By Dominic Daley, Katie Limberg, Madison McClellan, Vinny Ramundo, and Ellie White
On Feb. 6, senior athletes Nate Chambers, Bryce Kellerman, Michael Schaeper, Maggie Schoolfield, and Chris Walter signed National Letters of Intent to play their respective sports at the college level starting with the 2019-2020 school year. Three of the five will be attending Mt. St. Joseph University: Chambers, soccer; Schoolfield, basketball; and Walter, football. Kellerman will be continuing his basketball career at Marietta College, and Schaeper will be playing lacrosse at Hanover College. McNick will hold its final NCAA Signing Day of the year April 17.
Nate Chambers
Nate Chambers, who committed to playing soccer at Mount St. Joseph University in Delhi, was a goalkeeper in the soccer program for three years at McNicholas. He was a swing player sophomore year and earned the varsity starting spot junior year before going on to help lead his team to a regional final appearance in his senior season.
Chamber’s father, Andy said, “I was excited when he came back after stepping away in fifth grade to come back as a sophomore… and for him and the team to do as well as they did this year, it was great.”
“He’s following in his dad’s footsteps playing college soccer,” said Kim, his mother.
“I came back my sophomore year and have been playing since then and that’s probably the best decision I’ve made,” Chambers said.
“Before I visited, I was pretty set on UC and not playing but then I visited Mt. St. Joe, and I met Coach Rudy… the environment that he wants to create really sold it for me… I love the campus.” Chambers plans on majoring in athletic training and going back for further education to become a physician’s assistant.
He looks forward to being a part of another brotherhood at MSJ like he had at McNick playing soccer.
Bryce Kellerman
Kellerman will attend Marietta College, located in the Ohio city of the same name, starting in the fall of 2019 to continue his basketball career. He started playing basketball in first grade, and was on McNick’s varsity team for three years. Kellerman said that he is “looking forward to improving [himself] in college and playing with new teammates.”
Looking back at his time spent playing McNick Basketball, Kellerman found that his high school career has impacted his abilities on the court. “McNick has helped me to become a stronger athlete,” Kellerman said. “I play more unselfish and with harder defense because of McNicholas basketball.”
Kellerman is planning to major in mechanical engineering.
Michael Schaeper
Schaeper will attend Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, starting in fall of 2019 to further his career in lacrosse. He earned Most Improved Player during his sophomore year at McNick.
Schaeper has been interested in lacrosse ever since second grade when he quit baseball. He began his lacrosse career in fourth grade, and since then he has established himself as an attackman/FOGO (“face-off, get-off”). Crediting his parents and coaches for help in his journey, Schaeper said, “I had the experience of having some college level coaches that helped me prepare for college lacrosse.” Schaeper is excited about the transition to college and meeting new people. He feels that joining a team is a great way to meet new people, and has already made connections with future teammates.
Schaeper received a couple other offers, but picked Hanover for its proximity and academics. He will be majoring in business administration. Schaeper’s mother, Melissa, expressed how proud she is saying, “[I’m] very [proud], because not only did he get recognized for athletics, but also academics.”
Maggie Schoolfield
Maggie Schoolfield has committed to Mount St. Joseph University to play basketball. Schoolfield is a 4-year varsity player and received Best Defensive Player her junior year.
“I became interested in 4th grade at the age of 10 to play basketball,” Schoolfield said. Schoolfield will continue playing the same position, shooting guard and forward, at Mount St. Joseph University and will begin conditioning with the team after she graduates this year. “This has been my dream since I was a little girl. I’ve always been passionate about this sport,” Schoolfield said.
Michelle, Schoolfield’s mother, shared how she is proud of her thinking of her future and going after her dreams. She also told her daughter, “Remember education first, sports second. Your degree is what’s going to build your career, not your sports.” Schoolfield received a scholarship for her academics to the school, and will be doing a dual major of Early Childhood Education and Special Education. “I hope in the future to participate in giving my knowledge to those who want it,” Schoolfield shared.
Chris Walter
Walter is the third Rocket from the Feb. 6 signing day who will attend Mount St. Joseph University starting in the fall of 2019. He plans to continue his career as an offensive lineman for the Mount’s football team.
Walter said he started playing football in third grade and wants to continue playing because, “I can’t see myself doing anything else.” His favorite memory at McNick was the first game under the lights this year. He would like to thank Coach Mulvey for all his support over the years along with his teammate Jason Fehr. Walter plans to major in business management while a student athlete at the Mount.
Walter will report to Mt. Joseph this summer when he begins conditioning with the team for the 2019-2020 season.
The McNicholas Milestone 