Stateside Success: The Growing US College Pathway for TGS Boys

A Parent's Perspective: From Blue & Gold to Bowling Green

For the TGS boys that take the trip to the United States, their pathways are diverse, but they share a common foundation: the support, discipline and belief built on the 52 acres that is our 150-year-old campus.

For past TGS mum, Adele Spurgin, the journey from watching her boys run out in the blue and gold of Toowoomba Grammar School to seeing them play together in the orange and brown strip of Bowling Green State University’s Falcons was nothing short of extraordinary. It all unfolded a hemisphere away, where athleticism and academia truly met.

"It was fairly surreal," Adele says. "They still refer to that year together as probably one of the best of their lives."

College life brought challenges - harsh winters, academic expectations, life far from home - but having each other made all the difference. Adele explains that the support they shared beyond basketball was as meaningful as anything they achieved on the court. Their companionship, she says, was every mother's dream.

What made the journey even more remarkable was that it began slowly. The boys originally played a mix of sports; cricket, soccer and later basketball and the idea of a US pathway didn't take shape until they saw older TGS students heading overseas. "Seeing somebody above them do what they could potentially do" opened their eyes to a new possibility.

As the boys pursued their goal, Adele says there was excellent support from the School, particularly as they navigated academic requirements and built the discipline needed to succeed overseas. "Everybody just started rallying behind them... it was all hands on deck," she says.

One of the most special milestones is yet to come: the moment both boys cross the graduation stage together in the US. After Jason deferred his walk to coincide with his brother Greg’s actual graduation at the Ohio-based University. "You couldn't script that," Adele smiles. "It wouldn't even make it onto a vision board."

The Spurgin Brothers: Built on TGS Foundations

Adele's pride is reflected in the words of her sons, who both credit the TGS basketball program for shaping their journeys.

Jason Spurgin (TGS 2015-19)
Southern Utah University / Bowling Green State University, NCAA Div. 1 / Sydney Kings, NBL)

"Looking back at what the TGS basketball program has done for me, as a player and a person, it has been nothing but great."

Greg Spurgin (TGS 2015-20)
Westminster College, NCAA Div. 2 / Bowling Green State University, NCAA Div. 1:

"A culture that allows excellence to thrive has been created by the coaching staff and the program."

Their success is still unfolding but sees a journey from the TGS courts to US colleges and in Jason's case, earning College Sports Communications Academic All‑District honours and a signing with the Sydney Kings.

For Greg, he too played top tier college basketball and will soon graduate with a physics degree with an astronomy minor. What they have both achieved stands as a powerful example of what is possible when opportunity meets hard work.

While the Spurgin brothers carved their path through basketball, another young Old Boy found his opportunity on the football field.

Taking the Leap: Life and Soccer at Pratt Community College

For 2024 graduate Harry Lester, the US college dream once felt far out of reach. "Growing up at Grammar I was always in the Bs for football," he says. But a strong First XI season sparked belief. "I knew that if I put my mind to it, I can do anything."

Harry committed to Pratt Community College in Kansas, a decision he calls "the best I've ever made."

He found his opportunity through an agency and soon settled into the demanding rhythm of US college sport. His busiest days begin at 5:30am with gym sessions, followed by classes, more training and evenings spent studying or unwinding with his teammates.

The level of competition is significantly higher. "In my opinion it's definitely very difficult and tough - a step up from Firsts for sure," he says. The conference (or competition) he plays in is one of the toughest in JUCO Soccer, as it's known in the US.

The cultural experience has been just as rich. His team includes players from at least seven nationalities and the camaraderie in a small town like Pratt has been a standout.

Academically, the workload fluctuates - "College algebra is not for the faint of heart," he admits - but the support around him has made the transition manageable.

Harry's proudest moment so far was seeing his parents in the crowd. "It's weird looking at the stands and not seeing Dad," he says. "So, when they came, I knew it would be a good day."

He credits the TGS First XI program for preparing him for this challenge. "The gym sessions were intense and the training was consistent. They helped give me the confidence to take on the next level."

His advice to younger TGS boys is simple:

"I would sincerely recommend the college pathway. You can work towards your degree while playing at a high level."

Would he recommend the experience overall?

TGS Old Boys Making Their Mark In US College Sport

By Steve Fryer, Director of Co‑Curricular Activities

For generations, Toowoomba Grammar School has been a place where ambition meets opportunity. Today, that tradition is stronger than ever as an increasing number of TGS students secure places at leading US colleges, pursuing both academic excellence and high‑performance sport across football, tennis, basketball and athletics.

What was once a rare pathway for Australian schoolboys has now become an exciting and achievable option for many of our graduates. Their success comes from a powerful combination: world‑class facilities, exceptional coaching and the consistently high standard of GPS competition that prepares young athletes to thrive on the international stage.

For TGS Old Boys, the US system has opened doors to:

• International‑level coaching and competition
• Scholarships at prestigious universities
• Professional sporting pathways
• Academic qualifications that set them up for life beyond sport

As more students follow this pathway, they inspire the next generation of Grammar athletes. With the right support, hard work and belief, the world truly is within reach.

Insights From the Head of Sport: Understanding the US College Pathway

By Kabe Cicolini, Head of Sport

According to TGS Head of Sport, Kabe Cicolini, many families still underestimate just how broad and accessible the US college system can be.

For a long time, he explains, people assumed the pathway was only for the absolute elite, the Division I programs seen on television.

In reality, opportunities exist across three levels of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), two levels within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), two tiers of Junior College programs (JUCO) and even Canadian institutions - each offering different combinations of sport, study and scholarship support.

Basketball, football and tennis have been the most common pathways for TGS boys, with strong representation across multiple levels since 2011. Some are scouted directly; others use networks or recruiting agencies and all benefit from the strong reputation built by past TGS athletes who compete in the high-level GPS competition.

Academic eligibility is critical. Maths counts from Year 9 and certain subjects determine whether boys can qualify for college levels. The School works closely with students on subject choices, training loads and academic support to ensure every option remains open.

Cost varies dramatically between institutions, with many larger Division I programs offering full scholarships that include tuition, accommodation and allowances. Other colleges may offer partial support or tuition only. Importantly, Kabe encourages families to explore all levels before assuming the US is out of reach.

"If you don't explore, you won't know," he says. "You need some skin in the game; but we've seen many boys pick up far more support than they expected."

Ultimately, he says, the pathway is strengthened by the School's culture, relationships and strong GPS competition. "It gives TGS boys a genuine competitive edge."

Conclusion: A Pathway Growing Stronger Every Year

The recent achievements of Jason and Greg Spurgin in US college basketball, alongside Harry Lester's success in US college football, are the latest chapter in a much broader story unfolding at the School. Their journeys follow in the footsteps of numerous TGS boys who have already pursued opportunities abroad in basketball, football, tennis and swimming, to name just a few.

Together, these young men demonstrate that international pathways, once considered uncommon, are now realistic and increasingly well‑travelled options for Toowoomba Grammar athletes.

This growth has been driven by the thoughtful leadership of our Co‑curricular team led by Steve Fryer, the deep sporting expertise of our Head of Sport, Kabe Cicolini and the essential planning support provided by the Careers Department under Anthea Richters.

Their combined guidance ensures that families and boys, who aspire to study and compete overseas, receive the academic advice, athletic preparation and long‑term planning needed to turn ambition into opportunity.

Summarised perfectly by parent Adele Spurgin, who urges families to stay curious and courageous on this pathway, "don't let the mindset of 'I don't know how this works' become a blockage. Go in with an open mind, ask questions and have a crack” she says.