1. Why did you decide to sign with Northwood University?

I choose Northwood University because all arrows pointed in that direction. It is not too close, nor too far from home. The student to teacher ratio is great. The campus is perfect! Also, I had a friend who attended that school and passed away last year due to heart complications. And I know if he was here he would want it no other way. : )

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

Honestly, I try not to show my excitement! But since you asked, I am beyond excited! I am just ready to begin this new chapter and be on my way to the goals and dreams I have been shaping for the last 18 years of my life!

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

The advice I would give to others is just take care of business, be persistent, and put all you have out there, yes including yourself – put yourself out there in front of college coaches! No holding back! And keep the FAITH!

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My loving mother! Because all the stuff I’ve seen her go through for my siblings and I. I just can’t way to see the day I put a smile on her face for all good she has done.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I would like to just see my self excel in the sport of volleyball, see some playing time on the hardwood as a Freshman, get to the level where I can compete in the 2016 Olympics, and let God do the rest.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Cornell University?

I decided to sign with Cornell University for many reasons. My journey with Cornell started with my recruiting coordinator, Coach Travis Burkett staying in contact with me throughout the whole process. He was always very confident and upbeat about the program. His excitement about the upcoming football season was beyond contagious for both my family and I. I went on my official visit in November of 2011 and instantly fell in love with the Cornell football program. Every coach showed a lot of enthusiasm and were beyond excited about telling me all about the program. I felt welcomed as a family member by the coaches and players right away. I had an opportunity to eat breakfast with the team, go to a game, and spend quality time with the coaches and players after. It was everything I had hoped playing college football would be like. Everything I saw, the campus, the football program etc…told me that this was the college of my dreams. This was an opportunity I just could not pass up. I will be able to play college football and graduate with an Ivy League education.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I am very excited to become a student-athlete at Cornell University. I am beyond anxious to expand my knowledge in the classroom and prove myself on and off the football field. I will work hard in everything I do at Cornell University in order to be successful as both a student and an athlete.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

My advice toward other athletes getting recruited would be to let the college football team choose you. Yes, have your dream schools and work your hardest in all that you do. However, you should not go to a school just because it has always been your dream; you need to feel wanted and needed by your future team. Also, don’t expect everything to come to you just by playing. You need to put yourself out there and send emails to colleges stating your interest in the program, a short biography about you and your highlight film.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My biggest influence in my sports career would have to be my brother who is 2 years older than me. My parents always supported me in everything that I did and always set me up to train with the best athletes including former professional football players and always pushed me to be the best that I could be. They also attended every sporting event I have ever had to support me. However, I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today if I hadn’t been constantly competing with my brother Adam since we were little kids. We always competed with each other and if one person did more in something, then the other would beat it. This started when we were young kids in youth football when I was around the age of 7. A prime example of our competitiveness between each other was every night we would both do about 350 pushups and sit-ups and call it even, then leave the room and knock out more on our own to beat each other. Then the next morning we would tell each other how many we did and whomever did less would then knock out the difference. This has gone on between us ever since.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

During my college sports career I would like to become a leader and a captain on my Cornell Football team. I would like my fellow teammates to come to me for help and guidance, whether it be on or off the football field. As for my selfish goals, I would like to become the starting running back and help my team win an undisputed Ivy League Championship.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with West Virginia State University?

I chose this school because it is close to home, it isn’t very expensive, they have a great basketball and education program, and I like all of the coaches on the coaching staff.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I am extremely excited to be playing college basketball. It has been a dream of mine for awhile and I can’t wait to finally fulfill it. I am also excited to be representing my city and family as best as I can while still earning a degree.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Work as hard as you can. Find websites for recruiting. Make a video and send it places, maybe not everyone will look at it, but most will. Remember that not every school is the right one for you; you have to find one that fits you, both athletically and educationally.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My biggest influence in my sports career would probably be my high school coach. I may have only known him for a couple years, but he was my sports role model and he molded me into the player that I am today. He helped me grow as a person and a player and he is one of the reasons that I will be playing a college sport.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I would like to be a perfect example of a student-athlete. I want to be able to succeed in the class and on the court. Also, I would like to improve my game and become a sixth man, role player, or possibly a starter.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with SUNY Cortland?

I live in Alaska, but I have high family morals. So I decided to live near my extended family in New York over other, more glamorous places, like Washington State. Cortland’s soccer program is not the best in the area, but they have my major. I will try out and try to achieve my dreams of playing collegiate soccer.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I can’t wait to try out for the team. I have always been the best player on my team because there are not very many soccer players in Alaska. In Seward, I had to spend my entire senior season practicing indoors because there was too much snow on the field to play outside. Here in Cortland, I will be able to play an entire season outdoors, which is how the game should be played. Being around people that genuinely love the game will only enhance my drive and competitiveness.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Talk to the coaches wherever you want to go. Make sure you have a positive attitude. If they see that you really want to be a part of their team, they will embrace you and recruit you because of your character. Skill will get you on their radar, but character is what makes them want you. Coaches don’t want someone who will always be a distraction.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My father was my soccer coach when I was young and he has always been there for me. This year he drove hours out of his way and missed work just to see me play. Even when it was obvious our team was going to get stomped, he found ways to find the positives. He is why I keep my head up. I couldn’t imagine a better father figure.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I would like to prove to everybody that small school players can play too. My team the last three years had only ten players and I helped bring them to relevance. My coach said I scored the most goals in Seward history. I want to make that kind of impact here. Seeing that my teammates will be better, I want to be known more as more of a playmaker. Most importantly, I want to say that I helped SUNY Cortland’s soccer program, since they’re not known as a major soccer school.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Quincy University?

Quincy University is first class in academics and athletics. The town is great and they all support football, basketball and baseball by coming out and watching every game. I can’t wait to represent the city to the best of my ability.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

My athletic director told me to write down my one lifetime goal when I was a freshman. My goal never changed throughout high school: “I want to play collegiate basketball.” So right now, I’m living my dream and couldn’t ask for anything else.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Stay positive through your recruiting process. There will always be ups and downs along the way, but you need to consider all levels of play in college, DI, DII, DII, NAIA, and Junior College. If you don’t consider all the options, then you may end up having no options to play a college sport. Also, recruits need to go approach college coaches and show an interest in their program. Coaches will not come find you, especially if the recruit is attending a small high school, like I did.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

My brother Jake Thomas. He has gone through so many ups and downs through his playing career. He now is one of the top football long snappers in the country today, with possible options to play professionally.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

Graduating is number one on the list. I plan to graduate from Quincy with a degree in International Business. On the basketball side of things, I’m just happy to be playing in college. I’m just going to play basketball to the best of my ability every single day I step on the court. That’s all I can control at this point.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Elizabethtown College ?

I chose this school because it was rather close to home and they are very stellar academically. I also believe the lacrosse program is on the rise and has a very bright future.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I am very excited about becoming a collegiate student-athlete because it is all about taking things to the next level. I will grow as a student, as well as a lacrosse player and that is just very exciting.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

Get involved with club teams over the summer and do your best to get your name out there. That is what it’s all about.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

Definitely my coaches because they taught me all that I know about the sport and helped me with the whole recruiting process.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I would like to help my team win as many games as possible and help make a name for Etown lacrosse.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with UC Riverside?

I chose UCR because it is a beautiful school. It was far from home, but not too far. The coaches were nice and I hear they are really good coaches.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

It is an exciting feeling being a student-athlete. You get first priority in choosing classes, a lot of people look up to you, and you get to compete at a high level.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

When getting recruited, don’t sign too fast. I didn’t sign until after school was over. I kept my options open and I’m glad I did, because I made the best decision of my life.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

Lisa Leslie is my sports idol. She was a very talented basketball star and she had a great personality. She knew how to control herself and put God first.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I would like to make all the invitational meets by hitting a good mark. I would like to PR all the time so I can get better. I would also like to finish school in 4 years with a sociology degree.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Piedmont College?

From the beginning in my college selection process, I wanted to go to a school that would allow me to play lacrosse, but also give me the best education I could get. Piedmont wasn’t even on my original list, but a few emails were shared and before I knew it, they came from Georgia all the way to New Hampshire to see me play. After realizing that they were interested in me, I looked at the school in-depth and realized that it would be a perfect fit for me.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

Unbelievable. I never thought I would ever get to this point in my lacrosse career. I always looked at collegiate athletes as these majestic, superior players and when I got my first email from a college coach, I realized that I was among those elite players. Being able to say that you’re playing college lacrosse is literally one of the coolest things ever.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

My advice would be to not get discouraged. I know it may sound cliché, but it’s true. Many underclassmen in high school don’t realize that they are not a top priority to a college recruiter. They are looking for players who will be able to help them as soon as possible. I remember playing my freshman year for a summer team and all of the older players were being talked to by recruiters but I wasn’t. I talked to my coach and he told me my time will come, and sure enough, it did. Continue to work hard even when you’re younger; because even if a coach doesn’t come up and talk to you, you might still be on his list of future recruits.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

Hands down my dad. He has always been there throughout every sport I played, whether I liked it or not. He believes that there is always room for improvement. Yeah, the pressure gets to me sometimes, but in the end I understand that he is helping me and that’s what keeps me going. He is a great mentor and a huge motivator. He was definitely a big part of me getting scouted.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

By the end of my college career, I would like to be able to look back at all four years and feel accomplished. I want to know that I made an impact on my team, whether I was the leading scorer, the leading feeder, or the kid on the team with the most spirit. Regardless, I want to leave college, knowing that I will be missed.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Gannon University?

I liked the whole environment and the vibe that the school had. I also liked all of the academic programs they offered. I knew that I’d get a good balance of lacrosse and school, which was what I was really looking for in a school.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

I’m so beyond excited to become a collegiate student-athlete. It was always my dream to be able to do what I love, while preparing myself for the future. I know that enjoying my time playing lacrosse right now and being in school will prepare me for life after college, and I am so excited to begin the experience.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

I would tell other athletes to explore every option. Make sure you give every offer, or email, or coach a chance. Don’t say no right away just because it’s not your childhood dream. I made sure to look into every school that ever emailed me or called me. You never know when some place you have never heard of turns into your new dream school.

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

I think the biggest influence in my sports career has to be my coaches. I would be no where if I didn’t have any of the people who coached me in my life, even my friend’s dad in peewee soccer. They all had some sort impact on my life, whether it was good or bad, they had an impact and made me into the person I am today. I am so glad I had my coaches to ask for advice, especially through the recruiting process, because I had no clue what it was going to be like.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I would just like to be happy and proud of myself. Whether that means I’m the star player, or if that means I’m the team cheerleader. As long as I’m happy with my role on the team, and I’m proud of myself and my teammates; I just want to be happy.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Trinity Valley Community College?

I chose Trinity Valley because it was the best choice financially, academically, and athletically.

2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?

It has always been my dream to play football collegiately and now that this dream is becoming a reality, I’m extremely excited and ready to get to work.

3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?

To any high school athlete pursuing the next level I would tell them, “Never give up on your dream, not if you want it more than anything else. Never let any one tell you what you can and can’t do. Go big or go home as a teammate is what I would always say.”

4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?

The most influential person in my career, despite never meeting him, would have to be my late grandfather. He was a high school football coach in Ohio who loved the game and that passion has been passed down through my family. When I got that passion I found what I do best and turned all of our dreams into a reality.

5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?

I want to help my team win multiple conference and national titles. But first and foremost I want to be the best student athlete I can be in my double major of business management and communication.

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