Former Silverado, Green Valley football player makes it to D-1

By Jared Harmon

Monday, Sept. 22, 2008 | midnight

Former Silverado and Green Valley High football player Aaron Bagsby never gave up on his dream.

A running back and defensive back, Bagsby went non-recruited in his senior year with the Gators in 2006. He could have gone to a junior college or played for a small school, but always dreamed of having a successful Division-I college career.

Instead, he enrolled at the The Hill School in Pottstown, Pa., a college preparatory school that helped him get noticed and eventually sign with the University of Connecticut.

Now, a red-shirt freshman, Bagsby has played in three of four games for the Huskies (4-0) and is living his dream every Saturday.

"Going to UConn has been amazing," Bagsby said. "I love the school, I love the team. We have a family atmosphere and that's what drew me to the program. I knew from when I was a little kid that I wanted to go to a Division-I school. I just had to find a way."

Bagsby has five tackles for the Huskies and an interception. Bagsby said he was well prepared for college ball during his time with the Gators under former coach Greg Murphy, but felt there was little interest shown in Southern Nevada athletes by college recruiters.

"Green Valley prepared me in terms of studying for a game and practicing hard," Bagsby said. "But it's hard coming out of Nevada in general and especially if you're not on a big high-profile team. Going to The Hill School and being on the East Coast definitely boosted my status."

Murphy said Bagsby showed potential from the day he transferred to Green Valley from Silverado as a junior. As a senior, Bagsby had 66 tackles, three interceptions and recovered four fumbles.

"Aaron made a big impact while he was here and he did a lot of different things for us," Murphy said. "We always knew he had the ability to play Division-I ball it was just a matter of doing certain things to get noticed."

Bagsby's brother, Green Valley senior running back Quincy Bagsby, is now in a similar position and said he has benefitted from watching his older brother go through the recruiting process.

"We talk pretty regularly and I've learned a lot from him about choosing a school wisely," Quincy Bagsby said. "Being able to look back at what Aaron did makes everything easier on me."

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or [email protected].