By Jeff Odom
Steinbrenner football player Trey Johnson committed to Villanova University Dec. 8, becoming the first in program history to do so for a Division I program.
Johnson, who spent all four years at the school, chose the Wildcats over interest from other programs, including Iowa State, Ball State, Indiana and Bowling Green. He said there was no other choice after taking an official visit to the campus.
“I just liked the environment and the people that were up there,” said Johnson, who finished with 37 tackles and six passes defensed this season. “I got to meet the professors and tutors and realized how important education is. … They want me to be the best person I can be.”
Johnson, who also runs track and was a member of the boys basketball team for three years, said while academic rigor at Villanova is top notch, he was also drawn to the school because of its athletic success.
Outside of football, which plays in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Colonial Athletic Conference, the school’s other programs are members of the Big East Conference. Its men’s basketball program has made the NCAA Tournament in 11 of the past 12 seasons.
“It’s definitely a dream come true,” Johnson said. “It’s always been a dream where I can go somewhere and my parents don’t have to worry about paying for college, and I’ll have a good education. … I’m doing it big, and it’s a blessing.”
Villanova finished the 2012 season 8-4, losing in the first round of the FCS playoffs to Stony Brook.
//Seuzeneau chooses Spring Hill
Steinbrenner volleyball player Madison Seuzeneau has committed to Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala.
The outside hitter, who was a first-team selection on The Laker/Lutz News all-star team the last two years, was a four-year varsity player for the Warriors and helped the team win four district titles and earn its first berth in the regional finals this season.
Spring Hill is an NAIA program playing in the Southern States Athletic Conference. The Badgers volleyball team went undefeated in conference play this season (14-0) and finished with a 30-7 overall record.
