Clapper signs...
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 3:47 pm
Clapper signs on for BGSU basketball
Standout latest NC athlete to commit to a MAC team
By ROMANDO DIXSON
Sports Writer
NEWARK -- Chris and Cheryl Clapper, both Otterbein graduates, never had much of a chance to push their daughter to play sports for their alma mater.
By the time Sarah Clapper finished junior high, Dad began to think maybe she could do better than Division III athletics.
He thought right.
Clapper, a two-sport standout for Newark Catholic in volleyball and basketball, verbally committed during the summer to play basketball for Division I Bowling Green. She made it official Monday, signing a national letter of intent to play for the Mid-American Conference school.
Clapper is the latest Green Wave athlete to commit to a MAC program. Fellow senior R.L. Eisenbach signed last week with Buffalo to play baseball, and George Biddle, a 2003 graduate, pitches for Eastern Michigan.
"I'm proud to be among those athletes," she said. "It says a lot for our school."
Clapper has represented Newark Catholic well, garnering all-Ohio honors in volleyball and basketball. She had drawn interest to play both sports at the next level, but chose basketball at Bowling Green over Ohio and Miami.
"I knew that was where I wanted to go since my verbal, but now it's official," she said. "I don't have to have that in the back of my mind and can just focus on school, and now my senior basketball season."
Clapper delayed her signing last week in order to concentrate on volleyball, as the team made the state title game.
Clapper's parents sat on either side of her Monday, as she signed the binding papers on a table draped by the Bowling Green logo. Younger sister Amy recorded it, as NC basketball coach Matt Schmelzer and athletic director Bill Franks watched.
"It was exciting to realize that your child can play Division I athletics, and in a good conference," said Chris Clapper, also an assistant for the NC girls basketball team.
Clapper said she liked Bowling Green's proximity to home (about a three-hour drive), the Falcons' coaching staff and their recent success. They are the defending regular season and tournament champions of the MAC.
Clapper said her parents have been supportive through the entire process.
"My dad's always been my coach and my mom's always been my personal cheerleader," Clapper said. "They've always supported me and pushed me to go to the next level and helped me enjoy it."
Standout latest NC athlete to commit to a MAC team
By ROMANDO DIXSON
Sports Writer
NEWARK -- Chris and Cheryl Clapper, both Otterbein graduates, never had much of a chance to push their daughter to play sports for their alma mater.
By the time Sarah Clapper finished junior high, Dad began to think maybe she could do better than Division III athletics.
He thought right.
Clapper, a two-sport standout for Newark Catholic in volleyball and basketball, verbally committed during the summer to play basketball for Division I Bowling Green. She made it official Monday, signing a national letter of intent to play for the Mid-American Conference school.
Clapper is the latest Green Wave athlete to commit to a MAC program. Fellow senior R.L. Eisenbach signed last week with Buffalo to play baseball, and George Biddle, a 2003 graduate, pitches for Eastern Michigan.
"I'm proud to be among those athletes," she said. "It says a lot for our school."
Clapper has represented Newark Catholic well, garnering all-Ohio honors in volleyball and basketball. She had drawn interest to play both sports at the next level, but chose basketball at Bowling Green over Ohio and Miami.
"I knew that was where I wanted to go since my verbal, but now it's official," she said. "I don't have to have that in the back of my mind and can just focus on school, and now my senior basketball season."
Clapper delayed her signing last week in order to concentrate on volleyball, as the team made the state title game.
Clapper's parents sat on either side of her Monday, as she signed the binding papers on a table draped by the Bowling Green logo. Younger sister Amy recorded it, as NC basketball coach Matt Schmelzer and athletic director Bill Franks watched.
"It was exciting to realize that your child can play Division I athletics, and in a good conference," said Chris Clapper, also an assistant for the NC girls basketball team.
Clapper said she liked Bowling Green's proximity to home (about a three-hour drive), the Falcons' coaching staff and their recent success. They are the defending regular season and tournament champions of the MAC.
Clapper said her parents have been supportive through the entire process.
"My dad's always been my coach and my mom's always been my personal cheerleader," Clapper said. "They've always supported me and pushed me to go to the next level and helped me enjoy it."
