Clarksville Senior Sam Hoodjer announced his commitment on Friday to continue his academic and basketball career at Wartburg College starting this Fall.
Hoodjer on sharing the announcement with family and friends, and the draw to join the Knights.
“It was great. I’m thankful for all of them. I wouldn’t be here without any of them today. Very grateful and blessed to be able to have the opportunity to play super close. I have always liked that, I’m a homebody. That made it super easy, being around Wartburg and kind of already knowing how good of a college it is,” says Hoodjer. “Coach Leal was able to turn that program around in just one year, really made the decision that easy. I think Coach Leal will have a great plan for me. I have faith in him that he will continue to let me grow basketball wise.”
Hoodjer was faced with some adversity before taking the court this winter, after being sidelined with illness for the final three games of the football season. He worked hard in recovery to get back to game ready shape, and did so in time for the start of basketball, playing in all 23 games.
Hoodjer in his senior year achieved 1,000 career points (1,039) and set five new school records including points in game (48), points in a season (513), three’s made in a season (75), three’s made in a career (163) and blocks in a season (60).
Hoodjer on what he learned in his final season and how he hopes he inspired future Indians.
“On the court and off the court, being a good leader. Making sure that I gotta go out there and play my hardest, because I know there’s a lot of younger players that are looking up to me. Starting that new kind of culture, playing hard 24-7. Having people be able to look up to me and want to be able to grow up, do sports and continue to play a lot of sports throughout their high school experience. It is a small school, we need lots of bodies out, being the best they can be at every single sport.”
Hoodjer as four sport athlete also competed in track and field and baseball.
Wartburg men’s basketball went 16-11 under first year Head Coach Sam Leal before bowing out in the semifinal round of American Rivers Conference Tournament.
Full Interview with Sam Hoodjer:
