Bellbrook graduation 2012
Fairfield Senior 2012 graduation
Kroger Aquatic Center opens
Alter QB Boucher chooses Miami over OSU
Senior turns down Coach Tressel's offer, says RedHawks opportunity better fit.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Alter QB Austin Boucher before the Division IV State Championship game featuring Alter vs. Steubenville on Nov. 28, 2008 at Canton Fawcett Stadium.Torn between two suitors, Austin Boucher decided to follow his heart — that scenic drive along the rolling hills that leads to Miami University in Oxford.
The Alter High School quarterback stayed true to his oral commitment and chose the RedHawks over Ohio State on Wednesday, Jan. 28, less than 24 hours after OSU head coach Jim Tressel called with a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes.
Boucher and his twin brother, Collin — Alter's senior linebacker who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2008 opener against Fairmont — will sign their national letters of intent to Miami on Feb. 3.
"After I got the call (Tuesday) night and Ohio State offered me, I stayed up late going back and forth on what to do," Boucher said. "I slept on it, prayed about it and then made my decision.
"It was definitely hard giving coach Tressel a call, saying, 'Thanks, but no thanks.' But I've got to do what's best for me. So in the end, it just came down to a selfish reason."
An opportunity to play.
Not wanting to be buried behind OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor, Boucher figured the best fit was Miami, where he'll be a cornerstone for first-year head coach Mike Haywood, Notre Dame's former offensive coordinator.
"I know there's competition wherever I go," Boucher said. "But the opportunities at Miami are what best suit me."
A 6-foot-1, 205-pounder, Boucher completed 129 of 191 passes (.675) for 1,702 yards, 22 TDs and three interceptions, and rushed 120 times for 892 yards in leading the Knights to the 2008 Division IV state championship.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
Sizing up QB
Full name: Austin Richard Boucher (pronounced boo-SHAY)
School: Alter High School
Year: Senior
Ht./Wt.: 6-1, 205
Position: Quarterback
2008 honors: Led the Knights to the Division IV state title ... earned first-team All-State and tri-Division IV offensive player of the year honors with Dwight Macon (Steubenville) and Micah Hyde (Fostoria) ... named co-GCL North Division player of the year with Alter tailback Chris Borland.
