NORFOLK, Va. — High school auditoriums throughout the area were busy Wednesday afternoon. Football prospects took the stage as family, friends, administrators and fellow students filled the seats. Offers have been received, commitments made, minds changed, options considered, now it's time to put pen to paper.
National Signing Day is the final step before packing and moving in a student athlete's decision on where to play next. The sights are familiar. Hats, shirts and balloons adorned with school colors abound. Each school presents something slightly different, but most follow a similar blueprint.
While signing day's are familiar, the list of next destinations varies. From Syracuse to Norfolk State, Old Dominion, Shenandoah University and Alabama A&T, among others, the school names congregate from all over straight onto the letters of intent that sit in front of prospects.
Also watching the festivities? Freshman, sophomore and junior teammates of the stars on stage. Younger siblings populate the crowd as well. The next generation further motivated by what they see onstage. As college sports evolve, signing day adjusts but remains, a major milestone in student athlete's journeys.