Smith signs with Appalachian State
Brennen Smith signs with Appalachian State
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Courtney McClure
March 5, 2009
Filed under News
Gallons of sweat, tons of bruises and a lot of hard work were all it took for soccer devotee, Brennen Smith, to score his most important goal. This year, Smith was the school’s only student athlete to be signed to a college, allowing him the solo spotlight for National Signing Day.
His signature was all that was needed to secure his future spot on the soccer fields of Appalachian State University.
“I feel extremely blessed by God to be put in this position. I am honored,” commented Smith, a senior, just minutes before his signing. “Sometimes I do feel nervous when I think about if I’ll be able to adapt to college soccer quickly,” he added.
As the moment for Smith’s signing neared, supporters flooded the main office’s conference room. Athletic director Ron Coltrane, soccer coach Mark Guercio and principal Mark Nixon were among the supporters, along with Smith’s friends and teammates. But of the large group Smith made sure to personally address one person: French teacher Diane Smith, his mother.
“I want to thank you for all of your support and hard work and sacrifices and money you’ve put into me playing soccer. I know it was a lot and hopefully this scholarship will help lessen the debt,” he told his mother.
Then the moment Smith has worked toward for years arrived. Smith excitedly uncapped the pen. He signed his signature flawlessly, and the group applauded. All Smith could do was smile.
“I’m relieved he got rewarded for his work and offered a spot without anyone even seeing him play,” his mother said after the signing.
Words of encouragement flew like magnets in Smith’s direction. Nixon commented on Smith’s quickness and extreme skills, while coach Larry Bosc mentioned his success in scoring mouth dropping goals. Smith took it all in and again thanked everyone for their support.
“This has been my dream since I was a boy,” Smith shared. “I’ve sacrificed many things to get here and I praise the Lord that I am here.”
However, Smith also had some sobering words as he looked toward his future at
Appalachian. “I realize that this is the easy part, though. Doing well in college is the next step.”
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A great story portrayed through a great writing style. I loved reading this.
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