Throughout Southwest Florida and across the country, the NCAA’s spring Signing Day had a different look. There were no tables decorated with college swag sitting in the middle of a crowded gymnasium or on stage at a jam-packed auditorium.
Instead, due to schools being closed and with Florida in the midst of a stay-at-home order from the governor, student-athletes celebrated their college signings at home with close family.
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Seacrest soccer player Christian Fischer, surrounded by his family, signs a letter of intent to play at Bellarmine, a Division I school in Kentucky, at his house April 15, 2020.
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ECS forward Drew Tessier is one of many athletes in Southwest Florida who is unable to have a signing ceremony due to the coronavirus. Tessier has committed to Southeastern University to continue his basketball career.
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Riverdale wrestler Jesse Martinez is one of many athletes in Southwest Florida who is unable to have a signing ceremony due to the coronavirus. Martinez has committed to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
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Peyton Urbancic
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Cape Coral guard Savannah Lang is one of many athletes in Southwest Florida who is unable to have a signing ceremony due to the coronavirus. Lang has committed to Central Methodist University.
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Fort Myers High School cross country/track athlete Stephy Ormsby signed with the University of Florida.
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Ida Baker running back Tico Mieses signed with the University of Mount Union.
That didn’t make it less special for athletes like Fort Myers High School runner Stephy Ormsby.
The two-time News-Press Cross Country Runner of the Year finalist signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her athletic career at the University of Florida. She and five other Greenies solidified their futures in unique ways at home.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to run for the University of Florida for the next four years. UF has been my dream school ever since I was a little girl and being able to run at coach (Yancey) Palmer’s alma matter makes this experience even more special,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to be the athlete I am today without the constant support from my family, Coach Palmer and the entire team, and for that I feel so incredibly blessed and cannot thank them enough. I hope to return the favor by making everyone proud and representing Fort Myers well. Go Gators.”
MORE: Coronavirus didn't stop these Southwest Florida athletes from signing with colleges
MORE: Signing Day notebook: Seacrest's Fischer, CSN's Otto, FBA's Casey go Division I
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Adam Regan is the high school sports reporter for The News-Press and news-press.com
Connect with this reporter: aregan@gannett.com