointed.”
A close friend of Johncour’s, junior Levi Teets, shared his thoughts when meeting Johncour for the first time.
“Freshman year I just walked into my dorm floor, and I saw him standing there. I mean, I’m no tall guy myself — I’m standing there at 5’7”, while he’s literally looking down at me offering to shake my hand,” Teets explained.
According to Johncour, the second question usually asked is, “Do you play basketball?”
“Yes, I play basketball for Grove City,” he said. “It’s something I’ve always enjoyed, and being tall definitely helps on the court.”
Another fellow junior, Gabriel Ziccarelli, said Johncour’s height is only part of what makes him stand out.
“Austin isn’t just some tall dude: He is THE tall dude. He’s a great player to watch on the court. I keep trying to get him to join our intramural basketball team, but I think that might be cheating,” Ziccarelli said.
However, the physical demands of both height and athletic activity can take their toll.
“My joints and back are under a lot of stress and hurt very often,” he admitted. “There’s definitely a physical cost that people don’t always see that requires a lot of extra work and rehab.”
Still, Johncour wouldn’t trade his height for anything.
“I’m happy being tall,” he said. “There are some challenges, but life is easier in a lot of ways too. Being able to reach things off the top shelf is definitely a plus.”
While his height often draws attention, Johncour has learned to keep his confidence high.
“People will try to tear you down out of insecurity. You just have to not listen to the noise. Everyone has something that makes them stand out. For me, it just happens to be my height,” Johncour said.
According to Johncour, that confidence has helped him embrace both the benefits and the burdens of being six foot nine. He sees his height as only a part of his identity rather than something that defines him completely.
“Being tall is just one aspect of who I am. It’s taught me patience, confidence and to stay grounded, even when I’m standing taller than most people,” Johncour explained.
Around campus, Johncour’s height might be the first thing people notice, but friends say his kindness and humor make a stronger impression according to Teets. He’s learned to balance the curiosity and attention that comes with his stature while maintaining perspective.
“He’s just a great dude. We have a ton of the same classes together and he’s always got something funny to say. But when it’s time to lock in for class, he locks in. He’s an overall great guy,” Teets said.
When asked if he had any kind of unusual story about his height since he has been at the college, he had a very insightful answer.
“Typically, someone as tall as me would have a few funny stories, but I really don’t. Besides hitting my head a few times or being too tall for some chairs, there isn’t really anything interesting about it. I think that really says something. I’m just another guy walking around campus,” Johncour explained.
At the end of the day, Johncour is just another student navigating college life — though he has to duck under a doorway a little more often than most people.
“Being tall has its challenges, but I wouldn’t change it. It’s just who I am.” Johncour said with a smile.
