Non-athletic factors play important part

For high school athletes lucky enough to receive scholarships to play Division I college sports, deciding which school is the biggest decision of their life so far.

There are many factors that students must weigh as they narrow their list down, and ultimately choose the destination for the next four years or so.

The athletes must decide what the most important aspect of the college experience - campus life, academics, coaching staff, teammates and playing time - is for them.

For each individual the order of priorities may be different, and that is why some choose colleges that others wouldn't necessarily attend.

Colorado Springs School basketball star DeLovell Earls, who is heading into his senior year, has many options on his plate.

Earls is being recruited by Colorado State, Denver, Air Force, Northern Arizona, Yale and Dartmouth.

"I've been getting more calls and visits from coaches and playing in national tournaments for my club team," Earls said. "I want to go to a school where I can make a difference on the court, but also get a good education."

Earls is using all of the resources at his disposal, including his father, Christopher, to make the best decision for his future.

"The coaches at CSS have all played college ball, so they're helping me through the process," Earls said. "It would be great to go to a school that has been to the NCAA Tournament, and I hope to commit early and enjoy my senior year of high school."

While Earls takes his time deciding, some local athletes have already committed to their college of choice and will begin attending school in the fall.

Fountain Valley graduate Emy Hanna will be attending TCU on an academic and track and field scholarship.

After being recruited heavily by CSU and Kansas State, Hanna convinced TCU to give her a scholarship.

"I kind of had to recruit myself to TCU, but I really wanted to go there because they have one of the best business schools in the nation," Hanna said. "It fit me better than CSU, and I wanted to get out of Colorado and go to Texas for college."

Hanna, like many athletes, made a decision based on academics and campus life first, and athletics second.

"I like that TCU is a small school, but it's close to big cities," Hanna said. "Going there is going to be a little different than growing up on the ranch, but I'm excited."

Colorado Springs Christian School senior-to-be Morgan Broekhuis has committed to play volleyball at Nebraska after narrowing her schools down to three.

After visiting the schools, Broekhuis said it was very simple why she chose the Cornhuskers.

"I really liked the way the coaches treated the athletes in that program, and it is one of the top programs in the nation," she said.