Fallon continues to represent on Signing Day

National Signing Day is one of most special moments for players and their parents and families, as well as coaches and their institutions. All of the hard work in the recruiting process has paid off on all ends. The beauty of this day is, despite the Division I schools overshadowing everyone else, is that every high school senior wanting to play at the next level will get a chance.

It happens here all the time even though Fallon’s hit a little dry spell in sending high school standouts to the Division I level. But while we can argue whether some of Fallon’s recent stars should be playing in the Division I, they elected the smaller college route because it was a better fit. The location was just right and the academics were attractive.

Even though Fallon has only one Division I signee, several ex-Greenwave stars are still shining in the smaller classes, from Divisions II and III to the NAIA. Sure, every kid dreams of playing in a professional stadium when he or she grows up but as they enter high school and experience the true reality of what it needed to even think about becoming a walk-on at Division I, it can be tiring and sometimes not even worth it. Or even worse, they abandon sports completely after high school, which happens to a majority of graduating seniors.

But we cannot ignore the accomplishments of these student-athletes who, year after year, continue to apply themselves to wanting to play at the next level.

Cody Stadtman is Fallon’s next example.

The Greenwave senior signed his letter on Wednesday to play football at Malone University, a Division II Christian program in Canton, Ohio, home of pro football’s Hall of Fame. Stadtman helped the Greenwave reach the state playoffs the last two years including Fallon’s runner-up finish in 2013.

If not for his 6-foot-3 frame, Stadtman could have been playing for Nevada, which signed 15 new players this week. Deemed not tall enough by the Nevada coaching staff, he will instead play offensive line for the Pioneers, who have been struggling lately.

Although Stadtman was the only Greenwave senior to sign his letter on Wednesday, Fallon continues to turn out great athletes and help them to achieve success beyond high school. The Greenwave’s presence is noticeable among the colleges across the country and even in the professional circuit where a handful is competing in football and rodeo.

Thomas Ranson can be contacted at lvnsports@yahoo.com.