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Brandon Crick to play golf at NCAA I Gonzaga
By JOHN J. MESH
Gazette Sports Editor
It helps to have connections.
And a connection with a former Nebraska high school golfer helped McCook senior Brandon Crick land an NCAA Division I scholarship with the Gonzaga University men's golf program.
Crick signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play golf at Gonzaga, a school best known for a men's basketball program that has become a fixture in the NCAA Tournament.
Crick will join Gering High School alum Bowdy Ehler on the Zags' golf squad next year. Gonzaga, a Catholic university, is a member of the West Athletic Conference.
"He put in a word with the coach," said Crick about his connection with Ehler. "The coach and I have kept in touch since."
Crick said he had always wanted to play Division I golf and was elated to get the opportunity.
"It was one of my goals - something I hoped for," Crick said. "I didn't know it was coming through."
Some of Crick's notable accomplishments include being a two-time all-state selection with second- and third-place finishes at the Nebraska Class B state boys golf tournament.
During the spring of 2005, Crick's average was 74. He medaled in six meets and placed second in two meets.
Crick recorded quarterfinal and runnerup finishes in Nebraska Junior Match Play competition and placed third at the Nebraska Junior Amateur.
Crick has been selected for the Nebraska Junior Golf Association's North-South Cup in three consecutive years.
Crick said that that playing on a tough course such as Heritage Hills in McCook has its advantages.
"It's always windy here," Crick said. "If you can walk this course, you can walk every course."
Crick is also a letterwinner in basketball and tennis. He placed third in No. 2 singles at the Nebraska state tennis meet in 2004 and fourth in No. 1 singles in 2005.
Crick, who said he will major in business, was excited about other opportunities that Gonzaga presents.
"They have been upgrading everything," he said. "They have a new arena. The student-teacher ratio is super good (about 20 students per class).
"They have a great business school. That's another reason I decided to go."
McCook golf coach Dan Hilton said Crick's talents are what got him the Division I scholarship.
He added that now Crick will be able to concentrate on his senior season, which will take this spring.
"Brandon did it himself," Hilton said. "When he's working at golf, he's getting ready for tournaments. In the summer time, he plays a tournament schedule which is better than the schedule we play in high school.
"In those tournaments in the summer, he plays against the best in the state every week. I couldn't be more happy for Brandon He's got his future set in the next few years.
"He's not thinking about where he's going to sign. It takes the pressure off him.
Brandon puts so much pressure on himself to excel. He will still have a lot of pressure on him."
Crick, the son of Jeff and Beth Crick, said he is looking forward to watching the Gonzaga men's basketball program. The buzz Wednesday at Crick's signing was the team's quadruple overtime victory on Tuesday.
"I will definitely be at those home games," he said.