Blue Devil Senior Stars Commit to College Teams

It was a really big deal when a dozen beaming Huntington High School senior athletic stars participated in a Commitment Day signing ceremony in the main lobby, celebrating with family, teammates and coaches their future plans for college sports and higher education.

Before a 20 foot long Blue Devil backdrop, the seniors and their families sat at a table adorned on either side by blue and white balloons and covered with a Huntington tablecloth. Wearing the apparel of their chosen college the seniors participated in a mock signing indicating their commitment to play their respective sport for their chosen school.

The Blue Devil seniors included Sabrina Boyle (Binghamton University; women’s lacrosse), Jenna Italiano (Molloy University; women’s lacrosse), Devon St. John (Cornell University; women’s lacrosse), Harrison Uvena (SUNY Oswego; baseball), Sophia Weiss (Utica College; field hockey), Luca Cuozzo (University of Massachusetts Amherst; men’s lacrosse), Timothy McDonald (Siena College; men’s lacrosse), Thomas Smith (Vassar College; men’s lacrosse), Max Leroy (SUNY Geneseo; men’s swimming and diving), Colin Lennon (Siena College; men’s lacrosse), Thomas Kline (Loyola University Maryland; men’s lacrosse) and Parker Wands (Lenoir-Rhyne University; men’s lacrosse).

The Blue Devil Dozen were recruited by dozens of colleges and universities across the country before they made their final selections. They participated in official visits to campuses, met college coaches and players and investigated course offerings and areas of study before announcing their commitments.

“We couldn’t be prouder of these remarkable young men and women who have worn their Blue Devil uniforms with pride and distinction,” Huntington Superintendent Beth McCoy. “It’s wonderful they will be able to continue playing the sports they love while earning a college degree. They are all role models for our underclassmen. They will always have a home here in Huntington.”

Like their son or daughter, parents were also clothed in hats, shirts and sweatshirts in the colors and markings of their child’s college. Some seniors took photos with their club coaches. Huntington coaches and teammates also posed with the Blue Devil Dozen as did Principal Rochelle Brown.

Each of the senior athletes had their own individual and personal reasons for choosing their respective college. “I chose SUNY Oswego because of its business program and its competitive baseball program,” Mr. Uvena said. “On my visit, I also enjoyed the coach and the town outside of the campus. I plan on studying business administration.”

Ms. McCoy was joined in offering her best wishes by Deputy Superintendent Christopher Hender and Assistant Superintendents Brenden Cusack and Dr. Rubie Harris. All have been notable supporters and fans of the Blue Devils.

The recruiting process can be emotionally taxing, but the Huntington seniors navigated through it well.