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You have committed to memory the nation’s top uncommitted football players, even though you don’t know where your own kid will go to school.
Yeah, you. The recruiting junkie counting the minutes until signing day results stream in, like an Election Day for sports.
If this isn’t you, congratulations. You have a life. Please return to these pages next week.
Wednesday is national college signing day. Uncommitted athletes will decide on a team hat, kiss their moms and make some school very happy. Fans of the also-ran schools might cry.
High schools across Colorado and the country will host signing ceremonies for proud coaches, parents and friends.
And former teammates will morph into rivals. Two Highlands Ranch High School players will become Mountain West Conference competitors when Colorado State adds Joe Caprioglio and Wyoming signs Nick Williams. And Mountain Vista’s Austin Demmel, also from the Continental League, will join Air Force.
Although the service academies don’t participate in the NCAA letter-of-intent program, AFA provides its recruits with a nonbinding letter they can sign and fax along with their Division I-bound teammates.
Mullen and Columbine will have the usual array of hats. But only Ponderosa can offer up a Parade All-American in Colorado-bound linebacker Jon Major.
When the faxes come in, the muzzles come off the coaches who can finally extol the merits of their new players. The NCAA prohibits coaches from publicly commenting on recruits until the letters are signed. This disclaimer makes for much speculation in newspapers across the country before signing day.
But the day isn’t just about football. Track, hockey, soccer and, somewhere in the country, men’s water polo, among other teams, also get to restock rosters.
Not to be outdone by its football neighbors, the University of Denver has four hockey commitments lined up, led by forward Joe Colborne, a much-heralded recruit from the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
So, if you must stay home and watch all the action on CSTV and ESPNU, call in sick with a Mardi Gras hangover or sore throat from politicking in Tuesday night’s caucuses.
Signing day, after all, is the real election on football’s future.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
TV GAME OF THE WEEK
Nuggets go national against team from U.S. capital.
The Nuggets host NBA all-stars Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison and the rest of the Washington Wizards on Friday at the Pepsi Center. Catch it on Altitude and ESPN, starting at 8:30 p.m.
THE “GREAT ONE” COMES TO TOWN
Coyotes take on the Avs.
Former NHL star Wayne Gretzky, coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, will be behind the visitor’s bench tonight at the Pepsi Center. It will be Colorado’s third game this season against Phoenix, with the Coyotes leading the season series 2-0.
Phoenix won 4-3 in a shootout Dec. 31 in Glendale, Ariz., and triumphed 5-2 two nights later in Denver behind a hat trick from former Avs forward Steve Reinprecht.
COLLEGE HOCKEY HOMESTAND
Front Range teams continue Frozen Four drive.
The University of Denver and Colorado College host two of Minnesota’s finest this weekend, while Air Force welcomes Mercyhurst of Erie, Pa.
The struggling Pioneers, who have lost four of their past five games, host the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday and Saturday at Magness Arena. Both games will be televised by FSN. At the same time, the white-hot Tigers play St. Cloud State at the Colorado Springs World Arena (no TV).
Just 10 regular-season games remain for DU, eight for CC, and six for AFA. The Falcons need to win the Atlantic Hockey Association playoff championship to collect their second consecutive berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Regional playoffs start March 28. The Frozen Four starts at the Pepsi Center on April 10.
IN THE BASKET
CU doubleheader on TV.
The Colorado men play at Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by the Buffs women hosting Nebraska at 8 p.m. FSN will carry both games.
NASCAR REVS UP
Budweiser Shootout begins Daytona 500 experience.
Are auto racing drivers real athletes? Some say yes. But what’s unanimous is this: The guys driving the cars in NASCAR’s top series work their tails off.
They sit in the cockpit of their cars for 11 months of the year, absorbing G-forces that put significant strain on the neck, shoulders, forearms and core. It’s a tough business, with a joke of an offseason. The 2007 campaign ended Nov. 18 at Miami, and 2008 began early January with test sessions that lasted throughout the month.
Real racing begins Saturday, with the Budweiser Shootout all-star event at Daytona International Speedway.
The weeklong qualifying process for the Daytona 500 begins Sunday, and the big season-opening points race is Feb. 17. Are you ready for some racing?
Budweiser Shootout
Saturday: 6 p.m., KDVR-31
Mike Chambers
