Today is National Signing Day! February 3rd, 2010 is the day that many of Virginia's best in high school cross country and track & field will be signing their letter of intents to colleges across the state of Virginia and elsewhere. There have been quite a few verbal commitments prior to February 3rd, but this day is the first time which athletes are allowed to to sign their binding National Letter of Intent with their future college or university.

Recruits who have signed NLIs must attend the schools they have signed with in order to receive financial aid, and NCAA rules forbid coaches from recruiting them further; these restrictions aim to add certainty to the recruiting process for both athlete (who are certain to receive aid) and coaches (who are certain that a recruit will attend their school) alike. By contrast, verbal commitments are nonbinding; recruits may change or revoke a verbal commitment at any time, and coaches may continue to recruit a verbally committed athlete.

This is one of the biggest decisions in the life so far for a high school senior. Many have taken their official and unofficial visits to try to determine which school, team, and coach will be the best fit for them for the next four or more years. Pressure by the college, parents, coaches, teammates, and friends can make this an even more difficult and stressful decision for the athletes. There is pressure to sign and commit early, but athletes should make the decision on their time and feel comfortable about the choice.

Congratulatations to all of the athletes and their parents signing their National Letters of Intent today.

List of 2010 College Signings (all verbal commitments prior to today)

Please email your college decision and signing pictures to MileStat.com at milestat@gmail.com.

College Signing Pictures

Anthony Kostelac (Albemarle) - University of Virginia

Justin Hunter (Ocean Lakes) - University of Tennessee

Alex Watt & Paige Kvartunas (West Springfield) - Virginia Tech

Drew Paisley (Ocean Lakes) - University of Virginia
Peri Bowman (Ocean Lakes) - NOVA Southeastern University (FL)

Hiter Harris (St. Christopher's) - Wake Forest University

Kaitlyn Davis (Mountain View) - North Carolina State

Amanda Tomlin (Prince George) - East Carolina University

Desi Scott (Prince George) - Mount Saint Mary's College (MD)