This year, Boston Latin School boasts 11 student-athletes who have committed to pursuing their sports in higher education. Two seniors have signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI), which binds them to their Division I (D-I) schools, five to Division III (D-III) schools, three to preparatory Post Graduate (PG) schools and one to an international university. 

The process of recruitment can be confusing due to its many steps and extended time frame in which it takes place. College coaches first gather a large list of prospective athletes recomended by their high school or coaches or those who expressed their interest via message or campus visits. The coach then sends out information to players to gather interest in their program, narrowing down their prospects. They evaluate and rank the prospective athletes and begin to make offers with their list until the roster is full. 

An athlete may show interest before making a verbal commitment, which is non-binding regardless of age. Then, during their senior year, the athlete will receive an official offer from the college coach. After signing an offer, the athlete must continue to meet the academic and athletic requirements for the rest of high school and college.

Pursuing higher education is a great commitment in itself, but balancing one’s participation in their sport and their college work load is challenging. Most collegiate athletes train year-round, attend practice six days a week, do workouts on their own time and participate in sports events, all while in demanding academic environments. Often, this can be an obstacle, but our graduating BLS student-athletes are undoubtedly equipped to take on the task of balancing both athletics and academics.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) classifies D-I schools as those with the highest level of intercollegiate athletics, a great honor for those who have been recruited to attend for their athletic ability.

Joining the College of the Holy Cross women’s crew team is Sasha Bornhorst (I). She is well-prepared for this D-I program after spending five years on the BLS crew team, where she is used to the “similar commitments of practice six times a week and a race on the weekend.” 

She notes the process of applying to and being accepted into the program. “In my junior year, I explored the sports program and reached out to the coaches to learn more about them,” she explains, “They eventually expressed interest and recruited me for their team. After getting to know the team and the coaches, I am excited and confident that I will be very supported in the collegiate athletics environment.”

Dennis Satchek (I) will be on the UMass Lowell Division I Track and Field team, and has already signed the NLI. 

Six BLS seniors will participate in Division III sports programs. Colleges with Division III programs do not offer athletic financial aid or scholarships and do not generate revenue. 

Sofia Francisco (I) will attend Mount Holyoke College (MHC) for basketball. “My goal for a long time has been to play collegiate basketball and now that I’m committed for that, my goal is to continue improving and help MHC win games,” she states.

Evan Sardina (I) has committed to Vassar College for lacrosse.

David Santana (I) has been accepted into Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for wrestling. 

Kyle Murray (I) looks forward to attending Brandeis University for baseball. “I was recruited directly by the coaches and offered a roster spot which came with my admission into the school,” he recounts.

Douglas George (I) will go on to Hobart College for both football and baseball.

Girish Raghunathan (I) will attend Lasell University for soccer.

Three BLS senior athletes look forward to attending college-preparatory schools after graduation, for post-graduate years, or academically-focused gap years. These unique programs further prepare students for college admission and studies, while also allowing them to develop their athletic skills. 

Patrick Harnan (I) and Thomas Harnan (I) will attend Brewster Academy for hockey. 

Richard Bova (I) has committed to Bridgton Academy for both hockey and baseball.

Another option for graduating student-athletes is attending an international school for sports. Although the style of play for many sports can differ according to the area, international sports schools maintain many of the same characteristics as collegiate sports programs within the US. 

Madison Stockwell (I) eagerly awaits attending the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. This university participates in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) network, which organizes tournaments and league fixtures (a British term for match). 

Although these outstanding athletes will be missed, BLS is proud and excited to send them off to continue their athletic futures in unique pathways.