Maddi Foutz proudly sported a Colorado Mesa University camp t-shirt to her first freshman-year volleyball practice at Bayfield, prior to the 2013 season.
But though the NCAA Division II school in Grand Junction certainly will always hold an honored place in her family's heart - mother and BHS Head Coach Terene Foutz played for then-Mesa State College - the now-senior Foutz walked into BHS Gymnasium Wednesday morning, only hours before her final practice, wearing Colorado State University green and at last ready to make her Division I intentions official.
"I always enjoyed looking at other schools, but my eyes were always on CSU," she said. "So it's just really special, because I always knew I wanted to play in college but I didn't know where, until two years ago!"
With that declared, and her mother and father Mike, brother John, BHS Assistant Coach Danica Frost and BHS Activities/Athletics Director Rob Dean all present to observe the moment, Foutz signed her National Letter-of-Intent to join the incoming crop of talent bound for Fort Collins.
"Obviously we're very proud of her, but she's worked hard and there are a lot of things she's done over time - a long period of time - that the fans don't see," Terene Foutz said. "They don't see her grinding it out in the offseason, going to every competitive event that she can, to be the best that she can and to prove that she can sit at the table with Division I athletes."
"I think today really represents a story of hard work and perseverance over time, a persistence in pursuing something-and I think those efforts create opportunity in these athletes' lives," she continued. "To witness a transformation from outgoing eighth-grader to an outgoing senior is a journey, hard to express!"
During four decorated years, Foutz has helped the Wolverines compile a 79-25 overall record prior to this weekend's Class 3A state championships. She will join a Rams program standing 17-7 so far in 2016 before visiting San Diego State last night and University of Nevada tomorrow in Mountain West Conference action.
Tom Hilbert's roster presently shows four players listed as 'defensive specialist,' a position at which Foutz will likely be utilized when she arrives and reunites with former Bayfield standout middle Kirstie Hillyer.
"She's my best friend so it's really cool that we get to play together," said Foutz. "But at the same time this was more of a personal decision; I've always wanted to go to this school."
"The coaching staff - Tom and Emily (Hiza) and Luke (Murray) - they're just outstanding coaches, and I really respect them. And they have such an amazing atmosphere - think they're top-15 in the country for attendance for the games - so that's super, super special," she continued.
"And besides volleyball, the campus and town is just gorgeous; I love it up there."
"I think it's a great match of culture," Terene Foutz said. "Maddi's idea of being a fierce competitor, combined with a genuine care for people around her is a great match for CSU Volleyball. And I think Tom Hilbert and his staff emulate the very best of those things."
"Obviously there's a bigger journey ahead. There's a big jump from 3A high-school volleyball to what we will see in the next few years at a top-20 Division I program, and I think she's up for the task."
"I'm not expecting to be a starter right away. But I'm going to expect myself to work to get up to that point," said Maddi Foutz. "Right now I'm not redshirting from what they've told me, so hopefully I can just work my way up as soon as I can."
Indicating an interest in studying either health and exercise science or biology, or follow a pre-med track and later attend medical school, she also wished to thank her family and teammates for keeping her motivated and keeping the sport fun amidst the pressure of being a high-profile player.
"I think it gets more fun when you get better at volleyball, and especially with our team right now at Bayfield - we all have such a good relationship with each other, so it's really fun to play with them," she said.
"My family has been so supportive throughout my entire life - helping me travel" to five years of volley camps, "just trying to get me out there for coaches to see me. So they've always been there, whenever I had a good game or bad game."
She's also looking forward to playing at this weekend's state finals tournament.
"Knowing how hard we've worked through 10 years of playing, why stop now? Why slow down now, when I have so much to look forward to - even after everything I've done? It's been extremely special."
