By Steve Brand
Letters of Intent took on a new meaning the first Wednesday in February with the first National Signing Day event at the San Diego Hall of Champions
A steady parade of the highest-quality athletes in the county made their way to the podium to announce they were signing with schools like the University of California, Washington, Michigan, Hofstra and Arizona State, not to mention the University of San Diego and San Diego State.
D’Angelo Barksdale of Eastlake High was the first. He arrived just after 6 a.m., before the sun could get itself up, smiling but nervous about a decision that would affect him at least the next four years.
Four hours later, Point Loma High’s All-CIF first team linebacker Anthony Joyner was the last, wrapping up almost 30 student/athletes, boys and girls, who played everything from field hockey to football.
For some, it meant as much as a full scholarship, where at an institution like Stanford University was worth upwards of $52,000 a year.
Football drew the most attention from the numerous media outlets that took full advantage of the collection of stars who paraded into the Hall of Champions throughout the morning.
Barksdale proudly announced he would be going to nearby University of San Diego and Joyner signed his letter and quickly faxed it off to New Mexico State.
In between, Scripps Ranch running back/wide receiver Brennan Clay confirmed he would join mid-semester enrollees Kenny Stills (La Costa Canyon) and Anthony Jefferson (Eastlake) at the University of Oklahoma; Point Loma running back Leslie Rogers, Madison quarterback Lester Fontenette, and Lincoln DB Davon Dunn and WR Victor Dean all are headed to Fresno State and another Pointer, DE-TE Jordan Sparkman, signed with UNLV. Helix High wide receiver Sean Linton made his choice of San Jose State official.
It wasn’t just the large schools, either, as Christian High’s prolific kicker Michael Gruber came in to sign with the University of Nebraska (Kearney). Then there was Zach Brickell who came all the way from Fallbrook to give the University of Nevada (Reno) his official letter.
Francis Parker QB Deon Randall and lineman Wes Gavin went to the fax machine to let Yale University know they were coming as did St. Augustine’s sure-handed WR Dana Barbaro, who signed with Dartmouth. The Ivy League does not give athletic scholarships.
Just as many athletes from sports other than football shared their decisions and excitement headed by the San Diego’s Section’s water polo Player of the Year, Collin Smith of Carlsbad, who will attend the University of California (Berkeley).
“It was a tough decision, but it just felt right at Cal,” said Smith, who had also been heavily recruited by UCLA. “Basically, the two schools were dead even but it just felt more comfortable at Cal.”
Asked about the call he had to make to UCLA, he said, “that was hard but easier for them because they’ve dealt with that before.”
Megan Morgan, who led Torrey Pines to the section’s first-ever state girls cross country title in Division I and the first in any division since 2001, made it official by signing with the University of Washington.
San Pasqual High field hockey standouts Alohilani Ornellas (University of Pacific) and Mallory Albini (University of Michigan) came down together to make their decisions official along with Torrey Pines’ Stephanie Cowles (Hofstra).
Olympic Development National team member Devin Marshall of Christian High, who has already played in traditionally soccer-crazy Brazil, signed her letter to attend Arizona State University. Aklong the way she may up playing against the University of Michigan where Point Loma’s Shelby Murphy signed.
Athletes, coaches, parents and media members agreed it was an exciting morning at the historic San Diego Hall of Champions.
KUSI’s Rick Willis interviews SDHOC President Al Kidd
KUSI’s Rick Willis speaks with Pt. Loma Pointers Jordan Sparkman (UNLV) and Leslie Rogers (Fresno St.) about their college choices.
KUSI: Eagles soar, Lancers go Ivy League, Pirates board SDSU ship
KUSI SDHOC Video Tour part I
KUSI SDHOC Video Tour part II
KUSI SDHOC Video Tour part III
KUSI SDHOC Video Tour part IV
Posted on February 4, 2010 by Christian Deleon
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