Shannon Mathews Commits to Notre Dame!
"This collegiate scholarship is really the result of the efforts of countless people over many years," said Mathews. "The tennis pros and trainer, Cranbrook Kingswood's school administration, athletic department, and faculty, and finally, my family, friends, coaches and teammates -- all have been tremendous partners in helping me to achieve my goals as a student-athlete."
Mathews has helped guide Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood to a MHSAA Division 3 Girls Tennis State Championship title in 2004 as a freshman, a runner-up finish in 2005, and a third-place finish in 2006. She will defend her No. 1 singles crown one last time this spring. If she wins, she will tie a state record for most consecutive No. 1 singles titles with four. Mathews is the top-rated girls tennis player in Michigan and ranked at No. 15 nationally.
"Shannon is the best high school player I have ever coached," said Cranbrook tennis coach Keith Cullen, who started coaching Mathews at a very young age. "She works harder than any other player around. She is the ultimate student-athlete. She is a straight-A student and leads by her actions on the court. She will be a top player at Notre Dame."
"Shannon Mathews epitomizes what the term student-athlete means," said Cranbrook Athletic Director Jeffrey Vennell. "A superior student in a very challenging academic curriculum is only one dimension of a very talented athlete. Her record -- three No. 1 MHSAA single championships, All-State, recognized by U.S. Tennis for her play and sportsmanship -- is the best, but it the way she competes, and she IS a competitor, is what separates Shannon from other athletes. On task in training or matches, dedicated off the scholastic courts to becoming the best she can be, and a supportive leader as a captain to her teammates are all qualities Shannon exhibits daily. Cranbrook Kingswood is proud of Shannon for what she has and will accomplish and for who she is as a person."
Mathews also visited several top colleges throughout the country, including Yale,the University of California at Berkeley and Northwestern, before selecting Notre Dame.
"When I walked on Notre Dame's campus during my official visit, I knew that this was the right environment for me," said Mathews. "Notre Dame offers the perfect balance between strong academics and solid athletics. After getting to know Coach Louderback, Coach Schmidt, and the girls on the team I knew, Notre Dame was the perfect 'fit'."
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