ScoutU’s Cook commits to Indiana Southeast
2019 softball prospect from Kentucky fulfills dream to play in college after enrolling with ScoutU
October 24, 2018
By ScoutU staff
When ScoutU 2019 softball prospect Sami Cook stepped foot on the campus of Indiana University Southeast for a workout, she felt at home. Now, she will call IUS home for her college career after recently committing to the NAIA school in New Albany, Ind.
“Coach (Joe) Witten and the softball team made me feel very welcomed the day I went and worked out with them,” said Cook, a Jeffersontown (Ky.) High School student and KC Freedom club player. “Additionally, the campus was beautiful, not too big but also not too small. I also liked the fact it was close to home.
“I am very excited to play softball in college as it has been my dream since I changed from baseball to softball when I turned 13. I am looking forward to play at the next level and show my love and passion for the game.”
Cook, who is a 5-foot-1, 125-pound SS/2B/OF, is a four-time varsity letter winner, a 2017 Pre-Season Under Armour All-American and 1st-Team All-Region as a junior. She has a very good arm (61 mph overhand) and good speed (2.89 home to first).
Despite being an elite talent, Cook was not being recruited much until she became a ScoutU prospect under Southeast Head Scout Scott Woodcock of Chattanooga, Tenn., in mid-August. Only about 2 months later, she committed to Indiana Southeast.
“Sami is a legitimate prospect that simply went overlooked, because she didn’t know how to navigate the process,” said Woodcock, who also is an assistant softball coach at Hiwassee College. “She has exemplary skills and all of the intangibles that any coach looks for. With that, I built her plan and once I put her information out to college coaches and had the necessary discussions about Sami’s talent and character, the interest immediately started coming.
“Sami had offers from several programs and was invited to visit many more programs outside of her bubble to states such as Vermont, Oregon, and Texas, but I believe she immediately felt at home at IUS.”
Cook said colleges at all levels showed interest in her and about 12 called her.
“Scott helped get in contact with colleges and schools that I was interested in and also introduced me to schools that I had not thought about,” said Cook, who plans on majoring in criminal justice or criminology. “Scott has so many connections and ScoutU has such an excellent reputation that he was able to introduce me to colleges and give them an honest opinion on what kind of player I am.”
Woodcock, who has helped over 300 athletes go on to play in college in over 25 states as a personal recruiting coordinator and coach, said when he first met with Cook and her family, she seemed defeated and frustrated that she may have missed her opportunity to play in college.
“I watched her workout and she was very hard on herself, and I remember telling her that sometimes you have to pat yourself on the back for the things you do well and just forget about the rest,” Woodcock said. “I’ve said that a thousand times to various players over the years and had no idea it had any impact on anyone of them. But the moment I said it to Sami, I saw this sense of relief come over her as if she knew I believed in her and could really help her and the rest is all history. Sami did exactly what I told her to do and she communicated well with me, which is very important.”