Mr. Elias, 1/14/10
A quick note of thanks for helping me realize my dream of playing Division I baseball. I’m an entering Freshman in 2010 as an early commit with the University of Cincinnati. They made a significant scholarship offer which I was please to accept. The University of Cincinnati was my first choice of schools.
Over the years working with you, I attended the Sunday workshops and followed many of your guidelines. My goal was to work as smart and hard in the college search process as I worked getting better at Baseball.
Some of the keys for me include:
- Stay organized. Do the tracking sheet.
- Research the schools of interest.
- Engage as the coaches engage. Knowing the NCAA rules for recruiting very important.
- Pursue offers and allow leverage to work for you.
- Maintain good grades and good entrance exams.
- Stay focused. Work harder and smarter to get better.
Tommy, one of the most time consuming aspects of the recruiting process was responding to all coach communications. I leveraged my parents to help stay focused on all communication. Also, my family and I visited many schools early in the process.
I’m grateful that my dream to play Division I Baseball is soon to be a reality. I’m so fortunate that I will be a scholarship player at a school that will allow my family and friends to attend my games routinely. The University of Cincinnati has one of the top facilities and coaching staffs in the country.
Thank you for helping me. I know you were available to talk on the telephone many times in the process.
Go BEARCATS!
Matt Williams
2010
Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Tommy,
Attached is a note from Matthew. As you know over the summer, he committed to The University of Cincinnati to play baseball.
We’d also like to express our gratitude. College costs are significant and Matthew received significant funding. During the process, we all worked together for the good of furthering Matt’s education.
Thank you so much for the all the coaching!!!!
In the end, Matt did all the hard work and performed on the field. We are so thrilled that his dream came true. Also, we will get to see him play. We are so blessed.
God Bless you, Tom!
Paul Williams
By Ron Jackson, Staff WriterUpdated 8:02 AM Wednesday, May 20, 2009
SPRINGBORO — James Sheltrown is headed to Akron University and ranks No. 20 on the Buckeye Scout list of Ohio’s top baseball players. Buckeye Scout is a highly respected scouting bureau.
“We like James because of his ability to play more than one position,” said Akron coach Pat Bangtson. “He’s a solid middle infielder and catcher. You don’t often find that combination. He’s a hard-nosed player who plays with a lot of enthusiasm. We’re excited about what he brings to the table for us.”
While attending a recent Cincinnati Reds-Houston Astros baseball game, the Springboro High School catcher fielded a few questions about the Panthers’ surprising season, his backstop abilities and his future.

Q What gets your adrenaline going — nailing a would-be base stealer or delivering a clutch RBI?
A It depends on the situation (and) what I want to do. If it means winning a game, the RBI means more.
Read more
The following have recently signed with local colleges, the student athletes received substantially financial aid and scholarships.
Rebecca Kurtz has received a scholarship from Indiana Tech University to play soccer. She will be studying Engineering and with a great financial package, she will surely be successful.
Rebecca follows the example of other area clients who are making the jump into the college sporting environment. She will be graduating this spring from Valley View High School.
This is another client that has a successful story as they worked with Tom Elias and CPOA.

College Prospects’ clients, Sam Coffey and Alicia Kees receive numerous scholarships and opportunities through hard work and assistance from Tom Elias.
[Cited from the Cincinnati Enquirer]
Sam Coffey, for instance, cast a wide net, applying to 29 colleges in the Midwest and on the East Coast. He was offered $711,000 in scholarships, including full rides at a number of schools. Coffey chose Case Western Reserve University near Cleveland, where he’ll study economics and play football…
Little Miami High School graduate Alicia Kees racked up almost $400,000 in offers after spending the fall and early winter applying to 15 colleges. Kees said she learned some valuable lessons about using one school’s offer of scholarship monies to leverage a higher offer from another school.