Sign on the Line

By Alyssa Tompkins

The end of the year is rapidly approaching, and for seniors, this is a period of great importance. At this time, many students apply and get accepted to college. Capital High has many students who have signed an athletic letter of intent. Many seniors who sign keep their signing in a more private setting because they want to solidify their future with a school while they are surrounded by loved ones and college faculty. CHS Senior Peyton Witham signed with Cornell University for his skill in playing baseball. Similarly, Senior Matt Krieger signed with University of Mary in North Dakota for baseball. Signing a Letter of Intent with a college is a huge accomplishment for a student-athlete, one that showcases impressive athletic talents. Both Witham and Krieger played Helena Legion Baseball since they were young.

According to the National Junior College Athletic Association, “Anytime you sign an LOI (Letter of Intent) with an NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) member college, you are committing to that school for the terms of the contract covering one academic year. You are committing to that school just as the school is committing to you by offering you an LOI. By signing the LOI, you are now an unrecruitable student-athlete. As an unrecruitable student-athlete, you are not permitted to have any contact with any other NJCAA member college’s athletic department staff or representative.” In simpler terms, when a student signs a Letter of Intent, they are committing to a school and promising that they, as a student-athlete, will not be participating in any sports with another college. According to the NJCAA, about 80% of high school seniors who sign with colleges are signing for athletic reasons.