McKenzie credits ScoutU with college choice
2020 ScoutU softball prospect commits to NAIA Oklahoma Panhandle State University
April 17, 2020
By Jon Feyen
ScoutU
College recruiting shares many similarities with the real world — it’s not always about what you know, but who you know. 2020 ScoutU softball prospect Faith McKenzie found the right people just in time, and that led to her commitment to Oklahoma Panhandle State University, an NAIA program.
“Faith came to me pretty late in the process,” ScoutU’s Scott Woodcock said. “She hadn’t gotten much traction doing things on her own and knew she needed help. Parents wouldn’t take their kid to the auto mechanic if she were sick, and they wouldn’t take their car to the dentist if it broke down. There are people trained and educated in each of those fields, so why would they trust their kid’s recruiting, their future, to anyone else? Faith’s dad, Freddie, said exactly that when he called asking for my help.”
McKenzie had compiled some pretty nice accolades during her junior year at La Feria High School (Texas), including an All-District honor. She relied on a 57 mph fastball and four other pitches to keep hitters off balance.
“I am very excited and blessed to have this opportunity,” McKenzie said. “It has always been a goal of mine to play college softball.”
OPSU is coming off its best season in program history after posting a 30-21 record last year. Woodcock noticed that McKenzie spoke differently about OPSU than she did about other colleges.
“Meeting Coach Kerr and the assistant coaches made me feel very welcome right away,” McKenzie said. “Being able to hang out with the team for the day was not something I expected but made me feel great. The pre-veterinary and agriculture focus at the school, including having an FFA chapter, stood out to me.”
McKenzie ended up with a handful of offers, including one top-20 program. Woodcock knew her pitching ability, along with a GPA over 4.0, would be attractive to many schools.
“Within minutes of posting Faith on Facebook, I had several messages from coaches asking about her,” he said. “I set up a few visits and waited for feedback. The school made an impression on her that she wasn’t about to shake. She knew that’s where she was meant to be. Coach Kerr is a good man and a dear friend that I entrusted my own daughter to play for years ago, so it made perfect sense to me.”
It was McKenzie’s skills on the diamond, along with Woodcock’s coach connections, that led to her finding the perfect school. She can’t wait to gain an education while playing at the next level.
“A huge credit goes to Scott and ScoutU,” McKenzie said. “Without them I believe I would be playing at another college, and I wouldn’t be as happy as I am going to Oklahoma Panhandle State University, playing for Coach Kerr and being an Aggie. Scott knew exactly what my career path was and contacted coaches to fit my education needs, as well as finding the perfect coach and team that I’m really looking forward to playing with.”
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“A huge credit goes to Scott and ScoutU. Without them I believe I would be playing at another college, and I wouldn’t be as happy as I am going to Oklahoma Panhandle State University, playing for Coach Kerr and being an Aggie. Scott knew exactly what my career path was and contacted coaches to fit my education needs, as well as finding the perfect coach and team that I’m really looking forward to playing with.”
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