by Isai Carmona | sports editor
With roughly seven percent of high school athletes playing college sports, less than two percent representing division one schools, playing sports in college is an idea overlooked by many people.
Senior Samuel Ojuade however, has committed to play two and a half hours away.
“Football at Texas A&M Kingsville,” Ojuade said. “There were more, but I ended up choosing Kingsville. There were multiple reasons going into it, the cost, if it felt fitting for me.”
Ojuade signed a letter of intent on February 2.
“A letter of intent is committing to the school of your choice on a signing day,” Ojuade said.
Letters of intent give secondary school students the chance to take part in college athletics, but this letter means more than scholarship. When a student signs a letter of intent, they commit their talents to the college of their choice for one full school year. If conflicts arise, the player can choose to break the contract. These letters also have a designated time for signing. If they do not send the letter back within seven days, it will be invalid.
A very important factor that took place was less about the sport and focused more on Ojuade’s education.
“The family felt pretty good about it,” Ojuade said. “Being able to secure a college for four years with the cost being paid for is pretty good: as in they are proud of that.”
Still, letters of intent provide students with the opportunity to provide for their education while doing what they love. Ojuade is thankful for everyone who helped him get to playing the pigskin sport at the college level.
“The coaches were really excited getting me on-campus,” Ojuade said. “All my coaches – Rittimann, Sotto, Miller – all those coaches helped me get there.”
Senior Sierra McDermed, ranked 78 in Texas high school basketball, has signed for Vasser College in Poughkeepsie, NY this fall. McDermed, knowing the amount of responsibility this will add to her college life, is ready to take on the challenge.
“I think everybody, sports wise, makes a transition to find a balance once they get in,” McDermed said. “Like, the first couple weeks will be tough, but then the team surrounds you and other people who have gone through to help you find your own balance and rhythm.”
Although McDermed will be spending her time studying 28 hours away, her coaches and family could not be more supportive.
“They were excited. They were happy I was choosing a school that fit my program, and fit what I wanted to do,” McDermed said. “My family is very supportive and happy. All my relatives were laughing and excited for me, just excited for what the future holds.”
