Vernon Hills High varsity baseball player commits to a college team

In a formal signing ceremony, Vernon Hills High School Class of 2023 varsity student athlete Will Schart committed to play baseball at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Schart's commitment to play NCAA Division III baseball at Carroll University came as the VHHS Cougars prepared to defend their 2022 Illinois High School Association's Central Suburban League Regional Championship title.

Schart, an active member of VHHS's National Honor Society and Student Leadership Program, has accepted a five-year academic scholarship to enroll in an accelerated Master of Science program to study Athletic Training at Carroll University.

Schart was the first VHHS Class of 2023 varsity baseball player to commit to playing collegiate baseball.

Active in youth baseball programs since he was 5 years old, Schart has committed to play middle infield (shortstop and second base) for the Carroll University Pioneers, an NCAA Division III institution.

Schart previously played elite travel baseball for Slammers Illinois, with training facilities in Lake Forest. He was also active in Libertyville Youth Baseball and the Libertyville Little League, where he was a right-handed pitcher and middle infielder.

Schart was actively recruited by Carroll University after seeing him perform on-field at a national baseball tournament in Indianapolis earlier this year.

In the spring and summer 2022 seasons, Schart had a .911 fielding percentage; and a combined on base plus slugging percentage of .550, with six stolen bases, seven runs batted in, and 22 runs scored.

Schart's offensive and defensive skills helped the VHHS Cougars win the Illinois High School Association's Central Suburban League Regional Championship. He looks forward to another year of high school varsity baseball next spring.

During the signing event, surrounded by his family, coaches, teachers and friends, Schart said he is excited to pursue his academic and athletic passions at Carroll University. Schart thanked all of his previous, current and future coaches for helping to prepare him to continue his academic and sport careers.

"Carroll University's mission aligns with my desire to discover, develop, and dedicate myself to achieving my full potential and helping the community," Schart said.

Commenting on the university's athletic program, Schart said, "The Carroll University Pioneers compete in one of the most premier Division III conferences in the country, and believe I can help the team achieve its goals - on and off the field."

Schart, son of Lance and Laura Schart, lives in Libertyville.

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