Published: May 07, 2008 02:48 pm            

Joshua senior signs to play in college

JOSHUA — Joshua senior defender Shauni Brown signed a letter of intent to play college soccer at Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier City, La., on Wednesday in the community room at Joshua High School.

Though she will be living out of state for the first time, Brown is looking forward to playing for the Cavaliers.

“They basically helped me make my decision in which college I’m going to,” Brown said of the Cavaliers’ coaches. “They made me feel like I would be at home there, that I’m not just another number.”

Bossier Parish is a two-year school and Brown plans on transferring to Bethel College in Kansas to finish her degree.

She plans on majoring in physical therapy, with a focus on sports physical therapy.

The Lady Owls have had two other seniors, Bethany Bennett and Jonna Sampson, sign letters of intent to play college soccer this season.

“It just gets better and better,” Joshua head girls soccer coach Jeff Brooks said. “Shauni deserves it. Her improvement over the course of the last two years has been dramatic. It hasn’t been magic — she’s worked her tail off. She has a great team outside of school, she works hard and just hates to get beat.

“It’s not like there was any hocus pocus on this,” he added. “She worked her tail off and she’s getting her just rewards. We’re just so happy for her.”

Several of Brown’s teammates and friends were on hand when she autographed the papers that made her decision official.

Now Brown said she can focus on getting ready for the fall.

“It’s a big relief off my shoulders,” Brown said. “I can now concentrate on finishing the year and getting all my stuff together.”

Brooks has coached the 2008 graduating class for the past three years and he’s not looking forward to the day when they won’t be a part of the Lady Owls’ lockerroom.

But Brooks said he’s pleased to see their hard work pay off as they earn an opportunity to play at the next level.

“Their contribution is inestimable,” Brooks said. “You can’t quantify what they brought to the table every day for three years. Personally, I don’t know what it’s like to coach a team without them. They mean a whole lot to me. The way they have learned and bought in to the idea that this can be a great program. They turned this program into what it is. They set a standard that this is how things are now. That kind of work ethic is commonplace now and they’ve done that. It’s been really great to watch over the last three years.”

As she greeted numerous friends and family members present at her signing, the smile never left Brown’s face.

“It feels really good,” Brown said. “I’m really happy to be going to this college and experience new things. Hopefully, it all goes well.”

        

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