Eight Tosa West students attended the annual signing day in the Tosa West gymnasium on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. At the ceremony students sat at individual tables with their parents to formally sign commitment papers. After a short introduction by Tosa West Athletic Director Kadeem Batts, each student could make a short speech. The average number of students committing to play in college sports is typically between 5 and 10.
Athletic Department Administrative Assistant Keegan Schrems thought the event was an interesting way to see students come through all four years of high school.
“It’s always a good time to be able to see all the families again together, these kids, this freshmen, and you’re seeing them on JV, JV two, and then all of a sudden they’re at the varsity level, and you’re watching them commit to to play past high school, which is really exciting.”
Students have a variety of reasons for committing to a particular college. Senior Avion Cunningham committed as a running back to University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
“Stevens Point was the first school to reach out to me during my junior year. If that’s the first talk I had then I thought that they truly see something in me knowing I had no other looks. The coaching staff at Stevens Point has a relationship with my high school Coach Nick Vitale.” said Cunningham
Senior Jayden Coleman also thought the relationship with his high school football coach eased his transition.
“The coaching staff knows my former head coach Vitale so that’s who really pushed me over the edge and the head coach at Stevens point used to coach together so it was a perfect scheme fit” said Coleman. He will play offensive guard.
Students are aware of the challenges of the academic load in college.
“I plan on entering the school with a major in business. Just knowing that college will be harder than high school, I plan to get help when needed, ask questions, and get myself involved in activities. For my athletics I’ll continue to work my hardest and rebuild memories there. Said Cunningham
“Definitely hold myself to a higher standard for my academics because the work i will being doing in college is much harder than highschool and I wanna make sure I’m focused on my books my moto is education first football later” said Coleman
College also offers new opportunities for new experiences.
“What I’m excited about is getting to experience new things. Some of the guys are already talking about getting me into ice fishing and deer hunting. Meeting new people is what i’m also looking forward to especially the guys on the team,I’m ready to create new bonds and build a brotherhood down there.” said Cunningham
“I’m most excited about being outside the milwaukee area and visiting a different city and learning more about football and ways to get better and to see what the college football experience is all about on bro” said Coleman
Athletic Direct Kadeem Batts was happy with the event.
“I was excited to see our senior athletes going on to play at the next level. It is huge for them and their families. I am excited for their future.”
The students who committed to playing in college.
- Jayden Coleman Football UW Stevens Point
- Avion Cunningham Football UW – Stevens Point
- Jack Durbin Baseball Triton College
- Jake Hansen Basketball University of Oklahoma
- Ben Janowski Baseball UW-Stevens Point
- Tessa Jacobson Volleyball University of North Dakota
- Chris Kroscher Football UW Stevens Point
- Josh Williams Baseball Lakeland University
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