Photoessay #486 - Signing Day 2002

In the softball forum, someone asked what to do for their daughter (or dd in softball talk) on her Signing Day. That means the day that the student athlete signs their Letter of Intent to play at a college. Only NCAA schools using the National Letter of Intent but it's not governed by the NCAA but by the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA). Basically, when an ahtlete is recruited by a NCAA (usually division 1 and 2) school, at some point that school asks for the commitment of the player.

Usually there are two agreements signed at the same time. One, the Letter of Intent, binds the student to the school. The other is the financial aid document which binds the scholarship money to the student. At that time, all other schools agree to stop recruiting that athlete, that athlete has 'signed'. There are only certain times that an athlete can sign a Letter of Intent and the university cannot comment on that recruit until they have signed. The Letter of Intent only has one sentence "I intend to attend the University of Oregon for the 2009-2010 academic year" or similar. If the athlete does NOT attend that school, then they must forfeit two years of playing eligibility unless they are released.

Students and families are eager to sign the LOI but the advantage is really to the recruiting university. If no scholarship is offered, usually no LOI.

But it can be a cause for celebration and acknowledgment. We had a small reception for Susanna's signing her Letter of Intent in a meeting room at the city hall of the our small city. She just wanted to invite her coaches and their families. She presented each one with a keychain from the school along with a personal letter. We decorated the room up with green and yellow and had refreshments. We laid out the scrapbooks and a video player showed the high school state championship game.

This picture shows Susanna holding her letter along with her coaches who attended. From left to right

John T (yes UCSers, AKA Pacman) who helped coach her high school and travel team
Tim W who coached her select soccer team
Roger B who coached her select softball team
Susanna
Kristie O who coached her high school softball team
Don D High school AD
Mindy D who helped coach high school soccer team

And, despite her hopes, she did not get any taller before she went to U Oregon the next year.