By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Patrick Pinchon, an All-State football player for Danville High School, signed a grant-in-aid football scholarship with Troy University on Wednesday.
The event was staged in the school library and was attended by coaches, teammates and family members.
Pinchon is a 6-foot-3, 250-pound senior who started for three years in both football and basketball.
As a defensive end and H-back in football, he earned All-County and All-Area honors for three years and was named to the state's Class 3A All-State team as a junior and senior.
As a post player in basketball, he received All-County and All-Area honors following his sophomore and juniors seasons.
He was recruited as a defensive lineman by Troy, University of Alabama in Birmingham, Memphis State University, Southern Mississippi and Jacksonville State University. He made official visits to Troy and UAB over the third and fourth weekends in January, respectively.
"I was interested in Auburn and UAB early on," Pinchon said, "but I started leaning toward Troy after I visited there, and made my decision after visiting the UAB campus.
"I was impressed with the Troy coaches because they kept visiting me and showing lots of interest right up to the end. I also liked the campus and the enlarged football stadium, and the players made me feel like I was at home."
He paid his teammates a compliment after signing all of the paperwork. "I wouldn't be here without all of you pushing me and making me a better player. I hope I'll be seeing some of you on campus in the future," he said.
Head coach Joey Burks used the occasion to remind his players how special it is for a high school football player to make it into the college ranks.
"In the state of Alabama there are over 10,000 football players at the high school level. Only 120 of them are signing college scholarships today. That's about 1 percent of the total.
The college coaches that recruited Patrick saw something special in him and that's why he is going to be able to take his game to the next level.
"In signing his scholarship, Patrick is making a commitment not only to Troy but to his family, school and community. I'm going to know the number on his jersey and watch him play his position any time a Troy game is being televised."
I'm so proud of him and all of his accomplishments," said Tear Pinchon, his mother. "I want the best for him. He has made his choice of what school he wants to attend, and I stand behind him."
His father, Marvin Pinchon, said, "We're all extremely proud of Patrick. He has worked hard over the years to develop his athletic skills and now it is paying off."
Pinchon has qualified academically to enroll at Troy next fall.
He is interested in pursuing a career in sports medicine.