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. . . continued from page 6
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Luke didn't get much of a break after graduating from high school last spring. As soon as school was out he began working in his hometown of Rochester, IN, at Hiatt Construction Company.
In fact, he was part of the crew that rebuilt his grandparent's house. Unfortunately, they lost their home in a fire this summer.
When he was not doing construction work, he was working for his dad on their huge 8,000 acre farm. Around both jobs, he still managed to find some time for the lake.
Luke also enjoyed watching his brother race four-wheelers, and quite successfully, we might add. His brother finished fifth nationally in his class this summer.
Luke's dad farms the 8,000 acres, while his mom, he says, "takes care of us kids and helps us get through life, basically."
Luke began learning about Huntington University after they started recruiting him. Coach Platt talked him into a visit and he came to campus where he liked what he saw. About a month later, he returned and stayed the night; the next morning he was committed to Huntington and formally signed up for the team a few days later.
Luke says he is looking forward to the college basketball experience, especially as part of such a talented team.
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Neil Stoffel didn't need to look very far to find what he wanted in a college. Raised in Huntington, Neil was familiar with the Foresters' basketball program and found his college decision to be quite easy. After graduating from Huntington North, Neil spent the summer months landscaping, hanging out with his friends, and working on basketball skills in some tournaments.
He loves the support of the community and looks forward to this season. "Huntington is a great basketball community," says Neil. "We have better fans and far more support than anywhere else I know."
Neil's father, Gary, owns and operates a landscaping company, while his mother, Linda, works for Buckeye Pipeline. Neil has two older sisters. Rachel is the oldest sibling and a senior at IPFW. That should make the first game of the season interesting for the Stoffel family. His other sister, Lauren, is now a sophomore at St. Josephs College in Rensselaer, IN.
Though he is just a freshman joining a well-regarded team, Neil is more anxious than intimidated. "The guys are great," he says of his teammates. "I know I'm going to learn a lot from them. We're also lucky to have a great coaching staff. I hope to elevate my game every year I'm with this team."
- by Katie Haifley ('05)
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Luke Smith
Neil Stoffel
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What to Expect in the MCC Conference This Season
The Talent in the Conference Improves Again so Winning the MCC Conference Title Again this Year Won't Be Easy |
THE TOP CONTENDERS
The 2006 MCC Preseason Coaches Poll has identified the teams most likely to challenge for the Conference Title. The Coaches voted as follows: #1 Huntington, #2 Indiana Wesleyan, #3 Saint Francis, #4 Taylor, and #5 Grace. The poll is consistent with opinions expressed in the Forester Fan Forum this summer.
While good players moved on, the MCC Conference as a whole got stronger with the recent recruits at the nine MCC schools. Huntington has four new players in the Indiana Top 100 of Hoosier Basketball Magazine. Two of those players (Kevin Kyle and Luke Smith) were Indiana Top 40 Workout players, as well.
Indiana Wesleyan returns all but one player from last season's team (10-6). To that, the Wildcats add two Top 40 Workout players to their already strong roster.
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St Francis is perhaps the most unpredictable of the bunch. They lost a key player from last season, but they return plenty, plus a new Top 40 Workout and a Top 100 player.
Taylor graduated the three who did most everything for the Trojans last year, so they've imported three transfers (including a 6'9 junior from Central Michigan) along with three freshmen.
Grace also lost three to graduation, but returns good height and three super guards (and added another).
The other MCC teams will be strong, too. Bethel adds two Top 40 Workout players; Marian and Goshen both added Top 100 players; and Spring Arbor landed a Michigan All-State First Team player.
It all means this: winning in the MCC won't be easy.
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