Rockwood Summit's Eric Beisel Signs Letter of Intent to Attend Mizzou

Eric Beisel, the senior linebacker on the Rockwood Summit football team last fall, signed a letter of intent Wednesday to go to college at Mizzou. The Falcon will become a Tiger

Beisel, who participated in a signing ceremony with 18 other Summit signees, bought a new gold tie for the occasion.

Beisel reportedly had upward of 75 offers from colleges seeking his services for their football teams, but he said he chose Mizzou "because I felt comfortable there."

He also is looking forward to being teammates with some other Mizzou recruits with whom he has become friends, including Chase Abbington, of Fort Zumwalt South, Harnett Gill of Francis Howell, and Alec Abeln, of St. Louis University High School.

"Wait until you see us down there," Beisel said Wednesday.

Other Summit seniors signing commitment letters Wednesday, and the college and sport they are signing for were: Madison Armoneit, Baker College, soccer; Alex Armstrong, Lindenwood University, football; Kristin Brewer, Lindenwood University, soccer; Kacey Bright, Saint Louis University, soccer; Ellie Coop0er, Flotrida State University, softball; James Crockett, Western Arizona University; Alexander Garcia, Davis and Elkins College, swimming and diving; Melissa Gardner, McKendree College, Lacross; A.J. Hantak, Eastern Illinois University, football; Luke Hartmann, Lindenwood University-Belleville; football; Alyssa Jones, University of Tulsa; cross country; Matt Kaysinger, Truman State University, football; Nick Pacino, Jefferson College, soccer; Matthew Robinson, Jefferson College, soccer; Eli Scala, Quincy College, volleyball; Nicole Sparks, Truman State University, soccer; Dylan Steffens, Illinois State University, tennis; and Ben Tesson, Drake University, football.

Families and girlfriends and boyfriends gathered in a big crowd in the Rockwood Summit library to witness the, mostly ceremonial, signings. Dave and Cathy Beisel, of Fenton, watched and took photos and video as their son signed on the dotted line. For the Beisels, it was the end result of a lot of years of sports and Eric's participation on many teams, including lacrosse, baseball and soccer.

Dave Beisel said at one point Eric had to be limited to one team during a season because "he always wanted to play everything."

Beisel's football skills are widely known, but he also had a sports highlight last June, when he had a long base hit in the bottom of the last inning to complete a comeback against Parkway North in the Missouri state championship title game. It was Rockwood Summit's first state baseball championship.

Rockwood Summit Athletic Director Mitch Lefkowitz, introduced the senior athletes and congratulated them on their years of dedication to their sport.

"This is the culmination of years of hard work and effort," Lefkowitz said. "Other than possibly graduation, this is one of the most exciting times for our senior athletes."

For Eric Beisel, he said the excitement level was, indeed, high. "It's more than just excitement though," he said." I just can't wait to get there."

And although he had "a bunch of offers," he said he chose Mizzou because "I really felt comfortable there. I could see myself making a difference there."

Plus, he's looking forward to playing football with the other recruits (Abbington, Abeln and Gill) with whom he has become friends.