Fairfield Star Players Sign for Bright Futures
9 senior athletes ink National Letter of Intent on signing day
Tribal Tribune staff
Student-athletes contribute years of their lives to their sports: their passions. One way that the dedication, the hard work, and the blood, sweat and tears can all pay off is on National Signing Day. National Signing Day has traditionally been the first day that a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent for a collegiate sport with a school that is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
On Nov. 8, nine Fairfield students from four different sports were given the opportunity to sign, and participated in a ceremony held in the high school’s community room. The signing was hosted by Athletic Director Aaron Blankenship and Assistant Athletic Director Jeff Sims. Coaches introduced their players and each athlete spoke at the event:
* AARON ENGLAND – Baseball
College: Louisville
Position: Left-handed Pitcher
Years on Varsity: 3
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Why did you pick this school?“Top 25 baseball program with great schooling as well as a good environment to succeed.”
* JILLIAN HUEY – Softball
College: University of Rio Grande
Position: Shortstop/Pitcher
Years on Varsity: 4
Major: Sports and Exercise Studies
Why did you pick this school? “Felt like home. Players and coaches welcomed me with open arms. My program is one of the top at the school. Not only will I excel as a player, but as a student too.”
* AUSTIN HUEY – Baseball
College: University of Rio Grande
Position: Outfield/Pitcher
Years on Varsity: 2
Major: Sports and Exercise Studies
Why did you pick this school? “(For the) small class size, nice facilities, and coaches were welcoming.”
(Note: Austin and Jillian are twins!)
* KIMBERLIN SAMPLES – Basketball
College: Wheeling University
Position: Wing, Forward
Years on Varsity: 4
Major: Exercise Science/ Physical Therapy
Why did you pick this school? “I picked the school for the Physical Therapy program. I also chose the school based on my conversations with Coach Anna, her philosophy, the team dynamics, and her belief in my ability.”
* LUCAS DAVIDS – Baseball
College: Lake Erie College
Position: Pitcher
Years on Varsity: 3
Major: Undecided
Why did you pick this school? “(I) loved the coaching staff. (I) feel I could be developed very well.”
* JAMIN SAWYER – Baseball
College: Otterbein University
Position: Catcher
Years on Varsity: 1
Major: Criminal Justice and Pre-Law
Why did you pick this school? “Good academic school and a good baseball program. Coaches stood out and were everything I wanted in a college coaching staff.”
* ABBY STANFIELD – Softball
College: Lourdes University
Position: 2nd and 3rd
Years on Varsity: 4
Major: Nursing
Why did you pick this school?“Because the coaches were really good to me and it’s such a big nursing school and perfect for me. It’s just the perfect size and not too big.”
* MACKENZIE CHANCE – Soccer
College: Indiana University East
Position: Midfield
Years on Varsity: 3
Major: Possibly Biology
Why did you pick this school?“I like the environment and how small it is. It seemed like the right fit for me.”
* KYRA POSEY- Soccer
College: Purdue Fort Wayne University
Position: Midfield
Years on Varsity: 4
Major: Biology
Why did you pick this school? “The coach was very welcoming and the campus was the perfect size for me. I fell in love with it the second I got there.”
Congratulations to all nine of our first round of signing athletes. Division I football’s early signing period begins Dec. 20. The regular signing period starts Feb. 7. A final signing day ceremony will be held during the spring of 2024.
To see and download photos of the ceremony, visit bit.ly/FFFallSigningDay23.
