East Hardy senior Brett Tharp signed his national letter of intent to extend his academic and football career at Bridgewater College in Virginia this past Wednesday.
“I’m very blessed to have it. I’m glad I’m going to the next level and being able to play at the next level,” East Hardy senior Brett Tharp remarked.
“I love the sport. I’m blessed to be able to play the sport and I’m glad for the opportunity to play. I’m glad for everybody here, my family and coaches and my girlfriend and her family for supporting me through it.”
Tharp is the all-time leader for receiving yards in a single game, season and career for the Cougars and was the first in school history to receive the Carl Lee Award for defensive back of the year for the state of West Virginia.
During his career as a sophomore and junior, Tharp helped East Hardy reach the Class A state championship.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for Brett. There’s no question that he’s one of the most talented athletes we have ever had here and his talents should flourish at that level,” East Hardy Athletic Director and former football coach Chad Williams explained.
Bridgewater College was founded in 1880 and has a 300-acre campus with over 1,900 students enrolled.
Tharp joins an Eagles Football program that was founded in 1899 and competes at the NCAA Division III level as a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
Bridgewater College Football coach Michael Clark enters his 23rd season at the helm with a career record of 147-96.
Coach Clark believes Tharp will make an impact for the program after adjusting to the collegiate level of play.
“Brett represents a skill player who brings size and length to the field,” Bridgewater College Football coach Michael Clark stated.
“In a game that is about match up this can give us an advantage. Multi sport High School players who have the potential to play multiple positions are recruits people chase. Once he acclimates to the college game where the speed and size of players will change for him we feel he can have a quality impact here.”
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Reviewing the game film sent in by Tharp, spiked the Eagles interest in the recruit.
“I sent my film to them back awhile ago and they got in touch with me and said they were really interested in me and asked me to come for a visit. So I went up for a visit on a Saturday that they had and they talked to me. All the coaches liked me and they knew who I was as soon as I walked in. They loved me. They worked hard and helped me out a lot to get me there, because they really wanted me. Coach Clark really wanted me, he said he would find me a position on the field even though I am a freshman as long as I work hard no matter what,” Tharp noted.
Bridgewater College’s mission statement is to educate the whole person by providing a challenging and supportive learning community that fosters the growth of its students and empowers and motivates them to live educated, intelligent, healthy, purposeful and ethical lives in a global society. The College embraces the core values of integrity, equality, service and community which have been inspired by its history with the Church of the Brethren.
Tharp was impressed by the size of the campus and how much everybody loves each other there.
“It is a really small campus and I love it. Everybody loves each other there and they are close. You can’t go very far without knowing somebody there,” Tharp said.
Tharp is undecided on a major entering Bridgewater College with a 3.8 GPA, but hopes to return to farming after college and possibly become a teacher.
“There are a few [agricultural programs] I can get into, but there’s not too many. Still after school I plan to come back and take over our farm. I’m undecided right now, but I have been looking at them. The last couple days I’ve been looking at what I want to get into. The first semester I just want to take my core classes and do that and decide as I go on. Maybe a teacher, but I’m not sure,” Tharp commented.
Tharp cherished his role as a leader at East Hardy and looks forward to what he can accomplish at Bridgewater College.
“It meant a lot being a leader. Being only a sophomore and junior when we went to the state championship, it meant a lot since the younger kids looked up to me even though I was an underclassman. I did everything I could to get us there. I loved being a Cougar. I wish I could do it another four years, but I have to move on now,” Tharp concluded.
Tharp joins the Eagles where there is an East Hardy connection as alumni Ethan Fansler and Stephen See plus current Cougars assistant football coach Mason Gray played for Bridgewater College.
There are six home games scheduled in Bridgewater, so the local fans can watch Tharp in action during his freshman season.
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