By: Alexis LeMieux

When Bellbrook seniors step on their college campus next year, life will be a big change, to their academics, to their daily lifestyles, and to those Bellbrook seniors applicable, their athleticism.

When a student athlete commits to a sport at a particular college, they are agreeing to play throughout their college years. Once committed, they can no longer apply to any other colleges, and are expected to withdraw any current applications.

But, how does a student start with the college sport commitment process?

For Bellbrook High School athletic director Charlie O’Dell, his role in the process is very limited.

“Occasionally, college coaches will contact me, or more often the high school coaches, just to ask their opinion on the student athletes,” O’Dell said.

For senior Lainey Schleich, who will play golf at Ohio Northern University in the fall, the process wasn’t all that difficult.

“I contacted the golf coach and told him some information about me,” Schleich said. “Next, he called me and was happy that I reached out. He told me to come visit ONU for a tour, and to meet him and some of the players. When I made my decision, I told the coach that I would be attending ONU next fall, and he said he was looking forward to this journey with me.”

But when it comes to preparations for the signing night at the high school, it’s just a bit more work.

“The big thing is that (Bellbrook High School Athletic Secretary) Mrs. Pettit and I work on making a folder for each kid that has the school’s logo on it with a mock letter in there,” O’Dell said. “A lot of it is the kids will fill out a Google form. This will have the information on it, and I’ll just make a script out of that. Mrs. Pettit works on the folders, and then after that, it’s just getting the gym set up.”

Now that the seniors have signed their commitments, what’s next?

Senior Caitlyn Hansen will go to Indiana University Indianapolis to play soccer next fall. “I decided to go to IUI because it has a really good science program, and I want to major in environmental science,” Hansen said. “I’m excited for the future, and just as excited to see where the sport and my major will take me. And hopefully, I can leave a legacy behind.”

“I decided to go to ONU because it had one of the best engineering programs out of all of the schools I toured,” Schleich said. “It is also a smaller school, so the professors get to know all of the students personally, which will be very helpful for me to ask lots of questions when I need extra help.

My goal when I start college is to find a good routine and schedule that allows me to balance school work and golf practice in a way that I can succeed in both,” Schleich said.

To play college sports, you must have a wide variety of skills and talents. So, when did Hansen and Schleich begin their athletic careers?

“I’ve played soccer since I was 4, and it’s been my life, from club to high school,” Hansen said. “It’s just such a fun sport, and meeting all sorts of different people, and building relationships with teammates and coaches has been the best experience of my life.”

These skills can help the smooth transition from high school into the college level.

“I felt very comfortable about attending ONU after getting advice from a Bellbrook graduate on the ONU women’s golf team and learning what her experience has been like there,” Schleich said. “I started getting more serious about golf in high school, and then I just fell in love with the sport, and I knew I wanted to continue competing with a team.”

Signing nights aren’t just another night. They are a night to celebrate one of the many successes of the student athletes.

“Sometimes, the kids forget that it is like senior night. Sometimes it’s more for the parents than the kids,” O’Dell said. “Especially when it’s May (when they sign), the clock on high school is running out quickly at that point. Most of the time, the kids don’t even realize that. But the parents do, and they really appreciate that one final ceremonial thing.”

What final impact does the signings leave?

“A lot of it I think is just bringing attention to student athletes and their accomplishments,” O’Dell said. “They feel pretty good about that, as they should. It’s a pretty big deal.”

Those accomplishments are only a starting point.

“I like that golf is always a competition against yourself to keep improving your score and the satisfaction that I get when I hit a good shot fills me with joy,” Schleich said.

“On my tour through the engineering building, I got a sneak peek at all of the equipment I will learn how to use and the classes I will take, and it excites me about how many cool things I will get to learn about,” Schleich said.

College can hold a lot of excitement yet to be discovered.

“I’m a little nervous, but mostly excited for the future,” Hansen said. “I’m excited about meeting all different coaches and people, and just building relationships that will last a lifetime.”

“I have also met some of my future golf teammates and roommate,” Schleich said. “And I am really excited to spend time with them.”

When introduced to their respective colleges, these future collegiate athletes have felt welcome in the new environment.

“ONU had a really great community feel that made it feel like home,” Schleich said.

“The community around [Indiana University Indianapolis] has such a cool town, it has so many things to do, and the college itself is right downtown,” Hansen said.