More than 7 million high school athletes compete in this country, under 30,000 play at the college level and only a select few get to make a living as a professional.
Millions of kids around the world dream of making it to the pro leagues, but the journey there is extremely difficult. The likelihood of turning professional is less than 2%, and some players don’t even get scouted in high school. However, the glimmer of hope is always present. Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills star quarterback, went into his senior year with no stars or offers and now he is making millions in the NFL.
Rogers High School Mounties softball player Tillie Garcia, 11, has received four college offers: University of the Ozarks, Williams Baptist University, ASU Mountain Home, and ASU Newport. She believes that staying motivated to push forward despite the circumstances keeps her energized to perform at her highest level. She tells herself not to give up because she once burnt herself out on sports, but the motivational phrase ‘you’re going to make it’ kept her going forward, Garcia said.
Joseph Canzoneri, 12, is a Mountie baseball player who looks toward a supportive environment when it comes to choosing his destined college at the University of Pine bluff. He seeks a connection that can best uplift him and assist him on his journey.
“I like community, I like the sense of community on a team. I want to be welcomed there, I want guys to be supportive and everything to help me with my journey while I’m helping them with their journey,” Canzoneri said.
Most athletes go through a time at some point in their careers where they question if what they are doing is really for them, if they should keep going, or if they will even make a living off of doing something they love. Cam Cunningham, 12, went through this stage but stuck with football and now he is going to play Division One football at Drake University.
“I would tell my younger self never to give up. There was a point where I almost quit because I wasn’t really into it as much. I’m glad I didn’t because that got me where I am now,” Cunningham said.
When recruiters watch an athlete play, it is stressful, but when they have their teammates alongside them, it leads to a stress-free game and they get to play their best ball.
“I’m not playing for myself, I feel like I am playing for my teammates and to glorify God,” said Braxton Lindsey, 11, a football player with nine college offers as of now.
