Sports
Boone signs letter of intent to play for Lubbock Christian
Wednesday, 13 March 2013 by Tony Adams
The Lady Tigers’ Jamie Boone signs her letter of intent to play soccer at Lubbock Christian.In front of approximately 300 friends and family members at Belton High School last Friday, Belton Lady Tigers soccer standout Jamie Boone declared and signed her letter of intent to play soccer for the Alex Denning's Lubbock Christian University Lady Chapparals soccer team.
Boone, in the midst of a outstanding season scoring 23 goals for the Lady Tigers, which leads District 8-5A. The decision to head for Lubbock was not a hard one for the Belton senior.
"I after I met the coaches I was certainly interested," said Boone. "After that, I made the trip to the campus, that's where I wanted to be. I always thought it was so cliché to say that where I was supposed to be, but I really felt that way. Everyone on campus was very nice and welcoming. The coaches understood the way I like to play and I know I will be a good fit there next season."
"She was at Abilene at a camp and the coaches were there," said Christi King, Boone's mother. "She had a concussion and visited her at the hospital. We were back at the camp the next day and Jamie could not participate in the camp because of the concussion and the Lubbock coach came up there and started talking to her. He had made her the offer right there at the camp. On the drive home, we had the big old long discussion."
Boone also understood the impact of sharing the moment with her Belton teammates, Belton coach Wendi Knight and Mike Seiler, Boone's select coach.
"I haven't been able to play a full four years with everyone and it was important that I share the moment with them," Boone said. "We're finally getting our runs together and it's really nice.
Boone's contributed much of her soccer successes to her select coach, Mike Siler. Siler has been the coach of many successful teams and programs in the Central Texas-area.
"I made me the player I am today," said Boone. "If I wouldn't have played selects for coach Siler, no telling where my game would be at and have no shot at playing college soccer. The earlier you start, the better. After all these years, it's finally paying off."
King full well knows the sacrifices that her daughter endured and knows it takes a great deal of family sacrifice as well.
"She's been doing this since she was five years old, for 13 years," said King. "She's given up a lot of sleepovers and time hanging out with friends. We've done a lot of homework by flashlight and driven all over the state of Texas. I can't really express how grateful I am that she's being recognized for this now."
"With all the levels Jamie has played at, it has really made her better," continued King. "It has not only made her a better soccer player, but a better person with all of the great players she has competed with and against."
Coach Knight also has benefited from Boone's field generalship on the varsity squad, seeing the day in and day out dedication. Not only on the pitch but in the classroom as well.
"I think she's a fantastic player and she will accomplish big thing's there at LCU," said coach Knight. "She done such a key and integral part of our team and offense. We've changed it up a lot and she is distributing the ball quite a bit. She has made such a difference on the team. She generates the offense so far."
"Between her work ethic and how verbal she is with her team," continued Knight. "And letting them know about doing what they need to do and her motivating the team is raises the bar and takes us to new heights. Just the hard work she puts in and the effort will certainly benefit LCU as well."
