UPIKE welcomes new athletes
0Written by Andrew Williams
Wednesday, Feb 7 was the day that high school football players around the nation had waited for four long years. The University of Pikeville football coaches held the 2018 National Signing Day in the HPE building. National Signing Day started off with an encouraging speech from Dr. Burton Webb and Coach Al Holland, the head football coach, as he got ready to welcome the future of UPIKE football. “The future is looking bright for us as we go into next season with our recruiting class. We have a lot of talent here with us today and as a coach I’m proud to be able to turn these young athletes into men in the fall this year,” said Holland. The University of Pikeville hosted annual signing day in the brand new HPE building to celebrate the new athletes who will be on campus next year ready to win another ring. This new 2018 class brings plenty of depth at multiple positions, including a maximum number of 13 offensive linemen which will bring a competitive edge to our running game, along with some tough new running backs. Defensively, UPIKE signed brother of former Defensive Freshman of the Year Camron Parsely, who graduates this year after being a third year defensive captain. Nicolas Parsely from Wheelersburg High School certainly has some big shoes to fill as he now plays defensive line for the UPIKE Bears. “I grew up wanting to follow my brother’s steps and be a leader and a playmaker on this defense and make a difference in the culture of UPIKE, but as I sat down with m big brother, he told me to be greater than him and to leave my legacy that I want to live through. I know I’ll be ready to put the pads on in the fall,” said Nicolas Parsely. The Bears ended the season 5-6 as an overall record and hopes to be back in the fight to win another conference championship. Holland is glad to be returning for a fifth year as UPIKE football head coach, making him the longest winningest coach in the history of the program.