Football still king, but there’s more to athletics now at Massillon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 8, 2009 -- Columbus, Ohio -- With one of the country’s most decorated football programs of all time, it’s hard for a good player at Massillon’s Washington High School to fall through the cracks when college coaches and scouts come to visit.

But all of the attention can lead to extra work for Tigers’ Coach Jason Hall and the rest of his staff, which makes their partnership with Columbus-based Athletic Scholarship Corporation all the more important.

“It’s given our student-athletes a lot of exposure across the country,” Hall said. “And it’s made my job easier with the taking of phone calls, highlight films and getting all the products out to the coaches… and the number of responses you get is just overwhelming.”

As the result of a successful partnership in 2008-09, ASC and its chief executive officer A.J. Hodel are looking forward to working with the coaches and athletes in Massillon again this coming school year.

“We really achieved what we wanted to across the board last year and the key now is to continue to build on that success,” Hodel said. “It’s about preparing the students for when they’re under a collegiate coach’s microscope. That means it’s about preparing them for more than just
athletics.”

Hodel is delighted that football is no longer the only sport getting attention at Washington High many baseball, basketball and soccer players have been recruited because of the school’s affiliation with ASC.

“A lot of our kids, especially those outside of our football program, are getting a lot of looks from a variety of different schools and have earned scholarships largely because of our partnership with Athletic Scholarship Corporation,” said Washington High Athletic Director Tim Ridgley.


After one of her players earned a college scholarship last season, Washington High Girls Soccer
Coach Megan Young is excited to take a few seniors through the recruiting process this year.

“I think because we’re on a lesser known team, our involvement with Athletic Scholarship Corporation gives them an opportunity to get as much of a look from college coaches as athletes from big name programs,” she said, adding that many of her younger players are also looking ahead.

“We have a strong sophomore class and to get their videos and things like that out to coaches now really gives them a leg up,” Young said. “They see that soccer can lead to something and I have seen an increase in their off-season workouts and dedication.”

Ridgley is looking forward to an even more hands-on experience this year for his athletes with ASC and Hodel said upgraded technology and a more tailored mentoring program will make that possible.

“We’re getting lots of offers, so we’re doing our job,” Hodel said of the more than 75 Massillon athletes he worked with last year. “Even more now, it’s about using the systems we have to find the right match for every student.”

In the end, the coaches agreed that working with ASC made their lives easier and opened doors for their athletes.

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