Most kids dream of playing college sports. It’s a dream that only comes true for a select few, and to be given the opportunity to earn a free education while playing the sport you love is a real honor. On Wednesday, the Fork Union Athletic Department held their National Signing Day ceremony, where four seniors and 3 post-graduates realized their dreams to play on the next level were coming true.

National Signing Day is a big day at Fork Union, whose reputation for sending players to the next level is second to none. The Post-Graduate team, led by longtime Head Coach John Shuman, had a total of 34 players sign on national signing day. Many of those players are already enrolled in the school of their choice but three of our players were here to participate in the ceremony. Post-graduate Tyler Beauchesne was the first person to sign on the dotted line on Wednesday. He will be playing at Sacred Heart University in Bridgeport, Connecticut next year. PG’s Max Valles and Tyrell Chavis both decided to attend The University of Virginia. For a complete list of the Post-Graduate Signees, see the attachment at the end of this article.

The Prep Team had a few nationally touted recruits this season. None were more sought after than Quarterback Christian Hackenberg, who finally put an end to questions about whether or not he would honor his verbal commitment to Penn State University. Ever since the Sandusky scandal broke last year, Christian has been bombarded with questions by reporters and recruiters about how the sanctions levied by the NCAA would affect his decision to play at Penn State. Now, those questions are irrelevant because as of Wednesday, Christian is officially a Nittany Lion.

Malcolm Cook decided to stick with his verbal commitment and join PG’s Valles and Chavis at the University of Virginia. There was some doubt weather Cook would sign with UVA after the firing of Defensive Coordinator Jim Reid, who recruited Malcolm. But in the end, Head Coach Mike London was able to seal the deal and convince Cook to become a Cavalier.

Wide Receiver Austin Stone verbally committed to Eastern Michigan University in August and he decided to honor that commitment by signing with them on Wednesday.

The final signee on Wednesday was Charlton Larkins, who didn’t even know he had an offer until a call came in late on Tuesday night. The last minute call came from Western Carolina University offering Charlton a spot on their Track and Field team as a thrower. Wednesday morning, with his parents by his side, he accepted the offer by signing his letter of intent.

National Signing Day is a big day in the lives of the players who signed. It is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication and it is very well deserved. However, it is important to remember that Signing Day is not the end of the journey, it’s the beginning. We look forward to watching these players’ collegiate careers as they enter into the long line of Fork Union Alumni to play on the next level.

Written By:
Chip Chace