Blue Devil Basketball Star Chooses Catholic University
Jackie Waldron gave the Huntington High School basketball team everything she had and carried the Blue Devils into the Suffolk Class AA play-offs this past season. The senior will soon turn her focus to Catholic University and its hard court program after deciding to attend the Washington, DC area college.
"I am so excited that I have finally decided as it was a very long recruiting process," Waldron said. "Recruiting began last summer and I was surprised at the amount of looks I received. Hearing from schools such as Ithaca College, Dickinson College, Vassar College, Skidmore College, The College of New Jersey and The College at Brockport was very exciting. My first visit to Catholic was this past summer. I had been contacted by the coach and I went to visit the campus. The moment I stepped onto the campus at Catholic University, I knew that I belonged."
"I am very excited that Jackie will be attending Catholic University," Blue Devil head coach Mike Kaplan said. "Not only is she attending an outstanding academic university she will be able to play basketball, as well."
Waldron began her Huntington career at J. Taylor Finley Middle School but detoured to St. Anthony's High School before returning to the fold as a junior. She immediately became a mainstay and has been a dangerous outside shooter.
"Throughout the past year I have seen Jackie grow into a wonderful basketball player," Kaplan said. "Jackie is a hard working and dedicated athlete. She spends a great deal of time improving her skills during and outside of the season. I am confident that she will bring a great deal of basketball knowledge and skill to the Catholic University basketball program."
Waldron, who earned All-Conference honors, averaged 15.7 points and more than 10 rebounds per game this past season. She was among the leaders in Suffolk with 31 three-point baskets. "This season Jackie was a true leader for us," Kaplan said. "She was able to help her teammates out when in need on-and-off the court. She is without a doubt a team player and Catholic University is very lucky to have her."
The teenager took her time making a decision on which college to attend and play basketball for. "After three visits, everything at The Catholic University of America seemed perfect," Waldron said. "The academics, the dorms, the social life, the team, and the coaching staff were a great fit for me. Catholic University is a member of the Landmark Conference, along with Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy. I am looking forward to being able to play a game here on Long Island against Kings Point."
Catholic University is coming off a 19-10 season. The Cardinals' athletic program consists of 21 varsity teams. The college has 3,470 undergraduate students and another 3,240 students on the graduate level. The women's basketball team is a member of the Landmark Conference and plays its games in the 2,000 seat Raymond A. DuFour Center.
"Jackie will be missed next season," Kaplan said. "She led by example and that has set a tone for our younger players coming through the program."
Waldron is already turning her thoughts to next winter and her new team. "I have just received my off-season workout plan for this summer," she said. "It is very intense and I know I will be spending a lot of time in the gym."
Looking back over her Huntington career, Waldron is upbeat about how things went. "I have had a terrific experience playing basketball at Huntington," she said. "I learned, I grew and I developed. I am truly going to miss the girl's basketball team and the family that we have become. Coach [Brad] Reminick and Coach Kaplan have not only taught me the game of basketball, but also made me want to be the best I could be. I will be there to watch the games next season whenever I can, and someday I'll be back to coach."