The day was a cool day for Ft. Lauderdale, FL, but that didn’t stop the action at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. On Wednesday, February 4th, 2009, also known as “NATIONAL COLLEGE SIGNING DAY”, the Raiders Football Team had 11 seniors ready to sign their college intent letters. The day began in the Football Lobby Room with the entire Aquinas football team, coaches, and athletic department staff present for the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard trophy presentation - a team award! CBS College Sports was also present and filming for a live 11:00am streaming onto the MaxPreps website. The room was quaint and the players were packed in like sardines, but their excitement for both their national championship award and their national signing day was radiating through their smiles and college specific ball caps that are worn with their prestigious suits. The trophy presentation began at 10:00 am with opening words from the St. Thomas principal, Tina Jones. Ms. Jones then introduced the MaxPreps representative, Billy Barnett, who spoke about the MaxPreps national ranking system and the honor bestowed on the national champions. Billy then introduced the Florida Army National Guard, Major Joseph Lietz. Major Lietz spoke for a couple of minutes on the similar values necessary to be a part of a National Championship football team and the Army National Guard. He then proudly handed the national ranking trophy over to the Aquinas Head Football Coach, George Smith, and his team captains. The No. 1 nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas Football Team finished their 2008 season 15-0 and also captured the Florida 5A State Championship. The morning presentation concluded with the entire football team signing golden footballs for the school display cases and receiving “Tour of Champions” t-shirts.
Following the morning session, the Florida Army National Guard set up a table in the school cafeteria to display the #1 National Championship trophy for the student body and faculty. Also, Army National Guard had items for those students who inquired included lanyards, backpacks, t-shirts, pens, and college preparatory books. The Army National Guard announced that they had a hum-vee present outside the cafeteria. This announcement made most students in each of the 4 lunch periods jump out of their seats to go outside and see the vehicle. SFC Reginald Hughey and Major Lietz accompanied the students by the hum-vee and answered questions regarding the vehicle. The students were receptive to officers and were interested to see one of their fellow students, Victor, working at the table. Victor recently enlisted with the Florida Army National Guard and did his basic training after his junior year. He will be afforded a scholarship by the Florida Army National Guard and will work as an air traffic controller.
The afternoon session began at promptly 3:15 with a live filming on CBS College Sports. CBS interviewer, Trev Alberts, called each of the 11 football signees up to the podium in the newly constructed St. Thomas Aquinas auditorium and asked them questions about their chosen universities. Immediately following these interviews, once we presented the MaxPreps/Army National Guard Trophy presentation. The only differences included the venue change, the audience (which now included families and other students), and the comprehensive media coverage from local papers and TV stations. Coach Smith again spoke on behalf of the team and said they were honored to have received this national championship award and were grateful that MaxPreps never gave up on them through the season. The day was a success and all parties were happy to be involved in this special event for the Aquinas Football Team!
