The life of a college senior is usually predicated on a time of ease as another chapter of schooling comes to a close. Thoughts of prom and other integral events flourish throughout the year until acceptance letters file in around spring. For some the choice is simple. Others may be pressured by legacy or cost, but the excitement assuredly blankets any stress once a commitment is made. If any other feelings of trepidation do arise the comfort of knowing the rest of one’s peer group are going through the same thing make them fleeting at best.
Conversely, imagine the life of a star athlete. Sometimes as early as freshman year adults begin to evaluate talent and start making contact. By junior year the athlete’s name is loaded into a database of various scouting services that apply a star or numbered rating based on that talent at their respective position. Disregarding the addition or promise of improper benefits that sometimes go along with attracting a young man to a university. The sheer amount of attention, calls, and visits make for a dizzying experience. A senior year that should be focused on having a few last hoorahs becomes a life altering experience come February 1st.
Exacerbating this pressure now is the unprecedented access to these young men. No one wants to be left behind in social media. Therefore, upon signing up for the various outlets like Facebook, Twitter, etc a tide of fans wielding as much as a smart phone will be able to try to vie for communication. One abhorrent result is the overwhelming wave of nastiness these “fans” exhibit if said recruit decides to change their mind on the way to National Signing Day. Sadly, a recruit doesn’t even need to change their mind for this to happen. Simply picking one school over another on their short list bring an unwelcomed uproar. In the past a few curse words toward an audience of one would suffice. Now many are firing their frustration directly.
Football should be fun. What breaks the heart oddly contributes to that, whether it be a loss or whiffing on a blue chip. The anxiety that football causes is the draw. However, the slew of feelings that come with the sport should never be so irresponsibly subjected on an athlete because they made a disagreeable choice. As Hokie fans the bar seems invisibly higher. The fanbase is highly regarded for its accommodating and pleasant nature. It therefore came as a complete shock as I witnessed our fans, MY HOKIES, openly bashing a recent recruit who chose one school over us recently.
Trust in Beamer. Many are heralding Shane as this years “it” factor in recruiting. He has certainly invigorated the staff and added a level of detail in the process not yet seen. At the end of the day however it’s the dedication of the entire staff to bring top talent to Lane. And boy have they been. Their body of work thus far already speaks volumes. With NSD looming within a week’s time everyone is at the edge of their seat in anticipation. A consensus of three in state players seem to be the final gauge to an otherwise successful recruiting class. Whatever their decision though (pick VT! Pick VT!) it is ultimately their own. Hopefully come February 1 all previous commits, and those in waiting, proudly adorn that VT hat. If not, best of luck to them.
