ELLSWORTH -- With months of heavy recruiting from colleges at all levels, the decision came down to the final night for Ellsworth's Cody Schilling.
But late Thursday, the standout basketball player decided that next year he would play for Augustana in Sioux Falls, S.D.
"It was tough," Schilling said after signing his letter of intent Friday morning in front of teammates, friends and family. "I kind of told Winona no first, and then last night I had to sit there and think a little longer. It was probably the toughest decision of my life so far."
The state's all-time leading scorer had narrowed his choices to Augustana, Winona State, and Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.
But while Winona State is the defending Division II national champions, and Northwestern a perennial NAIA powerhouse, it was the ability to lead a Viking program that appealed to Schilling.
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"Northwestern and Winona State are already at the top of where they can be," Schilling said. "To tell you the truth, I didn't want to just add to what they already had. Augustana is trying to build a system, and I wanted to be a big step into what they are trying to do. I think they are in the right direction, and I just want to help them get to the top."
Last season, the Vikings finished with a 22-9 record and reached the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time since 1988-89.
"They have the program going in the right way, and I think they are one or two players away from being a top-caliber team," Schilling said. "I hope I can be one of those players and can help their program take a huge step and try to get to where Winona State is at right now. I think they have some good young players and hopefully they can maybe sign one more big recruit this year or next year and hopefully within my four years we can get to be one of those top-notch programs."
However, the Vikings will have a new challenge next season, when they will join the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, and play teams such as Southwest Minnesota State and Winona State.
Being able to be a part of the team appealed to Schilling, but being able to stay close to home was also a factor in the decision.
"It's a great feeling; I just feel that Augie is the place for me," Schilling said. "They have a great coaching staff and have some good young players. It's close to home, and I think after I thought about everything, it's the right fit for me."
For Augustana head coach Tom Billeter, adding Schilling is an exciting opportunity.
"Our coaching staff, and the entire Augustana community for that matter, is excited to add Cody to our program," Billeter said in a release. "He has so many attributes that you can't list them all. But one trait that my coaching staff and I noticed was how unselfish he is. He is a true team player. He comes from a great program, so we know we're getting a quality young man."
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Schilling helped lead the Panthers to their second consecutive Class A state championship this season, and set the all-time scoring mark along the way.
As proof of his unselfish play, he also set the state's career assist record with 1,439. The senior will look to score and pass as he makes the transition to the college game.
"It's another step up going to the college game speed-wise and strength," Schilling said. "I'm just going to have to get in the weight room and start working out at Augie and learn the system. I'll have to get stronger, get quicker, like I said, it's a whole different level. I'm going to work as hard as I can to be the best player I can be. Hopefully I can take Augie as far as it can go."
When he's not playing basketball, Schilling hopes to major in either business or elementary education while at Augustana.
"Augustana is one of the top schools in the nation, and they are known for their business and elementary education programs," Schilling said. "It's actually a good fit for athletics and academics."
Even though Schilling received looks from bigger schools such as North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Drake, Creighton and Wisconsin-Green Bay, Schilling still feels that the Vikings play a high-level of basketball, where he hopes to make an immediate impact.
"You can't be sure, but I'm not going to redshirt," Schilling said. "They want me to play major minutes next year, and they are talking about a starting role. But you can't guarantee that to anybody. It's whoever works the hardest in the offseason, but I feel pretty confident that I'll do well at the next level."
