The University of Vermont has just won a major recruiting battle, as they have landed Ben Crenca, the highly sought after center from Worcester Academy. 

Ben Crenca is a Catamount…or at least he will be beginning in the fall of 2009.  The big man from Worcester Academy gave Vermont head coach Mike Lonergan a verbal commitment on Sunday afternoon.

His commitment ends what had been a long and local recruiting battle, as there were a plethora of schools from the northeast hoping to land one of the few true low post players available this year.  In fact, Crenca’s long list of scholarship offers included schools in the Atlantic 10, CAA, and MAAC among others. 

But ultimately, the Rhode Island native opted to spurn opportunities to play in higher ranked conferences for the peace of mind of going to the place where he simply felt the most comfortable. 

“When I was on their campus I knew that was the place I wanted to be,” Crenca said of Vermont.  “That feeling just stuck in my head throughout the summer, and ultimately it was the deciding factor.” 

“I said to myself ‘maybe in the fall I could get looked at by a school at an even higher level.’  But all they would be looking for is a spot to fill,” he conceded.  “When I get to Vermont I think I can be a contributing factor right away.”

Crenca should have every opportunity to be just that.  In fact, the Rhode Island native has the potential to develop into an impact player for the Catamounts, perhaps even sooner rather than later. 

CLICK HERE for complete article .