Monday, September 13, 2004
Bucknell Class of 2009 Recruit
The Maryland Gazette
September 1, 2004 Wednesday
SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. B1
Spalding guard a Bison
MICHAEL PIPER, Staff Writer
Archbishop Spalding basketball player Justin Castleberry and his parents were driving back from Lewisburg, Pa. last weekend. On the way they decided to make a list of positives and negatives from their visit to Bucknell University. The funny thing is they couldn't come up with any negatives.
"We were talking about Bucknell on the way home and there just wasn't any negatives about the school or the athletics," said Castleberry, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior guard. "That made it an easier decision on Saturday morning."
With that, Castleberry decided to attend Bucknell on a basketball scholarship. The senior, also a strong student, had narrowed his choices to Bucknell, Dartmouth, the Naval Academy, Davidson and Colgate prior to making his final decision. Three of those schools - Bucknell, the Naval Academy and Colgate - all play in the Patriot League, known as a quality basketball conference with the best academic reputation of any league not named the Ivy League.
"Bucknell sold the academics first," Castleberry said. "They had me meet with the head of the computer science department, which is what I want to major in, and he laid out some im- -pressive plans for me. Then we talked about basketball."
On the hardcourt, Castleberry will play the point at Bucknell, though he is capable of playing both guard positions. Castleberry could have strung out the recruiting process in hopes of drawing the interest of some schools with higher basketball profiles, but that was not his priority.
"I wanted to make a decision and enjoy my senior year," Castleberry said. "That was how we handled things. We were proactive this summer in finding out who was interested and going from there. Plus, I'm Bucknell's top recruit and I'd rather be somewhere where they wanted me, not where two or three other recruits didn't work out, so I was next on the list."
Spalding coach Mike Glick was thrilled with his point guard's decision.
"I think it's fantastic," Glick said. "Bucknell has a lot to offer with its academics and in terms of its basketball program. (Bucknell head) coach (Pat) Flannery has been there 10 years, so there is stability at the head coaching position, which is something Justin wanted."
Lewisburg is a 3-hour drive and it plays in the area against Navy and American University every year. @ 2:33 PM
The Maryland Gazette
September 1, 2004 Wednesday
SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. B1
Spalding guard a Bison
MICHAEL PIPER, Staff Writer
Archbishop Spalding basketball player Justin Castleberry and his parents were driving back from Lewisburg, Pa. last weekend. On the way they decided to make a list of positives and negatives from their visit to Bucknell University. The funny thing is they couldn't come up with any negatives.
"We were talking about Bucknell on the way home and there just wasn't any negatives about the school or the athletics," said Castleberry, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior guard. "That made it an easier decision on Saturday morning."
With that, Castleberry decided to attend Bucknell on a basketball scholarship. The senior, also a strong student, had narrowed his choices to Bucknell, Dartmouth, the Naval Academy, Davidson and Colgate prior to making his final decision. Three of those schools - Bucknell, the Naval Academy and Colgate - all play in the Patriot League, known as a quality basketball conference with the best academic reputation of any league not named the Ivy League.
"Bucknell sold the academics first," Castleberry said. "They had me meet with the head of the computer science department, which is what I want to major in, and he laid out some im- -pressive plans for me. Then we talked about basketball."
On the hardcourt, Castleberry will play the point at Bucknell, though he is capable of playing both guard positions. Castleberry could have strung out the recruiting process in hopes of drawing the interest of some schools with higher basketball profiles, but that was not his priority.
"I wanted to make a decision and enjoy my senior year," Castleberry said. "That was how we handled things. We were proactive this summer in finding out who was interested and going from there. Plus, I'm Bucknell's top recruit and I'd rather be somewhere where they wanted me, not where two or three other recruits didn't work out, so I was next on the list."
Spalding coach Mike Glick was thrilled with his point guard's decision.
"I think it's fantastic," Glick said. "Bucknell has a lot to offer with its academics and in terms of its basketball program. (Bucknell head) coach (Pat) Flannery has been there 10 years, so there is stability at the head coaching position, which is something Justin wanted."
Lewisburg is a 3-hour drive and it plays in the area against Navy and American University every year. @ 2:33 PM
