7 Byram Hills Senior Athletes Sign with Colleges on National Signing Day

ARMONK, NY — Applauded by friends, family and the school community, seven Byram Hills High School students signed up to play on sports teams at colleges including Georgetown and Columbia universities in the National Signing Day celebration.

The annual day in early February marks a celebratory inking of letters of intent to accept athletic scholarships and other offers to play on teams at colleges across the country. The Byram Hills students agreed to join sports programs in soccer, basketball, fencing, crew and golf.

About 200 supporters filled a section of the bleachers for the ceremony in the school’s upper gymnasium.

“Today we recognize seven amazing athletes representing five different sports,” high school Coach Matt Allen told the audience. “They are each well-rounded, intelligent and hard-working young men and women who will undoubtedly represent Byram Hills to the greatest of their abilities.”

The scholar athletes and the schools they will attend are:

• Jack Beer, soccer – Georgetown University, Hoyas
• Sylvie Binder, fencing – Columbia University
• Emma Fruhling, soccer – Ithaca College, Bombers
• Matt Groll, basketball – Franklin & Marshall College, Diplomats
• Steven Max, crew – University of California, Berkeley
• David Noel, soccer – Eastern Connecticut State University, Warriors
• Ally Steffen, golf – University of Richmond, Spiders

One by one, the athletes were called to a dais decked in Byram Hills Bobcats colors of red and blue, where they signed their symbolic letters. Rob Castanga, the district Athletic Director thanked the friends and family members for attending, and for supporting the athletes.

“It does take a family,” he said. “There are a lot of people involved in helping these dreams come true.”

Photos/contributed:
1: Byram Hills senior athletes (from l.) Emma Fruhling, Matt Groll, Ally Steffen, Jack Beer, Steven Max, Sylvie Binder and David Noel

2: Senior athletes sit before friends, family members and the school community on National Signing Day

3: Family and friends take photos of the athletes as they sign the letters of intent