As the anticipation builds, student athletes eagerly await the upcoming signing that will change the trajectory of their lives forever.
According to Google, an athlete “signing is committing to a college or university by signing a legally binding agreement. This decision formally commits students to attend that institution and holds them accountable for playing their sport there.” It is a huge commitment in a young adult’s life. After years of hard work, dedication, and discipline, athletes deserve to be praised for their accomplishments and for all the time they spent on the activity they are passionate enough about to pursue.
Since this choice made by a young adult is so impactful, this day should be all about celebrating the athlete and their decision. While athletic signings may have many announcements made and banners posted, many of the student signings go unnoticed. People may feel they don’t get enough recognition for their accomplishments. This can undermine all their hard work, making their exciting decision feel less important. Audrey Mike, senior, expressed that while this is only her first year choosing to do lacrosse, that doesn’t mean she deserves any less appreciation than someone who has chosen to play a sport their entire life. On April 30, Mike will be signing for Mount Mercy for lacrosse. Mike said, “My family is coming, and a few of my friends are coming.” But Mike revealed that it would feel great to have more support and people cheering her on, whether that’s from her new teammates or people from the community.
But why is acknowledging a person’s choice of playing for a college team so important? Having lots of teammates or family members coming to support someone at their signing can help boost one’s self-esteem and validate their hard-earned success. Mike Manderscheid, the activities director, stated that timing is a huge factor for a good turnout at the events. Manderscheid said, “Usually it’s the kids communicating with their coach and/or teammates about getting people there…family members are more than welcome and a lot do attend.” Recognition can matter so much for these athletes because acknowledging all forms of success after graduation shows that every student’s future matters. It is not just athletes who deserve the spotlight, though. Other areas too, whether that’s joining the military, going to a trade school, getting a job or internship, or going for an academic education. “It is for anybody. Anybody going anywhere to do anything… It’s for anyone who’s going to go out and potentially do an activity in college,” said Manderscheid. The school does its best to include everyone in the signings, including more than a few popular sports.
Being gifted in a sport doesn’t come naturally for everyone. People put time, effort, and dedication into their activity. Even people who are considered “naturally good” still have to put in the determination to be noticed by college recruiters. Manderscheid said, “The overall well-roundedness of a kid is really what colleges are looking for…college coaches are looking at how those kids interact with teammates at practices and how they compete.” The bottom line is, whether one has done something their whole life or has only just begun, everyone at these signings has earned their place and deserves to have some appreciation for it.
Student signings are more than ink on a piece of paper; they are about what one is choosing to commit to in the near future. They mark the point in a young person’s life where they start making decisions for themselves and taking control of their own path. After all the effort, sweat, and some tears shed, every student deserves to feel some pride and get their moment in the spotlight.