With the traditional school year canceled for the foreseeable future, student-athletes have dealt with cancellations for their signing day festivities.  Many have sought solutions in the new virtual solutions of today, like Zoom and Google hangouts. But is that really a replacement for the signing day tradition of the past? 

Seniors who have decided to commit to college teams in between the winter season and spring season have been eagerly anticipating their signing day. Every year Perry high holds these special signing day ceremonies to celebrate each individual senior’s career in high school and their advancement to the level of collegiate athletics.

Jennifer Burks, Perry’s Athletic Director, commented on how the COVID-19 situation has changed the formula for how the typical Perry signing day ” Most will be doing some sort of virtual signing, some are doing this through Zoom, others have been on Instagram, some will just post photos on Twitter or other social media sites ”. 

But with most athletes signing before the beginning of the outbreak, the number of athletes committing haven’t been affected, and according to Burks “The ones who were planning on signing in April are still on that path.” Many have posted pictures of at-home signing days, accompanied with DIY banners and picnic tables. 

The cancellation and quarantine have also affected an integral piece in how athletes are signing as well, according to Ikaika Maldonado, a senior Wrestler who’s signed with Western Colorado University, “I had to commit without being able to physically see what any of the campuses looked like.” Campus life is an important piece in making the college decision, not just for athletes. “I miss it, I wish I could express a lot more and relate to my peers more.” 

COVID-19 may have robbed many seniors of the final quarter of their year, but it’s not stopping athletes from committing to colleges and moving to the next level of competition.