WISEMAN, WI — What finally convinces an adolescent that Wisconsin is the ideal location for him to grow both academically and athletically?
The prospect’s family history at the university, the coaching staff’s communication style, the worth of a degree, or the program’s track record of success could all be decisive factors.
The decisive moment could be subtle: Often, it boils down to a gut instinct, a feeling of familiarity with coaches, potential teammates, and/or the campus.
During the most recent NCAA early signing period, which took place from November 9 to November 16, all of those variables were in effect.
A new group of recruits for the 2017–18 academic year has been announced by a number of UW programs, including men’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s hockey, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, wrestling, and volleyball.
However, as they observed their child making decisions, what perceptions did their parents form?
Left-hander Wendy Castro-Jimenez can pitch and play first base as a power source. She is from Tucson, Arizona. She will “no doubt” succeed on the field and is “brilliant” academically, according to UW softball coach Yvette Healy.
Wendy’s father, Alejandro Castro, went with her to Madison for a recruiting visit. Noting that “the biggest point was how friendly everybody was and how they treated you like a family,” he expressed his surprise at the community’s overall level of activity.
As one of six prospects to sign with the Badgers, Castro said it was “almost like a no-brainer” that his daughter, a member of the National Honor Society who hit.521 as a junior at Canyon Del Oro High School, would be joined.
“They make sure their athletes are taken care of as far as academics and getting help if they need help,” he stated. “I was happy to hear that.”
Despite the fact that Sean Dhooghe is 19 and Jason is 17, the brothers from Aurora, Illinois, will play men’s hockey for the University of Washington together next season. These are both little wingers with a fierce streak of determination. Sean skates for Ann Arbor, Michigan’s U.S. National Team Developmental Program, while Jason plays for Green Bay in the U.S. Hockey League.
“When the three coaches came it was just something my boys really wanted to explore and see if it would be a good fit,” Dan Dhooghe explained. “Everything fell into place.”
Although Sean had verbally committed to Ohio State, he changed his mind because he could now skate with his brother, play closer to home, and receive coaching from a coach he knew.
Dan Dhooghe remarked, “It was one of the very first schools they both visited,” and he said that Granato and Co.’s hiring was “very huge.”
Delaney Drake’s father, Dallas, played a number of games in Madison before she was one of five prospects to sign with coach Mark Johnson and his four-time national champion UW women’s hockey program.
He wasn’t like his daughter
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