Multiple athletes have decided to play at Pitt-Johnstown despite receiving offers from other schools.

Sophomore basketball guard Josh Wise said that playing basketball at Pitt-Johnstown was the best decision of his life, due to what he has gotten.

“I’m happy I’m playing basketball here and I’m working toward a degree. I’ve also made friends here that I’ll have for the rest of my life and memories I’ll never forget,” Wise said.

Wise said that he had a basketball scholarship from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and a preferred walk-on football scholarship at Pennsylvania State University.

Being a preferred walk-on would’ve meant that Wise would’ve been guaranteed a spot on the Penn State football team, but he would not have received a scholarship, as programs are limited to how many they can give, according to an  NCAA website.

“They (the Penn State and North Carolina-Charlotte offers) were not full rides,” Wise said. “I was getting little money for football.”

According to Wise, his Pitt-Johnstown scholarship covers both his housing and tuition costs.

Wise wasn’t the only basketball player to receive multiple offers.

According to junior basketball guard Tori Moreland, she was offered scholarships from four other schools, and all the offered scholarships were similar to the Pitt-Johnstown one.

Moreland said that what her decision came down to was personal taste.

“I wanted to like the campus, its size and the teammates on the team. I felt it was important to like the coach as well but I didn’t want coaching to be my deciding factor,” Moreland said.

According to Moreland, the decision has gone well.

“I’m overall happy with my decision. I’m getting a great education, and basketball is going well, too,” Moreland said.

Wise also said that the distance from home was a reason.

“The distance to home was close enough if need be,” Wise said.

Wise is from Washington, Washington County.

Both athletes said they are happy to play basketball here.