Chilcutt Signs with Air Force Academy

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Clarksville High baseball coach Brian Hetland spoke in front of a portion of the student body Wednesday expressing his appreciation for what senior Luke Chilcutt has done for the baseball program in the past three years.   

Chilcutt was celebrating signing day with his parents, grandparents and friends. Hetland added that it was Chilcutt's ability on the baseball field that garnered him notice, but it was his ability in the classroom that gained him entrance as Chilcutt signed his national letter of intent to play at the Air Force Academy.

Aside from the chance to play college baseball, Chilcutt was attracted to Air Force because of its engineering program as well as his desire to want to serve his country. Chilcutt, whose father and grandfather played football at Austin Peay and mother played basketball for the Lady Govs, said he'd like to design the next generation of fighter planes."If I can be of service to others, that's what I want to do," said Chilcutt, whose grandfather also served in the Air Force. "The Air Force is a great opportunity for me to do that and I'm grateful I'll get that chance. I mean I love baseball and I'm excited about that aspect, too, but to get a chance to serve and to study math and science, which are two of my favorite subjects ... I'm looking forward to that."

Chilcutt hit .352 last season as a junior. He was 6-1 with a 2.73 ERA and struck out 61. As a sophomore he had a 1.71 ERA with an identical win-loss record. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior also played golf for CHS.

Chilcutt has been a pitcher and shortstop.

Article by George Robinson of The Leaf Chronicle