Streamwood's Schmidt to Central Missouri
Emma Schmidt has had a goal since the day she walked into Streamwood High School to earn a basketball scholarship.
But she also wanted to make sure she chose a college with good academics.
She's getting both.
Schmidt, the Sabres' 5-foot-10 forward and a two-time Daily Herald All-Area selection, recently committed to continue her career and her education at NCAA Division II Central Missouri State.
“I just felt it was the best opportunity for me overall,” said Schmidt, a unanimous all-Upstate Eight Conference player who will enter her senior season with 916 career points.
“The full scholarship is something you can't pass up. It's a good basketball program that I can fit into. And academically I'll be part of the honors program.”
Streamwood coach George Rosner said he was impressed about how Schmidt, who scored a 32 on her ACT and carries a 3.8 GPA, made academics a priority.
“It's academics first with Emma and you don't find a lot of athletes like that,” Rosner said. “I'm real happy for her. She's earned it and it's been a four-year goal of hers. I'm happy that she found what she was looking for and it's done now.”
Schmidt, who said she'll study biology and medical science in the hopes of becoming a physician's assistant, feels she'll fit in well with coach Dave Slifer's system.
“The team is well-rounded. The girls are very friendly and nice,” said Schmidt, the daughter of Bill and Cathy Schmidt. “I watched them practice and their style of basketball is what I like. (Slifer) knows what he wants from his team and he wants to win a national championship.”
The Jennies made their first NCAA appearance since 2006 last season, losing in the first round. They finished 19-12 for the season. CMU plays in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, where they finished second in the conference tournament last season. Slifer is 109-69 in seven years at the school and is just 8 wins shy of 500 for his college coaching career.
Schmidt, who suffered an ACL injury in eighth grade, will be the leader this season of a Streamwood team that finished 14-17 last year and has all of its starters back. She averaged 14.8 points per game and 9.7 rebounds, as well as 16 ppg in UEC play.
“She's our team leader and she leads by example,” Rosner said. “She woks nonstop.”
And above all, Schmidt, a third-team IBCA All-State choice last season, is happy to now be able to focus her attention on the 2010-11 Sabres.
“My mom and I talked a year ago about how nice it would be to have this process over,” she said. “It's a big weight off my shoulders.”