There are few better highlights for athletes and their parents than national signing day when players sign letters-of-intent to continue their careers in college.
The day marks a culmination for not only the athletes but for the parents who've likely spent years shuffling their children to practices, buying them sports equipment, encouraging their successes and supporting them emotionally when the games didn't turn out in their favor. But like everything else during covid-19, the early signing period that began last week was odd.
I was at Fayetteville, where tables scattered across the court at Bulldog Arena resembled a jobs fair or Farmer's Market on a Saturday morning. There were balloons of all colors and signs of encouragement appeared throughout as athletes posed for pictures with family and friends.
Everyone wore masks and followed the rules. We need more of that, for sure.
Of the 13 Fayetteville signees, the headliner for me was Rosana Hicks, an all-state volleyball player who signed a Division I scholarship with Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Mich. I assumed there had to be some kind of previous connection between a high school player from Fayetteville and a college located 220 miles from the border of Canada.
Apparently not.
"Central Michigan connected with me at the beginning of September and I just knew from the first conversation with the coaches this is where I wanted to be," said Hicks, a power hitter who led Fayetteville to the Class 6A state championship as a senior. "Even though I haven't been to Central Michigan just yet, I just clicked with them and I've already connected with some of my future teammates through Instagram and social media. I know I'm going to love it in Mount Pleasant (Mich.)."
So, that's the way it is in 2020, folks. Virtual tours of campuses and connections with future teammates on Instagram and other social media platforms. It's the safest way, for sure, especially with cases of covid-19 spiking in different areas of the country.
I left Bulldog Arena thinking how fortunate Hicks and her teammates who won a state championship were to even play this season. This was before we learned the next day a covid-19 outbreak at Bentonville West forced the Wolverines to forfeit their scheduled playoff game with Little Rock Catholic at Wolverine Stadium. That's a terrible way to end the season, especially for the seniors who won't get another opportunity.
The football and volleyball seasons were seriously in doubt for the longest time after team sports in March, including some state finals in basketball, were canceled because of covid-19 concerns. Team sports were finally allowed to resume in June and activities for high school athletes picked up in August under directives from Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Health.
Hicks said she remained optimistic throughout the process and the uncertainty of the situation brought Fayetteville's volleyball team closer together.
"Even if we didn't have a season, I knew I was going to connect with my teammates no matter what," said Hicks, who led Fayetteville to a 21-1 record. "But having this season was definitely life-changing, even through covid. Blood, sweat, and tears, that's what every girl on this team gave. Our passion for the game is definitely what drove us to win the state championship."
Hicks' attitude is what you love about young people. Vibrant and optimistic in even the worst of circumstances.
So, Hicks' future after high school begins at Central Michigan, home of the Chippewas. Others who signed at Fayetteville on Wednesday will scatter throughout the country in places like Houston, Gilbert, Ariz., Pueblo, Colo., and Florence, Ala.
Even in the upheaval of covid-19 for high school seniors, one certainty remains: Signing day, it's a beautiful thing.
Rick Fires can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWARick.