They have a great basketball program, and a beautiful campus. And they showed great interest in me. It was important that they offered my intended major, and when I found out that they did, that sealed the deal.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
It’s a great feeling to know that my hard work has paid off, and I have the opportunity to play college basketball. I am living out my dreams.
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
Stay persistent, if you want to be noticed, send your tapes to schools, and ask your high school coach to get in contact with those colleges. Don’t get discouraged, and don’t be scared to talk to these coaches.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
My step dad. He taught me the mental aspects of the game that I needed. He taught me to stay strong-minded, and calm. He taught me to never let my attitude get the best of me, and I can do anything I put my mind to.
5. What would you like to accomplish during college sports career?
I want to win and bring a title back to Union. I want to be a leader on and off the court, and Lord willing, play professional basketball someday.
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
1. Why did you decide to sign with The College of Wooster?
I chose Wooster because I felt that it was the best fit for me, both on and off the field. The school itself is very prestigious, and has high academic standards. Another huge factor were my teammates and coaches. Wooster was a place where I truly felt like I fit in.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
I am extremely excited to be a student-athlete in college. I know that it will be time consuming, and sometimes very difficult to balance schoolwork and football, but I look forward to embracing the challenge. Ultimately I feel that being a student-athlete will better prepare me for life after college.
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
Advice to athletes looking to get recruited: get yourself out there. There are tons of recruiting websites available, you should take full advantage of them. Go to camps as well. Camps are a great way to showcase your abilities, talk to coaches, and get recruited. Start early! One mistake that I made was that I started a little too late in my high school career. The earlier you start, the more time coaches will have to recruit you. The process of getting recruited by colleges can be daunting, and can sometimes feel like too much to deal with. Take your time, and do not get in a rush to choose a school. When you are ready to commit, you’ll know.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
The biggest influence throughout my entire sports career without a doubt was my parents. They have supported me since 3rd grade when I started playing football. They were so helpful during my recruiting process as well. My parents were always so open to check out any school I had interest in. They helped me settle down when I felt overloaded. Without them, it’s hard to tell where I’d be.
5. What would you like to accomplish during college sports career?
In my college career I have plenty of things I’d like to accomplish. I’d love to bring a conference championship back to Wooster. I’d also like to make a big run in the D3 playoffs. Aside from that, I’d really just like to prove to myself, and everyone else that I did what I set out to do.
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
1. Why did you decide to sign with Kentucky Christian University?
I went to the campus and it was not that big but I loved it. It’s a small school, but I like it because of the class sizes, where you can have one-on-one with the teachers. The football program just started under a new young coach. It’s a young team but I like it because of the recruiting class the coach is bringing in.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
I am so excited; I can’t wait until the first day I step foot on campus as a college student-athlete. I know it is going to be harder than being a high school student-athlete, but I am up for the challenge.
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
Just keep working hard. Don’t ever take a day off, because if you do, just know that there is another kid working to be better than you. That’s one thing I wish I could go back and do.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
Two good friends of mine, because when I first moved to the US from Ghana I had no idea what football was, but they helped me get better every day, and to this day they are still on me, trying to make me better.
5. What would you like to accomplish during college sports career?
I would love to be able to hang a national championship banner in my school and also become an All-American.
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
1. Why did you decide to sign with Tennessee Wesleyan College?
I decided to choose Tennessee Wesleyan College because they are my hometown college. I grew up 5 minutes from the college. They also have an amazing winning tradition. Winning their first NAIA world series this year.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
Being a college student-athlete has been a dream of mine. I’ve worked hard in and out in the classroom to get here.
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
I would say work as hard as you can every day and never give up on your dream. Never let someone tell you that you can’t.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
Oh, most defiantly my dad. He coached me and taught me everything he knew and has taken me to more games than I can count. He has pushed me and I thank him daily. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without him.
5. What would you like to accomplish during college sports career?
I would like to have a healthy 4 years and hopefully fulfill my childhood dream of playing pro ball.
Over the last five years, SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
1. Why did you decide to sign with Vanier College?
I decided to sign with Vanier College based on the outstanding football program, and opportunity to excel in my studies. With such a high number of kids attending university after they’re finished at Vanier, I knew it was the right choice. With the excellent coaching and training program, I knew that if I chose Vanier, they would help me become the best player I could potentially be. I went down to Vanier on April 13th, 2012 for a practice, and all the players and coaches greeted me in such a friendly manner, it was hard to say no to Vanier College. The facilities were awesome, the coaching was awesome, and you can just tell that you were in a championship atmosphere at Vanier. I knew that this would be my new team, school, and a place I could call “home”.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
The excitement about becoming a student-athlete is just endless. Attending a school with the exact program you want is ideal, but the fact that the football program at Vanier College is also top notch was like music to my ears. I’m not only studying what I love (media arts), but also doing what I love, by playing football.
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
To all athletes that are looking to be recruited, DO NOT GIVE UP! I started playing football 3 years ago, and one of my coaches told me “you’ll never go anywhere with football. You should just quit while you’re ahead”. Well sure enough, I proved him wrong. Nothing comes easy though, you’re gonna get back whatever you put into a situation. Keep yourself in the weight room a lot, watch a lot of film, and always stay focused on and off the field. I would also suggest to make a highlight tape, as it will really help in the whole recruiting process and it will also help you get your name out there to lots of coaches.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
I would say I definitely have more than just one big influence on playing football. First off, my ex-girlfriend of 4 years, Alessia Morisani who recently passed away on October 2011 in a car accident is one of my biggest influences. After my first season of football, I just wasn’t happy with my play. I didn’t know the game as well as the others did around me, so I wanted to quit. Alessia always told me “I believe in you. You’re such a determined person, you can do whatever you put your head to. You’re gonna go where you want to go in football, I promise.” Therefore, I did a lot of training in the off-season and once I came back to play, my game was improved. Vanier College is where I wanted to go, and sure enough after the passing of Alessia, is when I got in contact with Vanier College. She was right, I got where I wanted to go because of how determined I was, and no matter what criticism I heard, I never gave up because I knew I could do it. She was always my biggest fan, influence, and motivator. Before every game I say a prayer to her, and I know she’s there in spirit. There’s no bigger influence than Alessia for me.
Another influence is my family and friends. Without my family and friends staying behind me and believing in me, it would definitely be harder to be as passionate as I am about the game. Everything I do, whether it’s going to visit schools in the U.S. or Quebec, or even things as simple as getting to football practice or football games, I can always count on my parents to have my back and help me with what I want to do. I definitely couldn’t do it without my parents.
5. What would you like to accomplish during college sports career?
During my college sports career I would like to accomplish many things. I would like to become a better student, become stronger in the weight room, become better technically, and also become smarter on the field. I feel that attending Vanier College will help me accomplish all of that. After my 2 years at Vanier College, I would like to go to the NCAA and play some Division 1 football. With all the experience and knowledge I take from my coaching staff, combined with my determination and never quit attitude that I take from myself, this goal is very achievable.
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
1. Why did you decide to sign with Cornell College?
I really like everything they offered me. They are very high on academics, which really interest me, and also the football team has a fresh new coach staff, so change is coming. They treated me like I was family on my visit and welcomed me with open arms.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
I’m very excited there aren’t words to even explain how excited I am for this opportunity. I dream about being in Iowa every night. I’m just training and counting my days down.
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
The advice I would give is to be at the top of everything. If someone runs extra sprints or does extra work you do double what they do and lead your team. Also, never get discouraged when things don’t go your way, because at one point in time I lost an offer because of coaching changes and I hung up my cleats. But nothing is ever given to you, you have to go out and take it.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
My biggest influence has been my uncle Rick and mother. My uncle Derek “Ricky” Newman attended Illinois State, and then played Arena football for the Cleveland Thunderbolts. He was shot 3 times in his car and killed. I want to finish what he started and play pro football one day. If I have to start from the bottom, I will and work my way up the chain to the top. My mother has done so much for me and has attended every single one of my sporting events since I started playing flag football. She has always wanted the best for me and I just want to give back to her all the love she has showed me. She is like my heart that keeps pumping and keeps me going when I’m down.
5. What would you like to accomplish during college sports career?
I would like to be one of those players that everyone talks about how hard he worked and how he led the team. I want people to say, “Yeah Dentist Hall, he was one of the greats I played with.” Also, I want to break a couple records and leave my name on the school.
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.
1. Share your recruiting story and status (ex. what was the process like? when did you commit/sign?)
My recruiter was head coach Alex Smith. The process was long because he did not have my film and therefore was not able to make a proper evaluation of me. Once my film was submitted to the coach he became much more interested because I showed that I was committed. I wanted to show them that I was not only interested in their baseball program but in their education program as well. Once they had seen one of my games the coach had asked me if I would like to play for Luther and so I signed on April 14, 2012.
2. What school are you going to, and why did you choose them?
I am attending Luther College in Iowa. I chose Luther because I knew that this school has what it takes to provide me with a successful future academically and athletically.
3. How did SportsForce help in the process?
SportsForce provides you with the means necessary to find coaches and schools of interests, while also providing the coaches with information about yourself.
4. What advice would you give to other players and parents with the recruiting process (ex. start early, get a highlight video)?
Advice that I would give to others is to start playing ball at an early age and to have as much fun with the game as possible. While playing always make highlight videos of yourself to show off your skills and the progress that you make.
5. How excited are you on your future in college?
I am very excited to go to a school that will provide me with a great education as well as be playing the game that I have always loved since I was a child.
You may have heard this tale before, I know I have. It is popular for all the right reasons, it’s inspiring, picks you up and makes you feel good and tugs at the heart strings. The story that had garnered attention every couple of years is that of the ritual of “Picking Up Butch.” This ritual happens at Middlebury College in Vermont and is carried out by the college’s athletes. Butch Varno is a local man with history with the colleges teams started when he was a boy. Butch has cerebral palsy, confining him to a wheelchair, and limiting his ability to do everyday tasks.
For fifty years it has been a tradition for Middlebury’ s athletes to pick up Butch, a die hard fan, and take him to school football, basketball games and more. The ritual of “Picking Up Butch” teaches Middlebury’s athletes lessons they could ever learn on the court or the field. The story was most recently shared E:60 by ESPN this past month. Watch the video below and you’ll understand why this story changes every one it touches.
To learn more about Butch and the tradition of Picking Up Butch, visit the links below.
1. Share your recruiting story and status (ex. what was the process like? when did you commit/sign?)
