What has become a familiar and regular routine was once again the order of the day at Riverview High on May 6, as coaches, teachers and parents along with some best friends gathered together in the principals conference room to celebrate the school’s final (fifth) college athletic scholarship signing day.
True to the Sharks’ tradition, the festivities were arranged to celebrate the accomplishments of four students who received athletic scholarships furthering their education at their new locations while bringing honor to Riverview High as the old stomping ground.
While Sharks’ Brandi Schock and Austin Cochrane will play soccer at Tennessee Temple University, Sarah Castle accepted her athletic scholarship and signed to play Volleyball for Trinity College of Florida. Classmate Dylan Coffman signed with and will play football at USMMA (United States Merchant Marine Academy).
Riverview High School Athletic Director Ron Wardlow began the event by welcoming all in attendance and recognizing the students and their hard work.
“I want to echo the sentiments of principal [Bob] Heilman who was not able to attend the festivities, how proud we both are of these four young athletes and outstanding students,” Wardlow said.
Agreeing with Waldrow, Sharks football coach Dan O’Regan was, of course, proud of the students’ athletic achievements but wanted to emphasize that fact academics also played a major part of each student reaching this goal. Commenting on Coffman’s acceptance to the Marine Academy O’Regan acknowledged, “Academics are very strong in the Marine Academy.”
Adjectives such as heart, desire, dedication, and the phrase “never quit” were equally applied to all four students once again indicating what sort of athletic students are leaving Riverview in pursuit of their goals.
As the celebration was coming to a close assistant principal and girls soccer coach Steven Houle commented, “We have four kids here before us who will make us look good while helping their new schools to do better.”
For more information about Riverview High School visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/~riverviewhigh.school/.
