Three Eagles ink scholarships on National Signing Day
Published 3:00 am Thursday, February 4, 2016
![Messenger Photo/mike hensley The Goshen Eagles had three players sign scholarships on Wednesday afternoon. Players Travis Cumbest, Kendrez White and Azontae Rogers posing with coaches and Kati Thomas and Casey Allen who also signed scholarships during the school year.](https://www.troymessenger.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2016/02/DSC_1026web.jpg)
Messenger Photo/mike hensley
The Goshen Eagles had three players sign scholarships on Wednesday afternoon. Players Travis Cumbest, Kendrez White and Azontae Rogers posing with coaches and Kati Thomas and Casey Allen who also signed scholarships during the school year.
There was no lack of emotions Wednesday as three Goshen Eagle football players signed scholarships as part of National Signing Day.
Kendrez White committed to Shorter University, while Azontae Rogers will be traveling to Itasca Community College in Minnesota and Travis Cumbest will attend Dakota College at Botineau.
“It is a great day,” said Eagles head coach Bart Snyder. “There is a lot of excitement. All the younger athletes got to witness what this day is like. We are all really excited.”
There was no lack of emotions when it came to the three student athletes.
“It’s extremely special,” Cumbest said. “It is something that I have worked at for four years. There is just so much hard work put into it.”
Cumbest will play on the offensive line as well as fullback for the Lumberjacks.
“All this is so hard to describe,” Cumbest said. “It’s an intense feeling. There are people there that played here. I just wanted to play with friends and people that I knew.”
White played all over the field during his time with the Eagles, from quarterback to wide receiver.
“It’s an outstanding feeling,” White said. “ Growing up I always dreamed of playing college football, and now it’s finally coming true. From now until (the fall) I am going to have to work on my speed and getting off the ball.”
White credits Snyder and the rest of the coaching staff with much of his success.
“He has had a major influence on our lives,” White said. “He has been here since we were in the seventh grade, so he has been the only coach we have ever known.”
The atmosphere around campus is what drew the senior to Rome, Georgia.
“It’s a family atmosphere,” White said. “You feel like at home when you’re at Shorter.
Rogers said he couldn’t believe the time had finally come for him to take the next step in his football career.
“It’s a very special moment,” Rogers said. “I have been very blessed with the opportunity to play. Even though I didn’t have a chance to play my senior year, all I can do is thank God and my coaches.”
Rogers’ will travel 19 hours from home to play, and he said he is looking forward to it.
“The coaches are amazing,” Rogers said. “The coaches made me feel like I was at home. They were a lot like the coaches here.”
This was not only a big day for the players who signed, but for all their teammates who were able to watch.
“Work hard and pay attention to detail and it will happen for you,” Cumbest said.
“I would tell them to work hard and stay in the weight room,” White said. “Don’t ever give up on your dreams.”
“Grind every single day,” Rogers said. “Do what you can every day to be the best that you can.