While many senior athletes look back on their experiences in athletics knowing they won’t ever play an organized school sport again, those who have earned the right to refer to themselves as future college athletes have a much different mentality at the end of their final high school year.

These individuals ramp up their training in order to ensure that they are as prepared as possible for the competition at the next level, while also determining what classes they should take in order to pursue a career beyond sports. Despite this overwhelming schedule, schools across the nation make sure these kids are recognized, and it all starts with putting pen-to-paper.

The work they’ve put in on their fields and in the classroom put them in a very special category. At MCHS, while the contract that these accomplished high school athletes aren’t legitimate, legal documents, the entire athletic department ensures that these athletes don’t go unnoticed every year.

This year’s signing day at MCHS accomplished the goal signing days have intended to accomplish since the idea of such a celebration was formed. The excitement, gratitude and pride experienced by these athletes when they sign perfectly embodied their journey up to this point.

”I’m super excited!” University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football commit James Butler explains. “I’ve worked the last four years of my high school career for this and I’m really looking forward to the next four years.”

“I feel amazing that I’m officially signing and becoming a college athlete!” University of Wisconsin-Platteville basketball commit Blake Renfro states. “I’m super excited to be a part of this team for the next four years.”

Regardless of the circumstance of their decision, student athletes that sign on signing day officially mark the beginning of the rest of their lives. While the mascot of the university they are attending may represent them moving forward, every single athlete that is graduating this spring will always carry a piece of MCHS with them.