Blackwell Turns down Alabama Offer: Ball St. Bound

It was just over a month ago when recent Saint Joe's graduate James Blackwell finished second in the International Junior Masters at East Aurora Country Club.  During his tremendous week of play, he was contacted by the University of Alabama coaching staff about the possibility of joining the number one golf program in the nation.

James lost the championship match 2&1 to Joey Savoie of Canada and had a tough decision to make.  He had Ball State in one hand, and Alabama in the other.  I spoke with James not too long after the Masters and he didn't know what he was going to do.

A few weeks later, two days before the Porter Cup, he did have his mind made up.  James told me that he was going to honor his commitment to Ball State and turn down Alabama.  In a Buffalo News quote, James expressed his loyalty and how growing up around Delaware Park, it was so important to be a man of your word.

James will take his talent and phenomenal ball striking to join a Cardinals squad looking to jump back into the top 25 this season.