Justus Perry, a 2016 infielder from Prior Lake, Minn., is racking up some serious flight miles this fall as she’s flying the 1,000 miles to and from Birmingham, Ala., to practice on the weekends with her club team the Birmingham Thunderbolts.  Perry was a 2^nd team “AAA” All-State pick this past year as a freshman and led her high school to the state championship game.

She had originally committed to Arizona State, but with the coaching change and Clint Myers now at Auburn, she’s headed to the SEC and will play in the same state where her club team practices.

In this blog, she talks about the Auburn verbal and how it came to be…

Click here to read Justus’ earlier blogs and those from our other standout players!

 

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On Sunday, September 15, I decommitted from playing softball at Arizona State University. I then verbally committed to playing softball and continuing my growth as a person at Auburn University.

A large factor in this decision was the new Auburn coaching staff, who had recruited me to ASU when they were there.

Clint Myers (Head Coach), Corey Myers, Casey Myers and Scott Woodard, the coaching staff at Auburn, have been a part of my recruiting process for some time. I’ve known the Myers since I was recruited by them when they were at ASU; I also met Coach Woodard on the recruiting trail at an OnDeck Softball camp in Phoenix, Ariz. last October.

My dream was to play at ASU so when my travel ball coach received a call from Coach Woodard saying ASU wanted me, Justus Perry from Minnesota, and wanted me to attend an ASU softball camp in December 2012, my body went numb.

When I visited in December, I instantly fell in love with how family oriented the Myers are and how much fun the staff members seemed to have teaching all of us campers.

Going to the ASU camp last winter and meeting Clint Myers for the second time—the first was when I visited ASU as a 10-year-old softball fan—was polarizing and made me want to play for him.  I never thought I would ever be in that position, one that any aspiring softball player would dream about.

Meeting Corey Myers, Clint’s son, for the first time when I was 14 was very nerve racking. Corey was a vocal teacher who taught with a purpose. He wants you to do things right the first time and understand why you did something wrong.

Looking back at that camp and after getting to know Corey Myers when he was a coach for the Birmingham Thunderbolts, I realize he has been one of the most influential teachers I have encountered in my softball career.

I didn’t think I could turn down an opportunity to be taught by the Myers family. Their track record for success is way too good.

On Saturday, September 14, I was in Birmingham, Ala. to work out and practice. During my down time, my dad drove me to Auburn to see the environment of an Auburn football game.

The environment was amazing. The passion, the electricity and the passion of the fans gave me a feeling I had never felt before. I didn’t want to leave.

During my time at Auburn I got to see all the new and exciting changes and renovations taking place at Jane B. Moore softball field (I had previously been at an Auburn softball camp and a visit back in November 2012).

On my Auburn trip this month I also met Corey Myers’ son, Christian, before the football game. He was such an outgoing little kid with energy literally seeping out of him. Christian instantly asked me what my name was within two seconds of seeing me.

I bent over and held out my hand and said, “Hi, I’m Justus.” Christian shook my hand and said, “Hi Justin.”  Although I thought I was pretty clear saying my name, Christian came away from our meeting calling me Justin for the next hour.

From that moment on, I knew I wanted to make sure every Auburn Tiger fan knew who I was:

Justus Perry #18—Auburn Tiger softball

RAW ELGAE!!

Justus Perry (@Justus_Perry18)