DECATUR -- It is every high school basketball player's dream to play on a Division I or II college basketball team. For one Decatur player that dream has become reality.
Mario Urquidi's dream came true May 1 when he signed a basketball national letter of intent to play for the University of Arkansas, Monticello, Boll Weevils during a ceremony in the library at Decatur High School. Beside Urquidi was his mother Anna and Decatur men's basketball head coach John Unger. Also present for the ceremony were brothers Victor and Allen, Decatur Mayor Bob Tharp, school board president Ike Owens, principal Toby Conrad, the 2014-15 basketball team and various faculty members.
"He is one of only 15 in the state of Arkansas that signed with an NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) school," Unger said. "It just shows you how hard it is to get to that level, whether it is softball, baseball, soccer, football or basketball."
By signing the national letter of intent with UAM, Urquidi is locked into that college's basketball program. If he decides to go elsewhere, he will not be permitted to play for any other school.
"This event doesn't happen very often in Decatur," said Unger. "In fact, I only know of one other person, a lady in the track program in 2000, that went on to the college level."
Urquidi led the Bulldogs to the 2014-15 2A-4 West regular season championship, as well as the 2A-4 West district championship last season. He was a three-time 2A-4 West district player of the year, three-time All Star Basketball appointee, three-time All State Basketball appointee and named to the 2015 All-Conference Team.
In his four-year high school career at Decatur, Urquidi amassed 1,667 points, 958 rebounds, and 217 steals, a record that most likely will stand for many years to come.
But Urquidi is quick to point out that his brother Victor and his teammates helped him achieve this dream.
"I owe much of my success to my teammates," Urquidi said. "Without their hard work and dedication, I would not be here today."
Sports on 05/06/2015