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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1. Why did you decide to sign with the University of Dallas?

I heard about this school through the volleyball coach and decided to check it out. I chose to attend the University of Dallas because of my campus visit. I absolutely fell in love with the university, and was able to imagine myself attending college there.

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

I am extremely excited to start my first college season at the University of Dallas. It is actually going to be the first time getting in a game since my ACL repair surgery I had in March. So just being able to continue my athletic career, let alone at the college level, is exciting in itself.

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

Don’t focus too heavily on the athletic aspect of your college decision. You want to be able to see yourself attending this school even if you didn’t have the opportunity to play there. College should be a great experience, so being able to enjoy yourself and learn in a good environment that you want to be in will help make your college decision better for you.

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

My family and my club team have had the biggest influence on me when it comes to volleyball. My family has always been very supportive and has given me a great foundation to always make me want to better myself and not have a losing attitude. My club team has always challenged me to become a better athlete and made me want to continue my athletic career through college, even after my injury. (I tore my ACL in Jan. 2012)

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

I would like to help my team become the best we can be. While being successful on the court, I want to be successful in my classes as well.

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1. Why did you decide to sign with Miami University of Ohio?

I chose to sign with Miami in June. This was very late notice because of unexpected track success. I was also All Ohio in Football and was planning to play at a smaller college before I began to get Division 1 track offers in late May and early June. I chose Miami over some other MAC schools because of their academic standards, great campus and facilities, and because several of my friends will also be attending.

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

I am very excited about the opportunity to compete in the MAC and to train year round with high caliber athletes.

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

My advice to other kids with college sports aspirations is to work hard and hopefully your performance will get noticed. Also, I wouldn’t and didn’t waste money on expensive recruiting websites, I found that emailing the coaches directly or having high school coaches talk to them on my behalf was a great method.

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

My greatest influences are my older brothers Scott and Ross, as well as my track coach, Dave Agosta. Without these people to guide and support me I undoubtedly wouldn’t have had this opportunity.

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

My goals for college track as a freshman are to enjoy the experience and reach my athletic potential.

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

I selected Bethany College because of their history program as well as their football program. Their history program helps you increase your intellect and they elaborate on modern history and ancient history. Their football program last year earned a record of 8-3. Their coaches were very supportive in my process of helping me decide what educational institution to attend. Their program has won numerous league championships and has the ideal potential to win a national championship.

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

I’m extremely excited about becoming a college student-athlete. It’s an honor and privilege to play the game of football at such a high level. It’s been a dream to play college football and my ultimate goal is to make it to the NFL. I was ecstatic and jumping for joy when I finally made the decision to play college football and attend Bethany College. I realize the blessings of God because without him I wouldn’t have the opportunity to participate in college football. I will never forget the excitement level; it was comparable to someone winning the lottery.

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

The advice I would give to other athletes is to work hard in their respective sport, and to never give up. They should realize that they are a student- athlete and that academics are a priority. Without a successful academic career colleges won’t pursue you. It’s a great idea to fill out a questionnaire to a college you are interested in and send film to college coaches so they can discover you just in case you’re not on the ESPN top 150 high school athletes. When you are competing for your respective high school team, always have a respective attitude and compete on a level that you thought wasn’t even imaginable; always compete to win and never to lose.

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

The biggest influence has been Jerry Rice, because he is the greatest wide receiver to play in the NFL. Coincidently, I play the same position as Jerry Rice. He never gave up and two weeks after the season ended he would start his off-season workout. His reason was chasing a championship because that was his ultimate goal. He also inspired me to be a respectful, hard-working young man and to dress well. He never had any attitude problems and displayed great respect for his fans. To this day he inspires me to be great because if he can do it I can do it. And I will do it with desire, dedication, and determination.

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

I would like to become a league champion, national champion, and an All-American.

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