College athletic scholarships extended to Beechwood athlete by Division I institutions in two separate sports
In the vibrant sports scene of Northern Kentucky, two high school athletes are making waves with their exceptional skills in multiple sports.
Tyler Fryman, a versatile athlete from Beechwood High School, has been turning heads in both baseball and football. After leading his baseball team in batting average, RBI, doubles, home runs, and stolen bases in the last season, Fryman made a verbal commitment with the University of Louisville baseball team in the early spring. However, his football skills have not gone unnoticed either. He received football offers from Notre Dame, Louisville, Miami of Ohio, and Toledo after attending college football camps.
Fryman's dedication to his sports was evident when he missed practice with the Beechwood football team to participate in the Area Code Games, a prestigious showcase for top high school baseball players in Long Beach, California. In the games, Fryman performed admirably, going 2-for-3 with a stolen base and run scored in one game, and 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in another.
Meanwhile, Tommy Sorrell, a 1987 graduate of Newport Central Catholic, is making a name for himself in the world of coaching. After compiling a 247-243 record as the girls coach and becoming the winningest coach in the history of the Bellevue girls program, Sorrell was named boys head coach at Bellevue. He previously coached the Bellevue girls team for 17 seasons.
The sports landscape in Northern Kentucky is not just about individual achievements, though. It's also about the enduring spirit of tradition. The O.W. Davis Field, built in the early 1930s, has been a witness to many memorable moments. Currently, Newport Central Catholic's football team is practicing at this historic stadium while their own athletic complex is being built.
Football is still being played at this iconic venue, with the Bellevue boys basketball team posting a 10-20 record in the last season, winning eight of their last 14 games. Jim Hicks, who resigned as the head coach of the Bellevue boys basketball team, remains the school's athletic director.
In another corner of the sports world, Frank Jacobs, another 1987 graduate of Newport Central Catholic, shone brightly. Jacobs played both football and baseball at Notre Dame, a testament to his versatility. He was a tight end on the football team that won the 1989 national championship and was voted most valuable player on the 1991 baseball team.
As the sports season unfolds, other teams are also undergoing changes. Steve Lickert, head coach of NewCath, appreciates being able to practice at Davis Field as it holds sentimental value for him. Lickert became Dayton's head coach in 2004 and has a 134-112 record in 21 seasons at three schools.
In the realm of basketball coaching changes, other teams with new head coaches next season include Cooper, St. Henry, Ludlow, Notre Dame, Brossart, and Cooper for girls.
While it's uncommon for high school athletes to play multiple sports at the college level, athletes like Fryman and Sorrell are proving that it's not impossible. They join the ranks of legendary multi-sport athletes like Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, and Jim Thorpe, who have excelled in both college and professional sports.
References:
- NCAA.org - Fewer than 7% of high school athletes go on to compete in any collegiate sport.
- SportsReference.com - Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, and Jim Thorpe's multi-sport careers.
- NCAA.org - College athletic programs vary in their openness to multi-sport athletes.
- NCAA.org - Managing multiple sports simultaneously at the college level is quite challenging.
- Tyler Fryman, an athlete from Beechwood High School in Northern Kentucky, has committed to the University of Louisville baseball team, demonstrating his dedication to sports, while also attracting attention with his skills in football.
- In contrast to Fryman, Tommy Sorrell, a former player from Newport Central Catholic, has made a mark in the coaching world, becoming the boys head coach at Bellevue after a successful tenure with the girls team.
- The O.W. Davis Field, a historic stadium in Northern Kentucky, continues to host football games, with the Bellevue boys basketball team recording a 10-20 record in the last season and Jim Hicks serving as both the school's athletic director and former head coach.
- The legacy of multi-sport athletes like Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, and Jim Thorpe is echoed in the achievements of athletes like Fryman and Sorrell, who are proving that it's possible to excel in multiple sports, even at the college level.
