Presented with the chance to fulfill her Division I dreams, Grazulis passed in favor of a Division II school she believes can help her reach all her academic and athletic goals.
On Thursday, surrounded by friends, coaches, teammates and family at a ceremony in the Colony High School library, Grazulis signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at the Colorado School of Mines.
 Submitted photo Surrounded by her family, Colony senior Allie Grazulis, center, signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Colorado School of Mines on Thursday. Grazulis had the opportunity to play Division I basketball, but opted for the Division II program due to the Colorado school'€™s academic programs. |
Grazulis turned down a full-ride scholarship to attend Division I Utah Valley University, and instead accepted a substantial scholarship package to attend the prestigious Colorado school.
Grazulis said she currently has about 80 percent of the total costs taken care of right now and there are opportunities for more scholarships. A year at the Golden, Colo., university, Grazulis said, runs about $34,000.
Thrilled with Colorado School of Mines’ academics, Grazulis is also excited about her opportunity on the court.
She will enter the program at the small forward position and have a chance to contribute right away.
“I’m not going to redshirt. She (the coach) definitely sees me coming in and playing as a freshman,” Grazulis said, referring to head coach Paula Krueger.
Grazulis said she already has a good relationship with Krueger, the school’s sixth-year head coach who has had success as both a player and a coach. As a player, Krueger helped lead Northern State to an NAIA national title.
“I really like the coach,” Grazulis said. “She seems really intense, but a really nice person. I like the way she coaches and can see myself playing for her.”
Krueger’s Orediggers finished 13-16 overall and 8-11 in what is known as a very competitive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Grazulis considered Colorado School of Mines in addition to a handful of Division I programs. She looked at schools such as San Diego, Long Beach State and California State-Fullerton early in the recruiting process, but as the process evolved Division I Utah Valley and Division II Colorado School of Mines became her top two choices.
Grazulis made a trip Orem, Utah, to spend time on the Utah Valley campus, and was impressed with her experience.
“I really liked it,” Grazulis said. “I felt like I fit in with all the girls. There was really good opportunity for me in basketball there.”
Utah Valley — which finished 18-12 last season and beat teams such as Seton Hall, Ohio and Gonzaga — would have given Grazulis the chance to play against some of the top basketball schools in the nation. But when it came to academics, Grazulis felt Utah Valley couldn’t compete with what Colorado School of Mines had to offer.
Finally, Grazulis had to call the Utah Valley coaching staff to pass on the offer.
“It was really tough,” Grazulis said. “I really liked the Utah Valley coach and she was very supportive of my decision.”
Grazulis, a 5-foot-11 wing, will embark on her fourth year as a starter when the Knights take the court in December. Last season, Grazulis helped lead the Knights to the 2008 4A state title.
She’s also a member of the Alaska Youth Basketball Association’s Girls High School Select team and is currently ranked 40th in the nation at her position, according to the latest ESPN girls high school rankings.
Grazulis has stood out in a number of sports while at CHS. Earlier this year, she was named the most valuable player of the Northern Lights Conference after leading the Knights to an NLC volleyball title.
She’s also placed in the ASAA state track and field championships.
In the classroom, Grazulis holds a 4.0 grade point average. She’s a member of the National Honor Society and the president of Colony’s senior class.
Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.
Comments
7 comment(s)KDub wrote on Dec 5, 2008 11:10 PM:
Fishers Canada wrote on Dec 3, 2008 7:34 PM:
We knew you wou;ld be a star when the girls beat the guys on your final shot in the family re-union grudge match in Nestor falls Ontario Canada.
Your Canada Fans
The Fishers
Winnipeg Canada "
Old Grazu neighbor wrote on Nov 29, 2008 3:39 PM:
The Seamans "
military vet Doug wrote on Nov 24, 2008 8:04 AM:
CSM Alum wrote on Nov 24, 2008 6:58 AM:
Congratulations. "
Family - Cousin wrote on Nov 24, 2008 3:18 AM:
Grazu-fan wrote on Nov 23, 2008 2:56 PM: