Commitment Profile
Fall Signing Week '11: Becker O'Shaughnessey to Alabama
by
Ali Jones, 11 November 2011
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Becker O'Shaughnessey was born and raised in the South. And now, just as he had planned it, that's where he'll play his college tennis starting next fall.
After a search that came down to four schools -
Alabama,
Georgia,
Georgia Tech and
N.C. State - the five-star recruit from Macon, Georgia, is poised to sign a national letter of intent to play for the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, just four hours from his home.
"I always knew I wanted to stay in the South," said O'Shaughnessey, who turns 18 in January. "I always knew it was probably going to come down to Georgia and Alabama. I went to Alabama [for an official visit] and just loved it."
He's relieved to have made his decision early in his senior year.
"I wanted to get the recruiting over," he said. "It's pretty stressful. My whole time I wanted to get it done in the fall. Now I know where I'm going, and I can just train and play tournaments and be prepared for college."
One of the unforgettable moments of the heady trip that sold O'Shaughnessey on Alabama was the September 24 football showdown between the Crimson Tide and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Under a blue sky and brilliant sunshine, the big Georgian went down on the field and soaked up the electric atmosphere in Bryant-Denny Stadium as Alabama rolled to a 38-14 victory over its Southeastern Conference rival.
But that was hardly the only highlight of his Tuscaloosa weekend.
"First thing about it, the coaches - Billy Pate and Bo Hodge - are incredible," he said. "They're awesome guys. They not only know what they're talking about when it comes to tennis. They're good people."
He was similarly impressed by his future teammates.
"I really fit in with the guys on the team," he said. "I liked every single one."
