With a pen in their hands and a fitted college cap on, senior girls basketball players Alia Parker and Octavia Wilson exchanged glances of confidence as they signed national letters of intent that would commit them to the University of New Haven and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, respectively.

On the morning of her signing, Parker emphasized that she was excited to finally commit to a school, having had some trouble finding one that balanced both academics and athletics. While she received interest from two other schools, she had trouble finding the right fit for her until visiting UNH.

“A lot of schools, when you’re trying to commit for athletics, there’s a lot of different coaches who want different things out of you,” said Parker. “A lot of coaches would want you to take a major that’s easy so you can focus more on your sport. My coach cares about academics, so she’s going to let me major in economics.”

With UNH being a Division II university, Parker would be receiving a full academic and athletic scholarship, all expenses paid for. Feeling ecstatic about this, Parker said she hopes to contribute to the team by helping the school make it back to the NCAA Division II tournament, which UNH won back in 1987. Ready to start her first year of playing for New Haven, Parker notes the difference between playing high school basketball versus college basketball, and says she’s excited for the challenge. 

“I’m looking forward to better competition, and I’m looking forward to working with the coaches at the school because they’re very experienced,” she said. “I’m excited. I feel like the basketball IQ is needed more at the higher level, like at the college level of basketball, so it’s going to be more mental; and the speed will be faster, so I’m excited about that.”

Wilson showed the same amount of enthusiasm for committing to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She stated that she picked UNCC for various reasons, from the school’s favorable location to the playing style of the team.

“I’m from South Carolina and a lot of my family lives down there, so it’s like going back home,” said Wilson. “I felt like [UNCC] was a better fit; my family can still see me play, it’s not too far, and they fit my playing style.” She continued to describe the playing style of the team as more “free,” with less restraints on the court and guaranteed playing time for her first year. “They don’t run a lot of plays,” says Wilson. “They pretty much get to play basketball how they want.”

By attending UNCC, Wilson believes that she can accomplish many of her athletic and academic goals, which include improving on the court, maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA, and building better time management skills. Although unsure of where the future might take her, whether it will be playing basketball professionally or pursuing the career path of sports management, Wilson said she is confident that she will make the right decisions to secure her future. “I just believe that my hard work and dedication will allow me to have many different options, whether it’s basketball or not.”

As family and friends gathered for this momentous occasion, words of acknowledgment and encouragement were exchanged. The two players began by thanking parents, friends, coaches, teammates, and other people that helped along the way.

“I want to thank my friends and family who believed in me, when a lot of people didn’t,” said Parker as she looked around the room with a smile.

“I would like to thank God. Without Him, none of this would be possible,” said Wilson.

As the parents of the players gave their own speeches, emotions began running high as they spoke with tears in their eyes.

“We are very proud of both of them, Alia and Octavia, for their new step in their life,” said Parker’s mother, Tina Parker.

Bernice Wilson, Wilson’s father, gave a speech that moved many in the conference room. Pointing to Wilson, he described her as a product that everyone at Roosevelt contributed to building. “This family here, the Raider family, it’s what made her. Y’all’s support here. I couldn’t do it by myself,” said Mr. Bernice Wilson. “I just want to say, thank you, thank you, thank you, Eleanor Roosevelt, for taking care of my daughter!”

(from left to right) Alia Parker and Octavia Wilson signing their letters of intent.