Grip on Sports: Today is a day of celebration, no matter what school everyone picks
A GRIP ON SPORTS • It’s national signing day for college football. If you are not a fan of college football then we advise staying off of social media today. You’ve been warned. Read on.
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• What will you find there? Overwhelming coverage of high school seniors signing their letters of intent. Videos of kids taking off one or two or three shirts or hats before affixing their name to a contract. Adults – hah – figuratively screaming at the same kids they were praising for the past year, all because said 18-year-old decided to attend Wossamatta U. instead of Prinstone University.
What a bunch of Neanderthals.
Yes, signing day is important. No, it’s not the be-all and end-all. But it is the life highlight for most every kid who signs. And that’s great, unless it stays that way. Choosing where you are going to college is a big deal. But it’s not the last word. That comes over the next four or five years – and beyond.
So celebrate the student’s accomplishment. Be happy for them. Let them enjoy today.
And, for goodness sakes, don’t lose it on Twitter.
• We’re not getting into signing day classes and such this morning because it’s a fluid situation. Letters of intent will be flowing into local colleges and universities all morning. Others are following that with a fervor once reserved for election results.
Instead, we’ll offer you a respite. Links to basketball stories. Links to other football stories. Links to sports news from all over.
Of course, you may want signing day news. That’s available too. Just about everywhere.
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Gonzaga: Now that we know the Zags are the nation’s top-ranked team, the dirty work begins: defending that ranking. Jim Meehan looks at the connections between the nation’s No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams. … There is also other Gonzaga news in the sports section, including a list of the school’s head basketball coaches, a time change for the Saint Mary’s game and Jordan Mathews being named a finalist for the Jerry West Award. … The Gonzaga women have been using their bench to bolster their run at the WCC title. Jim Allen has the story in his weekly women’s basketball notebook. … If the men are going to keep their No. 1 ranking, they will first have to survive a trip to Provo. BYU is waiting. … GU assistant Danny Daniels has some Utah in his past.
WSU: I like the way we handled the morning of signing day this year. Each beat writer has a story on an aspect of recruiting. Jacob Thorpe’s piece from Pullman covers a break-the-mold running back who is signing today. … Jacob also has an advance of tonight’s home Pac-12 basketball game against UCLA. … Before we get to the Pac-12 links, there is a chance signing day will change in the near future. … Here is Jacob’s signing day work. to keep on WSU’s signing day news. … Arizona State has picked up a recruit that has a lot of experience and should help immediately. … History repeated itself for a former Colorado football player. … California has picked up another highly-thought-of assistant. … In basketball, Arizona and Oregon look like Final Four contenders. … The Ducks have to regroup after their first conference loss. … Oregon State is not getting Tres Tinkle back this week. … Utah is getting leadership from a starter and a reserve. … USC heads to Seattle with a local kid starting to shine. … Sam Timmins played his best game for Washington last week. … Finally, Larry Stone is losing patience with the Huskies’ losses.
EWU: Jim Allen is at Eastern’s signing day breakfast party, tweeting away like a mad-man. But before you head over to Twitter to see who has signed, read his story on the Eagles most-prolific recruiting area.
Idaho: The Vandals are in transition. They will soon be the first school to drop back into the FCS ranks. Is it death to their recruiting? Josh Wright has a story that says no, it might actually help with some kids.
Whitworth: Ignore the snow on the ground. College baseball season is upon us.
Chiefs: A former Spokane Jet, who helped the team win two Allan Cups, has died. Chuck Stewart has Brian Strimbiski’s obituary.
Preps: Gonzaga Prep clinched its second consecutive GSL boys basketball title last night, avenging its only defeat by defeating Ferris, 54-39. Greg Lee has the game story and Colin Mulvany has a photo story. … We also can pass along a GSL girls roundup and roundups from girls and boys action around the area. … A former local high school player and coach, Christy Martin, is doing great things coaching in the JC ranks.
Seahawks: Russell Wilson is usually about as controversial as a kindergarten kid. But yesterday he ventured into the realm of politics. … Luke Willson is kind of looking forward to free agency. That’s not good.
Mariners: The M’s signed local product and former Cleveland Indian Nick Hagadone to a minor league contract.
Sounders: Seattle has lost another player to a national team for a while.
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• One thing I really like about today? The smiles on high school kids’ faces as they realize their dream. That’s cool. And that’s what should be celebrated, not the silliness of whether or not Alabama signed 11 or 12 five-star linemen. Until later …