Schwalbe signs with CSC

Wednesday, May 7 was National Signing Day, and at Hot Springs County High School Noah Schwalbe and family members were on hand to witness Noah signing to play for the Eagles at Chadron State College (CSC) in Nebraska.

As for his decision to go to CSC, Schwalbe said he went to the campus and it just felt right to him. Having not made any verbal commitment to a school at the time, he didn't say yes to CSC's offer right away but did so after a walk around the campus.

Schwalbe will attend on a half-athletic, half-academic scholarship and plans to major in Psychology with plans to be a counselor. He noted his mom does counseling and would like to follow in her footsteps, but he also enjoys just helping people.

While playing at Thermopolis, Schwalbe has been All-Conference all four years and All-State two years in football, and All-Conference four years in basketball. Two years ago he was selected for the All Wyoming Basketball Team and this year he will play in the Shrine Bowl on June 9. This year, he was also named the Defensive Player of the Year for the State of Wyoming.

Hot Springs County Football Coach Matt McPhie said the opportunity for Schwalbe is amazing, but not just for football. While he is going to be an Eagle, the coach said he will always also be a Bobcat.

"I will certainly be excited for Saturday afternoons and what you're doing in the next couple years," McPhie said to Schwalbe. "But, more than anything I'm looking forward to that picture I'm going to get on my phone in five years, of you in your cap and gown."

Schwalbe's mother Jacque, who is also a counselor, expressed her appreciation to coach McPhie for the work he's done with her son. "You've done amazing with him the past couple years," she said. "We've been so honored that you've been there to take him to that next level."

Jacque further added that, in addition to Noah's accomplishments, McPhie was very influential in getting her son a scholarship and the opportunity to go to college.

"Coaches are huge," she said, in shaping the students for the future as far as any kind of athletic scholarship. "They can take them from being a good player and staying there or taking them to the next level. I feel like McPhie has really demonstrated that to us."