Destiny Calls
Before the end of the basketball regular season and Brad, Cory and Clinton announced their college choices, I traveled to San Antonio for the U.S. Army All-American Game. The athletic director made sure we had no games that week, so our record wouldn't slip.
When I arrived in Texas, I was greeted by a recruiter. Not your usual one, however.
"What's good Ethan? I'll be throwing you passes Saturday."
"Kevin Newsome, right?"
"That's right Ethan."
"Nice to meet you man, I watched some highlights of you. You're pretty damn good."
"Haha, likewise to you man. You know...I'm committing to Penn State Saturday before the game."
"Great choice. They're in my top five."
"Yeah I know. You should definitely join me in Happy Valley. We would rip apart Big Ten defenses for our enitre careers."
"I'll definitely consider it. Let's just put on a show Saturday."
The rest of the week went by quick. Practices went well, I was building some friendships with some of my teammates and opponents, and the ones that were already committed to colleges were asking me to join them. It got a little annoying after a while, and if I could go through this experience again, I'd be already committed to a school.
Finally on Saturday, it was game day. No more questions about college, no pressure to win the game for your team; just an all-star game where I could have fun and play however I want to play.
"And now let's take a look at number 15, who is just jogging onto the field - Ethan Woy. He's the number two receiver in the country, and is one of the few players here who hasn't committed to a school. Right now his top five schools are Michigan, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Syracuse, and West Virginia, and we have just received word that he will be announcing his committment after the game with a few other players. We'll be live to bring you the news."
"Let's have some fun boys. Gun four, Y sweep on one. Ready? Break!"
One of my favorite plays we've practiced over the week, Kevin would send me in motion and hand me the ball off as soon as he snapped it.
"GREEN, SET, HUT!"
I took the handoff and dashed to the outside. Oklahoma commit Gabe Lynn sprinted towards me, but I juked back and had him fall on his face. With green grass ahead of me, I started accelerating towards the endzone when I was knocked out of bounds by USC commit T.J. McDonald. It was a gain of 27. Kevinthen called a pass play in the huddle and whispered that it was coming to me.
"DOWN, SET, HUT! HUT!"
I ran a deep post on Lynn, and had him beat. Kevin threw the ball perfectly and hit me right in stride for an easy touchdown. That got the crowd fired up, but what we did afterwards made the most noise.
"Newsome looks like he's running over to Woy. Oh my, what's going to happen?"
Kevin and I broke out into a tribute to Michael Jackson, as we started doing the Thriller dance. Of course the refs threw the flag, but since this game didn't really matter, coach didn't care.
"Looks like there's some major chemistry going on between those two. Maybe he'll be announcing his committment to Penn State after the game."
I ended up catching four passes for 56 yards and that touchdown, but was on the wrong end of the scoreboard at the end of the game. Funny how my final high school game was a loss.
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"And now we're back to the U.S. Army All-American Game post-game show, where some major recruits will be announcing their decisions. In a few minutes, five-star receiver Ethan Woy from Pennsylvania will be choosing between five schools."
I was really nervous about the whole decision process. I didn't know what to do. Do I go to Michigan and make Rich Rod and CP happy? Do I go with my favorite school with one of my East teammates in Penn State? I had to get some opinions on this.
*RING RING RING*
"Hello?"
"Yo Brad?"
"What's up man? Saw the game, tough loss. You looked good out there."
"Thanks dude. I'm announcing where I'm committing soon, where do you think I should go?"
"Honestly, Penn State. You've loved that school all your life and it would be your dream to play for Joe Paterno."
"Thanks for the advice man, I'll consider what you said."
"No prob, I'll be watching."
*RING RING RING*
"Hey babe!"
"Hey sweetheart. What are you up to?"
"Just got done watching your game, you were amazing hun."
"Thanks. Where do you think I should go to school?"
"I don't want you to be far away from me, but then again I don't know where I'm going yet. I say Michigan. I really don't want you to get in trouble with the money situation and that would definitely be the safest choice."
"Thanks Mel, I appreciate it."
"You're welcome. I love you."
"Love you too."
When I was dialing another number, I got a call from a New York number.
"Hello?"
"Yes, is this Ethan Woy?"
"It is. Who am I speaking with?"
"Hello Ethan. This is Jim Boeheim, head basketball coach of the Syracuse Orange."
I was completely shocked. I got many offers from mid-major basketball schools, but none from the big-time ones. It was weird how he was calling me before I was about to make my commitment to play football somewhere.
"Wow, it's an honor Coach. What can I do for you?"
"I noticed that you might commit to Syracuse to play football."
"Yeah, they're in the running. Why?"
"How would you like it if I told you that you could play basketball for the Orange as well?"
Two words ran through my mind. Holy shit.
"Wow, really Coach?"
"Yeah. I've seen some tape on you Ethan, and although you're a little undersized as a shooting guard, you have a lot of potential. If Jonny Flynn can stay, we could have a great one-two punch at guard with you two."
"Thanks Coach, I'm definitely considering it."
I had one last person to call before I would announce my college choice.
*RING RING RING*
"Hello?"
"Hey Tim, what's up?"
"Nothing really, just working around the house. What are you up to?"
"About to announce my commitment on NBC."
"Oh shit...really? Where are you going?"
"That's why I called. Any advice you can give me? I don't know where I want to go."
"The only advice I can tell you is to follow your heart. Decide with it and not what others think."
"Thanks Tim."
"No prob man, now get up there and do your thing."
I walked up to the table and sat down. Sitting in front of me were hats of Michigan, Penn State, Syracuse, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech. A bead of sweat started to drip from my forehead as I moved my mouth towards the mic.
"Hey everyone, thank you for coming out. I'd like to thank the U.S. Army All-American Game committee for inviting me out here; it was a blast. I'd like to thank my teammates and coaches for being there throughout the season, and my family for being there throughout my life. Without further adieu, I will be attending..."
My hand started to hover over all the hats to build suspense before settling on a dark blue one. The reporters gasped a little when I put it on.
"Syracuse University, to play both football and basketball. I went with my heart on this choice. Basketball was my first love ever since junior high, and now having the opportunity to play my favorite sport and my favorite hobby at the same school is a dream come true. I'm sorry to the coaches that didn't get me, believe me, it was a tough decision. I don't really want to answer any questions, sorry. With that being said, I look forward to making some headlines at Syracuse and leading them to the promise land during my four years there. Have a good night and God Bless."
My family hugged me and told me that they accept my decision. As I was getting congratulated by more people, my phone started to vibrate.
"Wrong decision."