Since opening its doors in 2019, Green Level has built a culture of athletic excellence that reaches beyond the high school field or court. Green Level’s dedication to strong programs and supportive coaches has helped set the stage for student athletes to continue pursuing their passions at the collegiate level.
From the class of 2025, there were 22 individuals who continued their athletic career, at various universities and numerous sports. 18 committed during the fall, 5 committed during the winter, and the final 4 announced their commitment in the spring. From the men’s basketball team there were two phenomenal graduates, including Isaac Erickson who is now shining at Illinois State, and Izzy Eatman, now playing at The University of South Carolina Beaufort.
Talia Francom stayed local and is playing volleyball at NC State, Ava Marie Callahan continues her gymnastics career at The University of California Los Angeles, and Kelan Moore also stayed local by committing to The University of North Carolina for lacrosse. These are just a few of the incredible athletes who prevailed on their journey.
In order for these athletes to have the opportunity to prolong their athletic journey at the collegiate level, they all had to go through the long process of recruiting. This includes making a film of their highlights from the season, reaching out to coaches, attending camps and playdays, and hours of stress and nonstop communication.
“The process was definitely not an easy one,” said former basketball captain Isaac Erickson, who is now playing at Illinois State. “It took a lot of time and commitment to go through the whole recruiting process, but I knew that I wanted to play in college and maybe further eventually and was willing to put up with it.”
These colleges offer far more than just new teams and new uniforms, they provide an entirely new culture, a new sense of belonging, and a new family for all of these athletes. In stepping onto a collegiate campus, they aren’t simply joining a program, they are entering a new community based on shared goals and mutual support.
“Illinois State has been such an amazing experience already. The whole coaching staff believed in me from the beginning, and that still remains true now that I am here on campus. All of the guys are also really special and mean a lot,” Erickson proclaims.
The journey from high school sports to college athletics is more than talent, it demands work ethic, time management, and dedication. When the younger athletes still at the secondary school level see their former teammates competing in college, it sends a powerful and inspiring message that the path is real and achievable.
While Green Level may still be a relatively new school compared to longer standing institutions, its athletic programs are thriving and building a legacy.
