The Bee’s Richard T. Estrada asked athletes signing college letters of intent Wednesday to discuss some of the factors that influenced the decision, as well as advice for aspiring student-athletes. Here’s what they had to say:
MARQUES BARRON, MERCED HIGH/UC DAVIS
Parents: Curtis and Kara Barron.
“They are always supporting me and telling me how important school is. They always threatened that if my grades weren’t good they would take away sports.”
Q: What factored into your decision to pick your school? What is your planned major and what is about the academic environment that attracted you? Were there other schools in the final running? If so, who were they?
A: I felt like I could be there for a time in my life, and if it could help me get anywhere after college. (My major will be) exercise biology and the school is at the top academically. Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo was (another school in the running).
Q: Given your athletic/academic success, any advice for younger athletes who see what you have accomplished and hope to duplicate it?
A: Don’t forget that having good academic success also helps if sports fail. They also support you to get to college.
Q: Any one or two memories you take with you as you leave high school?
A: I’ll ever forget my “brother” Kam (Kameron Huddleston) and how he always told me how great I could be.
Q: When will you arrive for college classes and what do you hear is the athletic plan for you during your freshman year? Redshirt, position switch or such? And what was it that you think attracted the school to you?
A: I’m not sure when I will arrive, and I plan to redshirt as a freshman. UC Davis wants me at defensive end. My academics attracted me to UC Davis and my athleticism as a defensive line attracted UC Davis to me.
Q: Is it a 4- or 5-year scholarship offer, and what is the approximate annual value?
A: It’s a five-year, full scholarship (UC Davis charges $10,300 for registration, and that doesn’t include books, food or housing — which are part of a full scholarship offer).
REGGIE BELL, MANTECA HIGH/UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
Parents: Sydne Berry and Reggie L. Bell
“My mom made sure that me and my brother were on top of all our school work and got us into sports very early. I started playing football at the age of 8 and haven’t stopped. I just completed my 10th year of competition and don’t plan on stopping.”
Q: What factored into your decision to pick your school? What is your planned major and what is about the academic environment that attracted you? Were there other schools in the final running? If so, who were they?
A: First off, to God goes the glory. Main factors in choosing my school were academics, athletics and the city. When I took my official visit to the University of San Diego, I saw the campus was parked on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I couldn’t say no to the city of San Diego — what’s not to like. I’m undecided on my major but I am looking toward business managment and communications, sports broadcasting and journalism, and also kinesiology.
There were a few schools in the final running, (including) San Jose State, Washington, Stanford, Sacramento State and UC Davis, but they were looking for a walk-on. That’s not what I was looking for.
Q: Given your athletic/academic success, any advice for younger athletes who see what you have accomplished and hope to duplicate it?
A: To younger athletes, it is possible to play Division 1-A or I-AA ball. The No. 1 thing is academics.. It may not be the best part (of school), but its the most important part. It is too hard and competitive today to get anywhere without grades. Next comes the athletics. You have to play hard but practice harder. Working on your own for two-and-a-half hours, and not giving it your all your, is not bettering your self. It’s not how many hours you work, but how much work you put into the hours, remember that. You don't have to be the biggest or strongest. Keep your mind in the right place and good things will happen.
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