Service Makes Commitment To 'Dream School' Texas

DETROIT - Following through on a schedule of camps to attend proved to be one of the best decisions Oliver Service has ever made.

“I had a list of camps to go to and that was last on the list,” related Service about a group of five schools the University Liggett junior had an interest in, including North Carolina, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Central Michigan and - the final one - Texas. “I had it scheduled but wasn’t sure I was going to go. But in the end I just decided to go and it worked out well.”

Well, that may be an understatement following an offer and commitment to the Big 12 Conference school after spending three days at the university located in Austin.

“The first day everything went really nice,” Service reflected. “I clicked with the coaches right away and I clicked with the players right away. The facilities were the best I’d ever seen.

“On the second day we played games where we showcased our skills. The third day they said they liked my attitude and that they’d love to have me and will call soon. I’m thinking, this could be it. The next day I got a call and within minutes I got an offer.”

It was not a difficult decision according to the fourth-rated 2023 catcher in the state, who was one of the many standouts on Team Michigan at the Future Games this past summer.

“Compared to the others, I’d never clicked to a coaching staff like them,” Service explained. “I talked to each coach for at least 30 minutes. It was nice to see (Troy) Tulowitzki there. I tried to pick his brain.”

In addition to the former MLB All-Star who is now in his third year as an assistant coach working with infielders and hitters for the Longhorns, there was more that Service admired.

“Everything about the camp was nice,” the 16-year-old noted. “It was different than every other one. I said on the first day, there was something different about this one.”

It was what Service had hoped for all along.

“It’s been my number one school since I was 12,” Service pointed out. “They went to the College World Series and I remember that’s when I started liking them. They’ve been number one ever since but I never thought I’d see myself going there. It’s a dream come true. I just have to do whatever it takes to make it happen.”

The 6-0 185-pounder did enough at the camp to catch the attention of the Texas coaching staff.

“They like my hitting and that I can play outfield and catcher,” the 33rd-ranked junior in Michigan related. “They said they like my leadership, my attitude and the way I carry myself on the field. Helping others and giving 100 percent is what I do.”

Service was quick to give credit elsewhere for helping the dream become a reality.

“Without my parents this would not have happened,” Service said. “My high school coach, Dan Cimini, has been with me through this entire process and been my backbone. Coach (Reginald) Sharpe and coach (Atanas) Illitch with Little Caesars made me a better baseball player and the person I am today. My hit coach (Bruce) Fields has also really helped me.”

But the hard work is far from over for the ninth-rated uncommitted 2023 in the state prior to his decision to attend Texas

“I need to work on perfecting and cleaning up the two positions I play while adding more power to my bat,” Service explained. “As long as I can do what I do best and keep working on things, I can get better.”

A major in either business, sport management or meteorology is being considered by Service, a 3.6 student looking forward to college life at the second largest university in the state of Texas.

“I have a chance to play in the College World Series,” Service noted about what he sees in his future with the Texas program. “I can’t wait to become a better player and build a bond with my coaches and teammates. Texas has made the most College World Series appearances and that’s something I want to be part of.”

The end of the recruiting process also brings happiness to the third University Liggett junior to make a Power 5 commitment.

“It’s been a roller coaster for us,” Service said. “It’s exciting for my parents that it’s over. Now I can focus on other things than just getting committed.”