Students from all classes filed into Wildcat Arena on Nov 13 to witness two prominent athletes sign on with their respective colleges, solidifying their futures in college athletics. Senior volleyball player Emily Coats signed on to play with the University of Arkansas Fort Smith for her college years, and senior golfer Conner Neil signed to golf for Missouri Southern State in Joplin.
Coats is the ninth volleyball player from Har-Ber high to sign with a college team. She is a very well-rounded athlete, having competed in pole-vaulting in track as well. Coats has also played on competitive volleyball teams outside of school.
“I feel so blessed to be able to play at a college level,” said Coats at the signing. UAFS offered her a full scholarship to sign on with them.
“The school just seemed like the perfect fit,” she explained why she chose this college. “I really like the coach and they have a really good volleyball team.”
Neil had similar reasons for choosing MSSU. “It was one of the colleges I’d been wanting to go to for a while. I thought it was an overall good school after I visited.”
Neil started on the varsity golfing team as a junior due to his great potential. This past year he came in fourth in state competition and obtained the honor of making all-conference and all-city honors.
The parents of both athletes could not be prouder of them for their accomplishments. “I’m excited that she’s signing on to play [in college],” said Mr. Coats, beaming from ear to ear. “I hope she achieves the most that she can in volleyball and academically.”
Conner Neil’s mother, Debra Neil, had similar sentiments about her son.
“I’m very proud of him. [I hope he] goes to college and has a lot of fun with his college experience.”
Neil has held a love for golf since his toddler years. His older brother played golf, and he picked up on the sport at a very young age.
“When he was three years old, he wanted to emulate his older brother with everything he did, and he started off with a little Wal-Mart plastic golf club that he carried around,” Mrs. Neil laughed fondly at the memory. “He played in the house, hitting little plastic golf balls. That’s the earliest memory I have of him playing.”
Mr. Coats noticed his daughter’s knack for volleyball a little later in her life. “Her junior year, she had a pretty good year,” he said. “And we thought at that moment that she might be able to go on and continue playing in college.”
As exciting as it is for the athletes to begin the next leg of their lives, they still hold on to special memories from their high school career.
For Neil, it’s the little, seemingly mundane things that will always hold a special place in his heart. “Hanging out with my friends after matches and just talking and having fun will always be my favorite memory,” he stated.
“[My favorite memory] is when we beat Springdale this year,” said Coats. “We all played as a team and worked really well together, and we won!”
Though the high school memories will be looked back upon with fondness, both senior athletes can honestly admit that they look forward to the opportunity to play in college and pursue a career.
“I want to major in business and then maybe go to law school,” stated Coats. “I’m not sure, but I’m considering it.”
Like Coats, Neil is not set on exactly what he wants to do for a career, though he does have a major in mind. “I’ll probably try to major in business engineering and then take that to a good career.”
Both athletes received the praise of being “overall hard workers” from the teachers and coaches who spoke. Given that praise and their previous accomplishments, coupled with their hard work ethic, both athletes will have no problems in pursuing their majors.
