BVA’s Watson headed to Pitt-Greensburg

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

Belle Vernon Area goalkeeper TJ Watson will keep the family pipeline to Pitt-Greensburg going after announcing his commitment to continue his athletic and academic career last week.

Watson chose the school where his sister Kaity, also a goalkeeper, played and will man the nets at the Ridilla Athletic Fields on the UPG campus.

“It actually means a lot to both of us, and it gives me some motivation,” Watson said. “I always tell my sister that she’s my motivation to get better and that I always have to be better than her. This is still going to apply at UPG. She left some big shoes to fill and I can promise her I will fill those shoes and more.”

Watson, who chose UPG over Cal U and Seton Hill, said he plans on majoring in business, specifically economics.

“I think the campus is absolutely beautiful. I wanted to stay relatively close. They had the specific major I want and easy access to any info I wanted to know about the college or team,” he said.

Watson said a chance conversation with Bobcats head coach Marc Bucci helped lead to his commitment.

“One of the first things he said was, ‘I honestly didn’t think you’d be interested in this program.’” Watson said. “He said he absolutely loves me as a keeper.”

Bucci made communication easier for Watson, which was critical during the pandemic.

“It definitely made the recruiting process harder, especially with visits,” Watson said of the pandemic. “Coach Bucci made it very easy to communicate and when we were available to meet in person, we had a very lengthy talk about various things which led to my commitment.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Friday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.