MUNICH, N.D. – As the 2009-10 high school basketball season winds down its final two weeks of play, Travis Beck is keeping his focus on the task at hand as his Starkweather-Munich team looks to close the season on a winning note.
But, the talented Beck could be forgiven if his mind wanders a bit as he looks ahead to what promises to be a continuation of a brilliant athletic career that made him one of the most sought-after prep football players in North Dakota last fall.
In February, Beck inked a national letter of intent to play football at North Dakota State University this fall. He also admits to a little bit of help in reaching his decision to play for the Bison.
“Coach (DelaBarre) played there and was very successful,” Beck said of his mentor last fall at Langdon-Munich. “He was a big part in the decision to sign (at NDSU).”
But, Beck also admits to having little doubt he would sign with the once proud Bison program.
Beck said he attended a camp at the school last summer and his size, speed and strength caught the eye of the Bison coaches.
“(NDSU) was the only school that recruited me the whole time,” said Beck, who figures to play either linebacker or safety for the Bison.
At nearly 6-feet tall, Beck may appear to be a bit undersized to play linebacker at the Division 1 level, but then again, NDSU has had its share of small linebackers make an impact over the years, including Joe Mays, who is currently with the Philadelphia Eagles.
But, what might just set Beck apart from those two former Bison greats are the intangibles. He has speed, although he won’t reveal his 40 time.
“I am more quick than fast,” said the personable Munich High School senior.
He also has one of the best vertical jumps in the state. He hesitates to let in on what that might be, as well.
But while he is tight-lipped about some of those measurable tools, just watch him on the basketball floor Thursday night as he and his Magic Storm teammates battle New Rockford-Sheyenne for third place in the Region 4 tournament.
“It’s obvious he’s an athlete,” Starkweather-Munich basketball coach Stanley Dick said. “He’s not going to NDSU for nothing.”
Dick said Beck is averaging more than 13 points per game for the Magic Storm this season. He is also the team leader in assists and steals.
Beck and his Langdon-Munich teammates came up short in the Dakota Bowl in November as Velva won another state championship. It is a game Beck said he wished could be replayed.
“When we got into the red zone, (Velva) shut us down,” he said. “Velva had a few great drives, but that’s Velva. I’d like to play them again … I think it would be a different outcome.”
Such a new outcome will forever remain undetermined. Instead, when August rolls around and fall camp opens, Beck’s mind will no longer be on the Aggies.
Instead, the names, Jackrabbits, Panthers and Penguins will replace the Aggies in the mind of Beck.
But, North Dakota will be hard-pressed to replace one of the best gridiron players to hail from the Roughrider State.
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MUNICH, N.D. – As the 2009-10 high school basketball season winds down its final two weeks of play, Travis Beck is keeping his focus on the task at hand as his Starkweather-Munich team looks to close the season on a winning note.
But, the talented Beck could be forgiven if his mind wanders a bit as he looks ahead to what promises to be a continuation of a brilliant athletic career that made him one of the most sought-after prep football players in North Dakota last fall.
In February, Beck inked a national letter of intent to play football at North Dakota State University this fall. He also admits to a little bit of help in reaching his decision to play for the Bison.
“Coach (DelaBarre) played there and was very successful,” Beck said of his mentor last fall at Langdon-Munich. “He was a big part in the decision to sign (at NDSU).”
But, Beck also admits to having little doubt he would sign with the once proud Bison program.
Beck said he attended a camp at the school last summer and his size, speed and strength caught the eye of the Bison coaches.
“(NDSU) was the only school that recruited me the whole time,” said Beck, who figures to play either linebacker or safety for the Bison.
At nearly 6-feet tall, Beck may appear to be a bit undersized to play linebacker at the Division 1 level, but then again, NDSU has had its share of small linebackers make an impact over the years, including Joe Mays, who is currently with the Philadelphia Eagles.
But, what might just set Beck apart from those two former Bison greats are the intangibles. He has speed, although he won’t reveal his 40 time.
“I am more quick than fast,” said the personable Munich High School senior.
He also has one of the best vertical jumps in the state. He hesitates to let in on what that might be, as well.
But while he is tight-lipped about some of those measurable tools, just watch him on the basketball floor Thursday night as he and his Magic Storm teammates battle New Rockford-Sheyenne for third place in the Region 4 tournament.
“It’s obvious he’s an athlete,” Starkweather-Munich basketball coach Stanley Dick said. “He’s not going to NDSU for nothing.”
Dick said Beck is averaging more than 13 points per game for the Magic Storm this season. He is also the team leader in assists and steals.
Beck and his Langdon-Munich teammates came up short in the Dakota Bowl in November as Velva won another state championship. It is a game Beck said he wished could be replayed.
“When we got into the red zone, (Velva) shut us down,” he said. “Velva had a few great drives, but that’s Velva. I’d like to play them again … I think it would be a different outcome.”
Such a new outcome will forever remain undetermined. Instead, when August rolls around and fall camp opens, Beck’s mind will no longer be on the Aggies.
Instead, the names, Jackrabbits, Panthers and Penguins will replace the Aggies in the mind of Beck.
But, North Dakota will be hard-pressed to replace one of the best gridiron players to hail from the Roughrider State.
