Edna Cowboys Cornell Norman, Phoenix Robertson and Keegan Hicks signed their letters of intents last week at a signing ceremony at the Edna Dome Gym.
Cornell signed to play football at Texas Wesleyan, Robertson to play football at Sul Ross, and Hicks to run track at the University of Houston.
“Texas Wesleyan gave me an opportunity that not a lot of other college coaches did,” Cornell explained. “The atmosphere was great. They are highly focused on academics which is something I strive for.” Norman will study Psychology at Texas Wesleyan.
Robertson made his choice based on several factors.
“Sul Ross was the best, most outstanding offer I had and it really fit well with the Sustainable Ag Management degree I am going to go into,” Robertson explained. “It is a well-known school for that, so it sets me up successfully there and Sul Ross has been a really interesting school for me because my brother went to West Texas A&M and they play each other and are rivals.”
Hicks got his name on the radar all over the state when he set the National mark at the Goliad track meet. After the meet, Hicks made his choice.
“I can’t wait to run with coach Lewis and run the workouts those guys are doing and to see what my future holds in track,” Hicks said. Coach Lewis is a nine time olympic gold winner and U of H alum. Hicks isn’t sure what his major will be yet.
Cowboy Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Jamie Dixon explained what the players meant to him.
“These are a great group of guys,” Dixon explained. “Me? I was happy to be on the same sideline as them finally, and not looking across the field. They’ve had a lot of success here at Edna and you couldn’t ask for three better young men.
“To start, Phoenix is a true Cowboys, He is a tough kid, played through a little bit of injury for us, switched positions in football, and did whatever he could do to help the team win.”
Hicks had offers for football and track, but chose track.
“Keegan had a chance to go play football and run track. Probably the fastest guy I’ve ever coached. At the Goliad track meet at the beginning of the year, he ran the 100 meter dash, and we haven’t even left the track meet and the phones are already ringing, asking if that is legit time. The Goliad coaches said ‘coach, everyone is asking us about this time. A little later you have Carl Lewis saying ‘Please come to Houston.’ He was patient, he didn’t jump the gun.
In football, every time you gave him the ball he had a chance to go score.
“Cornell is a great young man. I can’t say enough things about Norman. I was talking to another coach the other day and I said ‘that young man is going to be a great husband, father… everything one day. He is going to do great things. He has a chance to start as a freshman. He is humble. He is an exceptional young man in the classroom. He will do great things.
Norman has an opportunity to get playing time as a freshman.
“I’m looking to start off as a rotational player, and that did factor into my choice,” Norman explained. “Offensive tackle. Left or right side…wherever the coach needs me to play.”
Norman had an advantage as he was already familiar with the Texas Wesleyan coaching staff.
“I visited the campus and I really liked it. I like how big everything is at Texas Wesleyan. I had gone to a Texas Wesleyan Camp sophomore year.”
Robertson also has an opportunity for early playing time.
“Freshman year, they said making special teams is what I can expect but they said if I can make this other position, an outside linebacker, they said they would be proud of me for that but said they expect special teams.”
Hicks still has a high school goal to accomplish before leaving for college as he is still running track for the Cowboys.
“We had some bumps in the road with injuries but we keep fighting every day, doing what we need to do so we should be good,” Hicks said.
