Bermudian's Zach Stroup has a choice to make

Bermudian Springs senior running back Zach Stroup helped lead the Eagles to their second consecutive undefeated regular season by rushing for a team leading 1,127 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He just got done basketball season in which he helped lead Bermudian to a 16-7 record before falling in the playoffs to Berks Catholic in the District 3 Class AAA First Round.

While keeping his focus and attention on the basketball season, Stroup also had his eyes set on his future.

As it stands, Stroup plans to play basketball in college which may come as a surprise to some.

“When we were in districts before I broke my collarbone, I thought about playing football instead of basketball,” Stroup said. “Then I am broke my collarbone and I was like I don’t want to go through this again. It was painful.”

With limited choices due to his major, Stroup narrowed his college choices to York College, Arcadia, and Lebanon Valley. Stroup plans to major in physical therapy, a major that not many schools have available.

“I wanted to get involved in physical therapy even before my injury,” Stroup said. “I spent the summer talking it over with my family and decided what I wanted to do. The whole exercise aspect of it interests me.

“I have pretty much eliminated York,” Stroup added. “I will probably wait until the end of the basketball season to decide between the other two.”

He has visited and been in contact with the coaches at LVC and he has been told the coaching staff will be watching a game.

“I am pretty sure if I go up to LVC, that I will go there and play,” Stroup said. “Arcadia is not set in stone. There are tryouts at Arcadia, but the coaches will tell you if they want you.”

As far as concerns for the collarbone go, the coaches at LVC are not worried.

“(Coach McAlester) was more concerned with me personally,” Stroup said. “It doesn’t seem like it will affect my opportunity to play. It didn’t seem like it was a factor. He more so cared about me than anything.”

As far as the legacy he will leave at Bermudian.

“I feel like the seniors in the 2013 class is probably the strongest class to come through,” Stroup said. “We have lost four or five varsity football games in three years. In basketball we set the record last year for most wins in a season for basketball. The senior class, I think we will be missed.”

In several weeks, Stroup will make his decision and his childhood dream will become a reality.

“It is really cool,” he said. “That is what a lot of kids work for and to have everything you have done in your sports career and have it pay off in obtaining a good education is great. The process has been enjoyable. Every school is different and every coach is different. Some coaches call you back right away and other coaches you can tell aren’t interested in you.”