Steidl Makes his Pick

New England Recruiting Report | Sunday, September 9th, 2012

It happens every summer.  A prospect comes into the evaluation period with limited recruitment and a month later, walks away with a handful of offers.  

This summer that breakout player was Kurt Steidl.  The six-foot-six swingman from Ridgefield High School had only division II offers when the month of July began, but by the time his Connecticut Basketball Club team had wrapped up their last tournament in Orlando he had picked up offers from schools in the CAA, America East, Ivy, and Patriot Leagues.

His recruitment increased gradually and consistently throughout the month.  He had a lot of coaches intrigued following a quality showing at the Hall of Fame National Invitational but didn’t earn his first division I offers until the second week with starring performances at the Hoop Group Summer Classic and Jam Fest.  It was more of the same a week later, as he played to rave reviews at AAU Nationals.  

Five weeks later and Steidl had a full slate of official visits scheduled, but as it turned out his first would be his last.  

Steidl made a verbal commitment to the University of Vermont on Monday, just one day after wrapping up his official visit.    

“I just thought it was a good fit,” Steidl told the New England Recruiting Report.  “The team was really tight knit and kind of reminded me of how my high school team is.  The coaches are really good and I was very impressed with the business school.”  

For Steidl, it was that combination of factors – both academic as well as athletic – that played into his decision as he was looking for a good education, the opportunity to play right away, as well as play for a winning team.
 
“They liked my versatility and said I could play the two, three or four [positions] for them,” he said.  “They said I can come in right away, compete for playing time and help them continue the success they’ve been having for the last couple of years.”

And for a guy who didn't have his first division I scholarship offer until six weeks ago, that turned out to be more than he was willing to pass up.