Four Rice Athletes sign to continue their athletic careers

The Rice Consolidated Athletic Department gathered along with many Rice Consolidated students to celebrate and recognize four athletes who have committed to the colleges of their choice.

Abigail Hoelscher, Alejandra Palacios, Tamarion Turner and Jon Woods all put pen to paper to continue their athletic careers in front of all their friends, coaches, teammates and family.

“It’s very special, it’s why I am here,” Rice Consolidated Athletic Director Brad Dumont said. “It took a lot of coaches to make this happen. It was not just me, each coach took a little interest in all of them and tried to get them an opportunity to go on for the education.”

Hoelscher committed to play volleyball at Milsaps College in Mississippi, Palacios also committed to play volleyball at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. Both players had coaches and family members say a few words about them at the signing to highlight just how hard these young ladies worked to earn this opportunity.

Turner committed to play football at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, and Woods committed to run track at Garden City Community College in Kansas. Dumont had kind words to say for both athletes, ending both of those speeches by telling each player that he loves them.

Dumont holds all of these kids very close to his heart so to see them move on in their career is both special and emotional.

“I love them all. Rice is home,” Dumont said while wiping away a tear. “I just want what is best for them.”

Dumont said that all four of the athletes that signed, Hoelscher, Palacios, Turner and Woods are going to do great things at the next level. He said they are all fun to be around and know what hard work is.

“They are hard workers; they would not be here if they weren’t. I preach if you are not going to work and get what you deserve then I’m not going to do it for you. You have to prove to me that you want to go to the next level and all four of them have,” Dumont said.

After the signing ceremony the four athlete’s tables were flooded with friends, family, coaches and teammates trying to take a picture to save this special moment forever.

Congratulations to all four of these athletes and good luck at the next level of athletics.