Just the fax: Weather won’t impact NCAA signing day

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 | 3:42 PM

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Wednesday's pending snow and freezing rain could cause school delays and cancellations, but it won't stop NCAA signing day.

At least that is the case at a few Westmoreland high schools that have multiple football and soccer players set to sign letters of intent with their future colleges.

It has become a tradition for athletes to fax their letters to schools bright and early, as soon as they get to school. But that practice might have to be shelved if nobody can even get to school.

The athletes may have to fax or email their letters from their homes, a practice that is actually pretty common and often hidden behind the ceremonious fanfare of the big day.

But it's the most important step.

“All kids and parents do their paperwork themselves,” Norwin athletic director Brandon Rapp said. “We help if needed. If snow comes they still do their thing. We would just hold off on the photo op.”

While as much a part of tradition as the build-up, those “signing” photos that everyone sees with athletes seated at tables, wearing their new school gear and pressing pens against paper, almost always are just posed shots taken long after letters have been signed and sent.

Schools set up the photos for family, media and posterity.

If Hempfield does not have school, “We will have them sign and fax from home and have signing day (photos) Thursday after school,” Hempfield athletic director Greg Meisner said. Penn-Trafford also plans to reschedule photos for another time if classes are canceled. If there is a two-hour delay, athletic director Kerry Hetrick said, the 9 a.m. gathering for soccer will stand, and football will “sign” at 10.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Hempfield Area, Norwin, Penn-Trafford