Recruit757 is exclusively about high school football, college football, and most specifically football recruiting in the Southeastern Virginia area, otherwise known as “The 757”.

Here you’ll learn about national news from a local perspective, get updates on the recruitment of local athletes and learn about players you won’t get enough of on a national recruiting site.

We provide an outlet for the depth of talent here in Hampton Roads, plus we provide scouting service and video service to the colleges that recruit here.    WVEC’s Scott Cash did a report on recruit757 in August 2011… check it out.

Staff

Andy Hilton – Founder

Andy has over 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising, plus a lifetime of experience as a fan of football. Born and raised in Hampton Roads, Andy has a unique appreciation of the history of high school football in the region, plus the experience in communications and marketing to bring the local side of the game to life on the web. Andy and recruit757 provides scouting service to dozens of colleges, including competitive information on regional high school talent to the colleges actively recruiting in the area. Andy spearheads recruit757’s mission that benefits local athletes and get them the college scholarships they deserve.

Andy leads scholarship workshops that educate parents and players about the recruiting process, and he runs camps that allow college coaches to connect with local players and football programs.

Keith Chisolm – Central VA Scout

Keith a.k.a. “Coach Chiz” is a transplant to The 804 area. Originally from Dallas, Texas (and yes, he is a huge Cowboys Fan), Keith has spent the last 15 years in the Chesterfield-Richmond area. Keith has spent the last 20+ years serving in Army with stops in Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan. He is avid football fan ranging from an appreciation and fondness for the Pee Wees to a love for the professional game. Keith is very interested in the “people” side of football as well as the dynamics it takes to build a successful program. He has spent the last three years on the high school sidelines coaching wide receivers and the O/D-line in the Central Region. Over the last eight years, he has worked, scouted and attended dozens of All-Star Camps, Combines, and other football events that highlights area athletes. Keith is very interested in developing a comprehensive network of players, coaches, and colleges to promote the talent in the Central Region. Additionally, he is interested in following the successes of players after they leave the high school ranks. By strictly focusing on the local talent and developing relationships with players and parents, Keith hopes to create greater opportunities for players in The 804 to play at the next level. Driven by his own difficulties during the intricacies of the recruiting process as a high school athlete in Texas, Keith wants to ensure local athletes get the college opportunities they deserve. He feels the excitement to see young men reach their goals in becoming collegiate athletes. Keith is the Director for recruit804.com and a contributor to recruit757.com

 

Jay Parchman – Video

Jay is a transplant to the area via Jackson and Memphis, Tennessee. Jay is an avid fan of high school and college football and has resided in Chesapeake for over ten years. Jay follows the college beat, but also shoots scout video and writes for recruit757.com, mostly covering the college angle.   Jay is especially interested in following the college careers of our local players who’ve gone off to doing bigger things.   As the seasons pass by, if you’re playing college ball or have gone on to a career, don’t be surprised if you hear from Jay.   The entire football community loves to know what you’re up to since you finished playing high school football in The 757.

 

Jon Fritz – Video

Jon’s a local boy through and through. He’s followed football for years, and don’t hold his love for the Dallas Cowboys against him. Jon is a jack of all trades, shooting photography, scout video, and writing articles when called upon. He’s based out of the Beach, but will go anywhere in Hampton Roads to cover a game. Don’t be surprised to see him on the field shooting pictures, then writing about the game that night. He’s also a go to guy for covering off-season events.

 

 

Chris Hopkins – Correspondent

Chris got his start in radio, then moved into television.   He’s made radio calls for the Norfolk Tides, hosted AM Radio shows, and even held down the morning anchor desk at WTKR – TV 3 for a few years.   After years of a radio and television career, Chris entered the world of mortgage lending.   He still has great journalistic chops and a huge love for football.    Mr. Hopkins loves to follow UVA Football, plus he’s a big fan of New York sports teams including the Mets and Jets.   Chris mostly covers the Beach District for recruit757.

 

Waltron Moody – Video

Waltron was featured on recruit757 when he was a lineman for the Warwick Raiders. He’s now a mass communications student at Norfolk State University, and doesn’t play the game anymore, but he still loves Football. Waltron also played Basketball and Tennis in high school. He was a well rounded athlete. Waltron does a lot of video work for recruit757, and of course he’s still closely connected to the programs, players, and coaches of the former Peninsula District. You’ll see Waltron at games on the Peninsula all the time. He’ll also assist with camps, combines, showcases, and other events.

 

John Harvey – Features Writer/Correspondent

John Harvey comes to recruit757 after 15 years of reporting in Williamsburg. He was the Sports Editor for the Williamsburg Gazette. Now all of his experience covering James City County, York County, and Williamsburg comes to recruit757. John covers the teams of the former Bay Rivers District. He knows the players and coaches well. John rew up in Richmond, Va. went to Highland Springs High and graduated from VCU with a degree in broadcasting. You can follow John on his website at revcitysports.com and on Twitter at RevCitySports. His site covers all the high school sports of Williamsburg, JCC, and York.

 

Jamaar Hawkins – Features Writer/Correspondent

Jamaar was born and raised in Norfolk, VA. He’s a 2004 Lake Taylor High School graduate and went on to attend Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, VA on a full track scholarship before transferring to Norfolk State University and completing his degree. Along with track and field, he was a member of both the cross country and tennis teams while attending Saint Paul’s. Immediately after college, he began a teaching career in Portsmouth Public Schools, initially as a seventh grade social studies teacher in 2012. During that same year, he also began my journalism career as a writer for Official the Magazine (www.offthemag.com). Other than writing, he enjoys watching his favorite sports teams: Dallas Cowboys, New York Knicks, and UNC basketball. In addition, he is a huge fan of the show “Shark Tank.” Jamaar is married to a beautiful wife, Fredecia, has one daughter Jazilynn. His favorite quote: “Nothing is ever as good as it seems, nothing is as bad as it seem. Somewhere in the middle lies reality.”

In addition to writing for recruit757’s football outlet, Jamaar is the head of operations for recruit757/basketball.

 

Brandon Mitchell – Features Writer/Correspondent

Brandon is a student of Mass Communications at Norfolk State University and a former lineman for the Woodside Wolverines. He has a passion for sports and it shows in his writing. Brandon’s big aspiration is to make it to Los Angeles as a correspondent for ESPN-LA. In the meantime, he’s pounding the gridiron for great stories, focusing mainly on the Peninsula District.  You will also find him chasing a basketball story from time to time.

Brandon is a relentless journalist and he has a great eye for football talent.  He also works as a medic at Fort Eustis in Newport News, in addition to being a full-time student.   Mr. Mitchell keeps a busy schedule.

 

Jim McGrath – Features Writer/Correspondent

Jim has been a resident of the region for years and has honed his craft covering sports in the Bay Rivers District and the Peninsula District as a freelancer for the Daily Press. He has also worked as a senior writer for TrackNation magazine. He recently co-authored a motivational book: “Life Treats You the Way You Treat It.” Jim’s role with recruit757 has grown to where he’s regularly contributing stories on Peninsula and Bay Rivers football programs and their players. His wife Elizabeth also writes for recruit757 on a regular basis.

Jim also maintains a blog called “Writing on the Wall” that is dedicated to his interests, including youth and amateur sports.

Elizabeth McGrath – Features Writer/Correspondent

Known affectionately as “Mrs. Mac” by her students, Elizabeth McGrath is definitely a “Southeast Virginia” original. She is new to the 757 sports writing community, but not the area. She has called Newport News home since the early 1970’s because of her military dad. She is a graduate of Denbigh High School, Christopher Newport, and recently Regent University. While she did not participate in organized athletics, she was indirectly tied to sports as a pep band musician. Elizabeth is our full-time schoolteacher who enjoys writing. As such, she feels her best contribution for the Recruit757 team is features-themed writing. If she is not inside the classroom teaching young people or representing public education by participating in several state organizations, Elizabeth enjoys high school, college and professional sports events with her teacher/sportswriter husband Jim and their canine “son,” Hudson.

Joe Barnes – Photographer

Joe works the sidelines as a photographer for recruit757.com. You can also see his work at joebarnesphotography.com. Not only does Joe do sports photography, but he does portraits, dance photos and a lot more. Joe does excellent work!   Joe also works as a Firefighter/EMT for the Chesapeake Fire Department.   You’ll find him covering a lot of western Hampton Roads and the Peninsula as well.   Joe will get out to a Beach game once in a while, so keep an eye out for him there too.

If you want senior photos, including action shots, casual poses and studio pictures, be sure to get in touch with Joe.

 

Sam Mizelle – Photographer

Sam is a professional photographer who dedicates her time to photographing the young athletes of Hampton Roads in order to help them with their recruitment. She’s been a football mom. Her son played football for Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and she thoroughly enjoys the game. Sam was an AP Photographer before she settled into an office job as an administrator. She has a keen eye behind the lens and she thoroughly enjoys her work on the sidelines. Sam also works with the sponsor partners of recruit757 and helps them to deliver their business goals by reaching the audience of recruit757 and by communicating their message efficiently.

 

Mary Ann Magnant – Photographer

Mary Ann honed her skills shooting track and cross country, but she has a true love for football. She’s a national level contributor for MileStat.com, an online publisher of news and statistics for the track and field community. Mary Ann is based at the Beach, but will travel anywhere for a a good game. She might be small, but she’s not afraid to jump in and get a great shot just a few feet from the action. You’ll see her on the sidelines for recruit757.

Mary Ann is a runner herself.   You can talk to her and know she loves sports.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you think you have what it takes to be a part of the recruit757 team, get in touch with us on the “Contact Us” page. You’ve got to have skills and you have to be able to do it for “the love of the game”! Without the hardworking folks you see listed above and many others, this website wouldn’t have become what it is and be on a path to many greater things….

There are many other unsung heroes on the recruit757.com team that like to remain that way. It takes a lot of work to keep this site up and filled with the latest news, photos and video on all of the football talent here in The 757. We want colleges to be able to come in here and recruit easily. We’re convinced that there’s a lot of talent here that could be recruited to play college ball. It’s our duty to make sure that the colleges know what they’re looking for when they come to the area.

If you’d like to support recruit757.com, tell your friends! If you own a business, consider advertising on recruit757.com. We’re 100% locally owned and operated, so your money spent advertising with the site goes directly to support your business and that money stays here in the Hampton Roads area. Thank you for your interest in local High School Football and thanks for checking out recruit757.com!