National declarations of intent have gone the way of typewriters, rotary phones and dinosaurs. They are replaced by a document known as a grant in aid, in which the college is supposed to spell out in specific terms what scholarship money is to be received and ultimately the name, image and likeness funds to be distributed when the NCAA and others resolve their legal issues. .
High schools are thinking creatively about how they want to honor seniors who receive athletic scholarships in this new era where letters of intent no longer apply. Santa Margarita has come up with a name for his new day: ‘Athletic Commitment Celebration’.
It will happen three times a year, from November 13, when seniors other than footballers can sign a support grant.
The endorsement is so new that two highly regarded Santa Margarita athletes who committed over a year ago, swimmer Teagan O’Dell and softball player Jillian Torres, weren’t even aware of the changes, except that the letter of intent is gone .
“Honestly, I don’t know because they just changed it,” said Torres, who is committed to Notre Dame.
When asked if she had discussed NIL considerations as one of the best swimmers in the country with her future Cal coaches, O’Dell said, “I haven’t.” The plan is to talk about it next spring before I get there.
On one glorious day, at least 45 Santa Margarita students and perhaps more, amid balloons, signs and grateful parents, will celebrate the tremendous amount of hard work and sacrifice put in over the years completing the college recruitment process and accept congratulations for their achievements.
“I think it’s a big milestone for everyone who signs,” O’Dell said. “You can get some fresh air and look ahead to the next four years of your life.”
O’Dell, the No. 1 swimmer in California with dreams of becoming an Olympian in 2028, learned to swim at age 4 because her mother, Marni, swam in college. She has three football-playing brothers who also learned to swim, except for one problem.
“They can’t swim fast,” she said.
They take after their father, Dan, who played quarterback at San Jose State. Two attend Citrus College and the little brother attends Bishop Amat. They cheer for their sister whenever they have time. Teagan is rarely home and gets up at four in the morning to train.
Torres isn’t jealous of O’Dell’s early riser. Her wake-up time is 6:30 a.m., but she loves to take batting practice anytime with her father, Ralph, who started coaching her when she was five and then allowed travel ball coaches to take over. She is an All-CIF outfielder.
“It has always been a dream for me to go to Notre Dame, and I think this day really secures that dream,” she said. “I know my coaches so well and they mean so much to me, and I’m really excited.”
Do you know who will also be excited in the Southland on November 13? Parents who do not have to pay for a university education for many of the signatories.
“I think my parents are very grateful that they don’t have to pay anything,” O’Dell said. “They are especially proud of me and want me to be happy at university.”
O’Dell has an average of 3.9 points and Torres is at 4.3. It’s more than being good at swimming or softball that earned them that scholarship. Academics played a large role in their success, and both credited the competition at Santa Margarita for pushing them to achieve success in the classroom.
“It’s crazy how many talented people we have at this school,” Torres said. “It’s really inspiring.”
Rules change. The schedule limits are reduced. Trainers have to adapt. It’s a world of influx when it comes to college recruiting. But anyone who gets to draw certainly deserves to be celebrated. All you need is one person who believes in you, who offers you an opportunity and you’re on your way.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
