Off to college they go

CADILLAC - A chance to keep playing is really the only reason they needed.

Five recent Cadillac High School graduates are getting ready to step foot into the world of intercollegiate athletics this fall in basketball and football.

Matt McDonald is headed to Aquinas College where he will be part of the mens' basketball program, while Elijah Keller is off to Olivet College for football, Chazz Masten is off to Hope College for football, Kam Selleck is off to Grand Rapids Community College for football and Tyler Hamilton is off to Alma College for football.

For Keller, it was the attraction of the small campus and some new things.

“I liked the coach a lot and it's a small campus,” he said. “They've got brand new facilities there, too. They've got a new field and a brand new weight room.”

In addition, Olivet has been building some tradition over the past couple of years when it comes to football.

“They haven't been great in football over the years, but they've been up the last couple of years,” Keller said. “I will miss all of the positive attitudes we had this season here, but from what I have seen at Olivet, they have the same type of attitude.”

Keller knows only that he will be an offensive lineman with the Comets and will be prepared to play wherever. Academically, he will be majoring in elementary education.

Hamilton heads to Alma College as a kicker and a chance to get on the field as a true freshman.

“They only have one kicker right now, so I will get a chance to play this year,” he said. “I just liked the atmosphere at Alma a lot more than the other places I visited.”

Hamilton will mainly be doing kickoffs but will also get a chance to work on field goals, too.

The Scots are traditionally toward the top of the MIAA (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) under head coach Jim Cole, who utilizes a wide-open offense. Alma was ranked No. 5 in the nation last year in NCAA Division III offensively.

Hamilton will be majoring in special education.

McDonald, who was also a pretty good football player in Cadillac, is instead going with his indoor sport of basketball at Aquinas College.

“I just like they way they approached me and it's a small campus being in Grand Rapids is cool,” McDonald said. “They have a good basketball program and won their league this past season.”

The Saints are bringing in a very strong recruiting class this season, McDonald said, so things are looking up. The 6-foot McDonald will play the point guard position.

“The only point guard they had last year graduated so I have a chance to play right away,” he said. “They don't have a JV team so Coach (Dave Hammer) wants the freshmen to come in and help the team right away.”

McDonald will be in the business and finance school for four years before heading to law school with the intention of being a sports agent.

Masten is off to Hope College, another member of the MIAA.

“I was really impressed with their coach and their program,” he said. “When we went for the visit, everyone treated me very well and it's a good school academically.”

The Flying Dutch are also usually atop the MIAA each season. Masten heads to Hope as a wide receiver.

Selleck is taking a little bit of a different route as Grand Rapids Community College, a traditionally strong program, was looking for players.

“They were looking for quarterbacks and they have a really good program every year,” he said.

“We had an awesome year here this year and it's so fun to play the game. I just want to keep playing.”

After his two years at GRCC are up, Selleck would jump at a chance to keep playing at a four-year school if the chance presents itself.

Academically, Selleck is pursuing sports medicine.