Signing Day
May 11, 2010
Filed under Student Life, Top Stories
Sheldon Esdelle-Blackburn, Chris Copeland, and Ryan Williams prepare to sign their National Letter of Intent to various college and universities.
By: Ashlie Hendricks
Signing day has come upon us and boys Ryan Williams and Chris Copeland have chosen their schools. Signing day is the first day a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent, a commitment to a College, for athletics. Williams signed to Temple Junior College in Temple and Copeland to Concordia University in Austin.
Williams chose Temple Junior College because it seemed like a good fit and he was offered a full ride scholarship for athletics. His room and board, books, and tuition are all paid for. Williams also had the choices of Navarro College and McKinlen College but he liked the closeness of Temple.
“I’d like to stay close to my mom for when she needs me or I get home sick,” Williams said.
On March 26th two weeks before the signing Williams went to visit Temple’s campus with the coach of the Leopards Basketball Team as a personal tour guide. He met the players of the team and liked that they have a good record; going 30 and 0 last season.
“I would be a good fit for the team and take them to championship games,” Williams said.
Copeland had two offers from both University of Texas at Tyler and University of Concordia. He chose Concordia because he liked the campus and the atmosphere of Austin. Copeland also likes that Concordia is more in the woods and away from it all. He didn’t like UT Tyler as much because it was more in the country. One other reason Copeland chose Concordia is because his cousin is graduating from there so he knows a bit about the college from him.
“My cousin went there (to Concordia) so I already had a feel for the college,” Copeland said.
Copeland got a tour of the campus by Stan Bonewitz coach of the Tornados Basketball Team. He got an academic scholarship because Concordia is a private school and doesn’t give many athletic scholarships. He will still be receiving help with his financial aid.
“I am thankful I have my mom to help get all the details of my scholarship and help prepare me for college life,” Copeland said.
The boys signed Thursday April the 8th and are prepared to start at these schools during the 2010 fall term. It’s a bittersweet farewell but we are happy to see our boys going further in their education and ready to take the next step in life.
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