Mitch Curliss got just five words into his introduction of Precious Tillman at Island Coast’s spring sports banquet Monday night before his voice cracked and his eyes started watering.
“She will leave this school,” Curliss, speaking at the banquet that doubled as the school’s college signing ceremony for eight athletes, said before having to gather his emotions amid cheers, “as the greatest female athlete to ever walk these halls.”
Signing ceremonies aren’t always what they seem. Scholarships often aren’t full rides or even money offers at all, just invitations to join a college team as a pay-your-own-way walk-on. Or just to try out.
Many athletes still hoping for something better don’t actually sign at ceremonies.
Even Tillman, a three-time state qualifier in the shot put and discus, didn’t officially sign on Monday.
She, too, is hoping for better than the 50 percent offer she has from Bethune-Cookman once she takes the ACT again and the grades she has been working to improve since her freshman year are verified by the NCAA clearinghouse.
But there’s no doubting the significance of the moment to Tillman, or Curliss, for that matter.
After four years working together, committing more to each other as each season passed, Curliss’ emotions Monday sent Tillman’s eyes to watering, too.
“We started from nothing and built something,” she said, managing not to ruin her makeup as she dabbed at her eyes. “He built me, and we built each other, and we came a long way.”
Despite her desire and commitment to be the best – working out all last summer, lifting weights with the football team, practicing on weekends, rehearsing her footwork in school hallways – Tillman fell short of her competitive goal this year: a state title.
Even with a personal best shot put of 12.53 meters (41 feet, 1⅓ inches), the powerful albeit undersized thrower finished third in the Class 3A meet this month.
But the field has never been the ultimate track she’s had in mind.
After not understanding the importance of good grades as a freshman, Tillman has been getting A's and B's while working out and working multiple part-time jobs to get closer to her goals: college, a degree, perhaps several of them, and a good career, in business perhaps. Or maybe as a lawyer.
“The opportunity, signing, oh my God,” Tillman said of an eventual scholarship package. “It’s a big deal. I mainly just really want to go to college. I’ve got to make it to college.”
Bethune’s interest in Tillman – all 5-foot-4 of her, according to her doctor – is genuine, Curliss said, for reasons of brains, brawn, and heart.
Tillman’s interest in the school, where she’s already been accepted, is mutual, although better financial packages might be available elsewhere.
“The coaches from all around the state, they’re in awe of her,” Curliss said. “Every coach that watches her says, ‘Wow. She’s powerful.’ Her athleticism and power are unique. She’s got the mind. She carries two or three jobs. The work ethic is there."
It’s that drive that prompted Curliss to be a better coach, to learn more about throwing. And it prompted Tillman’s mother to keep supporting Curliss in asking more of Tillman, who was strong-willed straight out of the womb.
“She’s always been determined. She's always pushed herself. It’s just that extra help,” said Tillman’s mother, Eugenina Tillman. "We always thought she would be a lawyer because she’s on top of stuff. She likes to argue. She always has to win.”
Same goes for throwing competitions.
"She was humble," Curliss said. "She would read and watch other performers. She would go into every meet and just say, 'Coach, I’m going to beat them today.' And she would beat them and just leave. No hot-dogging. None of that stuff. She just knew."
Eugenina Tillman said she gets tongue-tied when asked about her daughter's success, especially after Precious' two older brothers didn't finish school. Three younger sisters and a baby brother are watching.
"She’s showing an example to her sisters that it can be done," Eugenina Tillman said.
As for Curliss, he sought help from high school coaches around the state: at South Fort Myers, Palmetto Ridge, Naples, Charlotte and even Miami. All were happy to help.
“There’s been so many people who have been instrumental,” he said.
But he was the one lucky enough to be standing there Monday night crying at an event that, while symbolic, can still mean everything.
“I knew she had the potential to be great, and I never wanted to let her down,” Curliss said. “We didn’t reach that goal (state champion). But it took everything she had to get to that level. Sometimes in life you go for your dreams, and it puts you in better places.”
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