It’s an exciting time for high school athletes as they take the next big step in their athletic careers. The moment when they sign with their chosen colleges is a celebration of their hard work, dedication, and talent. This significant milestone not only marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, but also showcases the opportunities and dreams that await them at the collegiate level.
This week four seniors from the football team celebrated signing to their perspective colleges in a ceremony with the entire Cardozo Varsity Football Team. Sean O’Connor, coach of varsity football, organized the whole event. Not only was the entire football team in attendance, but also the senior’s parents.
The four seniors who signed with colleges are Josiah Auguste, who will be attending Alfred State College, Nathaniel Morgan, going to Wagner College, Jakeel Johnson, signing to Morrisville State University, and Peter Martucci going to Western Connecticut State University.
Demetrius Deshields, a junior on the football team and defensive tackle, said, “It feels great knowing they’ve achieved some of their dreams and they’ve put in all the hard work and it paid off. I’m just happy for them in general.”
This shows how supportive the whole team is and the thoughtfulness that is applied to their teammates. Deshields said that watching his friends sign gives him some hope for his own college future.
“Well, it’s not guaranteed, but hopefully, prayerfully, it will happen, and hopefully I will be signing to a college,” he explained. The dedication that is put into this game is absolutely astounding and if all the players continue to put in the hard work. we can hopefully see them again at the signing next year.
Coach O’Connor was proud of his players, sharing, “It’s great for the program, but it’s also great for these guys because of all the hard work and dedication they’ve put in over the last 2-3 years.”
As a coach it’s always something special to see your players moving on to the next level in something they love. Coach O’Connor said he has college coaches come to the games to see the senior players, too.
“Many of these guys have been with the program since we’ve come back in full throttle or full speed after the COVID year,” he continued. “To see them mature year after year and accomplish their goals to be able to go into that next level of playing is an honor for them. But it’s also something that I hold very dear because I know how much effort and work they put in to get to that point.”
“For us, we have college coaches who come to visit the school. We’ve maintained or have created relationships through networks working here at Cardozo to reach out to those coaches through versions of social media and email, and then elevate it into phone conversations with them when they have an interest in some of the players,” he recalled.
“There is a pretty close-knit network, and the familiarity with it can be extensive, but it’s also rewarding when the boys get what they want. It goes from providing films on the, I could say, X account or formerly Twitter.” From there, coaches oftentimes reach out to the Cardozo coaches during the offseason and they choose to see specific players based on films they have posted from practices and games.
The fact that they go above and beyond for these players’ futures is so inspiring and that’s what allows them to keep going and enjoying the sport no matter where it takes them.
When asked what advice Coach O’Connor has for players in the upcoming season, he said, “One word, work. Don’t be afraid to work. But the main word for them is work. I’ll leave it very simple. Work, work, work.”