Oklahoma High School Holds Signing Ceremonies Not for Athletes, But for Military Recruits

Signing day ceremonies are always a big deal across the football-crazy Sooner State. In the Stillwater High School gym adorned with an Under Armour sports apparel backdrop, several graduating seniors recruited to take their skills to the next level recently affirmed their commitments for the next four years. But the familiar favorites—Oklahoma State, University of Oklahoma, Texas A&M, LSU—were absent from the April 23 events. No coaches from any collegiate sport were there. Instead, military recruiters took center stage with the proud, patriotic teenagers and their parents. Seven honorees committed to the Oklahoma Army National Guard, and one enlisted in the Navy. Each one explained his or her choice to the audience and talked about future goals....