Six seniors from SLUH’s class of 2021 earned athletic scholarships this year, and they made their commitments official on Friday, Feb. 12.

With Covid-19 and the precautions it requires, the signing day event was different than athletes are regularly accustomed to. Signing day is an event that is usually held in the Si Commons, with the friends and supporters of SLUH’s student athletes watching and cheering as SLUH’s best athletes would sign their letters of commitment. This year, the event was held in the Robinson Library, and access to the event was limited to just the parents of the signees. 

Of the six, one senior decided to continue his soccer career at the collegiate level.  Jacob Hammond, who played midfield for SLUH, will be continuing his athletic career at Johns Hopkins University, a prestigious institution in Baltimore. 

“There were several factors that went into my decision to commit to Johns Hopkins for soccer (as well as the next four years of my education). Generally, when I looked at colleges, I knew that I wanted to be able to play soccer in college, and I'm planning to major in something in the field of engineering,” said Hammond. “As I started to more seriously consider Hopkins and attend more virtual events, I was excited by the wide range of perspectives and interests of the students as well as the collaboration the students talked about and the camaraderie the current soccer players appear to have.”

Senior swimmer Eli Butters, a record holder in the 50-yard freestyle (20.48 seconds), decided to commit to Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla.

“I chose Florida State because they have a highly ranked program and a long history of creating very fast sprinters,” said Butters. “The school is competitive and meets my needs and the student life there is amazing with the great weather, the nice dorms and off campus living, and the outstanding school spirit.”

Senior Andrew Loeffelman chose to play baseball for Rockhurst University, a Jesuit institution in Kansas City. 

“I chose Rockhurst because it felt like a place I could call home. It is not a whole lot bigger than SLUH, so it’s size is something that I’m comfortable with,” said Loeffelman, a catcher. “I also thought that the distance from home was just right. I am really looking forward to exploring Kansas City, and calling it home for my next four years.”

The majority of this year’s signees are continuing their athletic careers on football scholarships. SLUH’s top defensive back Courtney Hughes II decided to continue his athletic career at Quincy University in Illinois. 

“I chose Quincy because I felt that it was a great fit for me and my game, and the love I got from coaches was real,” said Hughes. “It seemed like they really wanted me to be a part of the program.”

SLUH’s punter Tyler Ridgway chose Missouri University of Science and Technology to continue booting 45-yard punts downfield.

“I just really liked how S&T provides me such a great academic fit, while also giving me the chance to keep playing football,” said Ridgway. “I also feel like they have a fantastic football program.”

Lastly, backup quarterback and long-snapper Samuel Powell has decided to pursue a collegiate career as a quarterback for Aurora University in Illinois. 

“I chose Aurora because I did not have too many initial offers, but I knew I wanted to keep playing,” said Powell. “I considered not playing and going to other schools, but Aurora ended up being the best option for me to keep playing.”

The college selection process, which for athletes is filled with a mixture of skepticism, excitement, and stress, was experienced in a multitude of ways this year by SLUH’s six signees. 

“The selection process was definitely stressful. I talked with probably five or six coaches and there was so much to take in with each interaction,” said Ridgway. “My visit to S&T was what really pushed me over the edge. It also feels great to have my college decision finished.”

For Hughes, the experience was much less stressful.

“The selection process was pretty smooth and easy,” said Hughes. “The program brought a lot of great talent and character to the team, so it made my decision even more trouble-free.”

Another major recruiting factor was Covid-19, as it shortened all sports seasons, and impacted plans for interaction with scouts both this year and last year for all spring sports.

“I started really getting in contact with coaches around the start of my junior year and was planning to have several coaches watch me play in showcases and tournaments in the spring of my junior year. However, Covid resulted in several coaches being less interested either because they weren't able to see me play live,” said Hammond. “As a result, I collected some full game films from my junior year and created a highlight video to send to coaches the summer before senior year. Towards the end of the summer, several schools including Hopkins were interested. Overall, the process was long and at times stressful because of the changes and challenges of Covid, but I'm thankful to be where I am now.”

“The recruitment process was definitely different because of the rise of Covid-19 last summer. A lot of college coaches couldn’t come see my team play,” said Loeffelman. “I was lucky enough to have my dad record every one of my at-bats so I could send them out to college coaches.”

“The recruitment process was definitely different because of the rise of Covid-19 last summer. A lot of college coaches couldn’t come see my team play. I was lucky enough to have my dad record every one of my at-bats so I could send them out to college coaches.”

SLUH baseball player and Rockhurst commit Andrew Loeffelman

The most unique and hectic story of them all was Butters’ recruitment journey, as he had to deal with a program that cut its swimming program.

“By the end of summer, I had narrowed my selection down to a few schools: University of Kentucky, Michigan State, University of Arizona, University of Minnesota, and University of Tennessee. A few weeks later I accepted an offer to Michigan State because I loved the campus, the connection that the swimmers had, and their offer was far better than the other two,” said Butters. “ A few weeks before state, Michigan State announced that they would be cutting their swimming and diving program. I was devastated.”

At the end of the day, the group is excited to get to it and get to know their new teammates.

“I’m most excited for getting my shot to play,” said Ridgway. “I’ve worked super hard for the last four years, and I believe I’ve put myself in a position where I can be of help to the S&T football team when my name is called.”

“I’m just really excited to get on campus and to play at Loyola Park, said Loeffelman. “My goal is to win the GLVC conference at least once while I’m there.”

“I am most excited to get to know my teammates and hopefully start to play alongside them this fall. I've already gotten to know a few, but living with them and training with them everyday is something I'm really excited about,” said Hammond. “Hopefully we can have some successful conference and postseason tournament runs in the four years that I'm there. I would love the opportunity to compete for the national championship.”

“I'm most excited about the atmosphere of the campus and football team,” said Hughes. “I can't wait to get to work.”