By Tim Peterson
(El Monte) – The roller coaster ride is finally over for Manny Acosta. The three sport star from South El Monte has signed to attend Cal State Los Angeles after receiving a scholarship offer to play baseball. Acosta announced his decision on the Mid Valley Sports Show Tuesday night.
“I’m really excited. My dad went to Cal State LA also so he’s excited as well,” Acosta said.
As recently as last week Cal State LA wasn’t even in the picture. If you read last week’s program from the Hall of Fame football game, Acosta was going to Cal State Northridge.
Northridge did recruit Acosta before eventually pulling out. The Matadors wanted Acosta to spend a year at East LA College before coming in.
Cal State Fullerton was also in the picture but “They said I wasn’t athletic enough,” Acosta said.
“I worked too hard to go to a junior college,” said Acosta who carried a 3.7 grade point average in high school. “I wanted to go to a four year college.”
UCLA courted Acosta earlier this year but the Bruins interest faded in the last few weeks.
“They just stopped calling,” said Manuel Acosta Sr.
Then Acosta considered the University of La Verne where South El Monte teammate Jose Garay is going to play football in the fall. Acosta even submitted an online application and probably would have ended up there if Cal State LA had not called.
“I could have played football and baseball there. They really wanted me to go there and it would have been cool to play with Jose. But it all worked out,” Acosta said.
Finally late last week Cal State LA called, Acosta worked out for them over the weekend and the coaches liked what they saw. Acosta made it official Monday.
“I was an Eagle in high school and I’ll be a Golden Eagle in college,” Acosta said.
Even though Acosta starred in baseball, basketball and football at South deciding on baseball full time was an easy decision.
“Baseball has always been my sport. You can throw a ball, you can catch a ball and you can hit a ball. I’ve always felt comfortable playing baseball. I just felt that it was my best opportunity for the future,” Acosta added.
Acosta will move on campus in August before starting classes in September.
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