On Wednesday, Yorktown High School senior Joe Gasser signed a national letter of intent to play for the Ball State University men's golf team next fall.
"I've always been a Ball State watcher with the golf team," Gasser said. "I know some players on the team and the university is basically in my backyard. Ball State's home course plays at my high school's home course."
When Gasser was offered to play for the golf team, he said he knew Ball State was the right choice.
"Ball State was basically the only division one school that recruited me, but I really like Coach Fleck and know Ball State really well and thought it would be a good fit," Gasser said.
Head coach Mike Fleck said he has paid attention to Gasser's performance since his junior year.
"We had the opportunity to establish a relationship early on and I have known Joe for a few years," Fleck said. "I have followed him for a while and have been checking his progress in the local newspapers."
Because Ball State will graduate four seniors in May, the Cardinals will only have two seniors on its roster next season. Gasser said he realizes the opportunities he could have to contribute right away.
"I'd like to play in the top five for tournaments, but there are some great golfers there now," Gasser said. "The team is graduating a lot of seniors and retuning one veteran. It makes it a good fit for me and an opportunity to play in many tournaments."
Fleck said he is excited to have a local golfer attend Ball State, but said he is more excited to have the talent and potential Gasser has.
"Joe comes from a very successful golf program," Fleck said. "But the interesting thing about Joe is that I recruited him not because he is a local kid from Yorktown, but because he has the potential of a division one prospect that can come in and contribute right away."
Austin Steele, who graduated from Ball State in 2006, also attended Yorktown.
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