The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

INTERNATIONAL Elite Sports Academy has become known for producing young talent to the professional baseball level but has also recognised several prospective student-athletes on their path to collegiate baseball this fall.

I-Elite recently extended its reach into the academic recruitment field and highlighted Mateo Ferguson (Dyersburg State Community College) and Tyler Kemp (Prince George Community College).

I-Elite directors Geron Sands and Albert Cartwright partnered with certified athletic and academic college recruiter Kim Sweeting to form I-Recruit.

"It brings us great pleasure to be able to send these guys off to play at the next level. We are here to help families through the process of acquiring these scholarships, which is very important. It is not just collegiate players but we have also had a lot of people contact us from high schools in the US," Sweeting said.

"We are super proud that these kids have the opportunity to get scholarships and the opportunity to represent themselves and the Bahamas through baseball."

Calvin Maduro, Baltimore Orioles' international scout and pitching coach, was on hand to sign Dax Stubbs to his organisation but applauded the prospective collegiate athletes.

"I felt really good seeing the guys come up that are going to college. I had a chance with my scholarship but never got to use it because I went to the big leagues," Maduro said.

"I scouted [Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons], we didn't agree on money for the deal and he went on to college but he still ended up in the majors and continues to have a pretty good career. You don't have to sign a pro contract at 16-17 years old, he went to college and still got to the big leagues. Work hard wherever you are, God will see that and give you the path you need."

While the group has consistently guided their I-Elite athletes to minor league contracts in recent years, they came to see the need for athletes to have the opportunity to also be able to attend the college or universities of their choice.

I Recruit has reportedly partnered with several institutions in the United States and has a network of over 1,300 colleges and universities.

"We use these relationships to personally communicate with the college coaches and get our I-Elite prospects identified and actively recruited. We know what college coaches are specifically looking for in upcoming recruiting classes," the organisation said in a press release.

"This knowledge allows us to put our prospects in front of colleges that are realistic for each prospect. We are hands on. We are at events and our careers are based on the trust and relationships that we have developed with college and universities while being completely honest with everyone involved in the process."

"With our unique, hands-on process, we recruit and guide athletes, students and their families through each step of the process while maximising their exposure to colleges, making the process simple and helping our Bahamian athletes and students get the best opportunity in their education and sport."