On February 1, some of Mount Carmel’s top student-athletes signed letters of intent to continue playing their respective sports at the collegiate stage.  11 seniors signed with schools ranging from the Division I to Division III, including 10 football players and one soccer player.

The signing ceremony began with MC Athletic Director Dan LaCount congratulating the young men on their accomplishment, adding that getting to this point “takes a lot of hard work in the classroom and on the field.”

President Ned Hughes spoke next.  Like LaCount, he congratulated the signees and their families.  He also reminded the 11 seniors to continue to commit to their athletics, academics, and families.

The signees then placed their signatures on their letters of intent while posing for their families to capture the moment on camera.  After a few minutes of picture taking, the athletes reflected on the special moment.

“The opportunities and experiences that all of us have had throughout these four years have been terrific,” noted Macauley Kilbane, who will be playing football at Johns Hopkins University next fall.

Southern Illinois football signee Tucker Gill agreed.  “Mount Carmel has definitely shaped me into a better student and athlete in my four years here.”

Like Tucker and Macauley, the rest of MC’s commits hope to take full advantage of the college experience next year, both athletically and academically.

But for all them, including St. Ambrose commit Orrin Myrick, education will come before football.  “First and foremost, I want to get a quality education.  Then, I plan on playing football and continuing to be successful.”

The event wrapped up with each of the signees sharing a favorite moment from his years at MC, with those memories as varied as winning the Prep Bowl abd practicing in the pouring rain.

In addition to Kilbane, Tucker, and Myrick, the recent signees included Isaiah Willis (football) – Eastern Illinois; Sean Farrell (football) – Illinois Wesleyan; Nikko Robinson (football) – William Penn College;Jordan Cousert (football) – William Penn College; Michael Kennedy (football) – Northern Illinois University; Phazione McClurge (football) – Cornell University; Noah Swisshelm (football) – North Central College; and Manny Cerritos (soccer) – University of Illinois at Chicago