Mountain Brook celebrates signing day
Two Mountain Brook soccer players are ready to move onto the next level of competition.
Seniors Laney Smith and Nicole Strahl signed their college commitment letters during a celebration on National Signing Day, Feb. 3.
Smith will play at Washington and Lee University in Virginia, and Strahl will play at Troy University. Mountain Brook Athletic Director Benny Eaves congratulated Smith and Strahl on their successes both on and off the field.
“It’s truly an accomplishment, one, to have the athletic ability to play at the next level, and two, to be able to maintain the academic excellence it takes to be a student-athlete here at Mountain Brook and move on to the next level,” Eaves said. “So Laney and Nicole are prized possessions for our athletic department, and we are so proud of what they’ve accomplished here.”
Andrew Brower, the girls’ coach with the Birmingham United Soccer Association, congratulated them on their commitments.
“It’s fun to be able to do these kinds of things because it’s a great celebration of these two kids and their careers,” Brower said. “These are two people who have done everything the right way. They’re what’s good about coaching.”
Washington and Lee will be a great fit for Smith, Brower said, and it is something they talked about as long as two years ago.
“I felt that’s where would be a wonderful fit for her both academically and from a soccer standpoint,” Brower said.
Smith was one of the most improved players last season, Brower said, and he expects her to continue to improve. He added that she will likely have the chance to be an all-conference player at Washington and Lee.
“We’re really proud of her development,” Brower said. “She’s a kid who has had to persevere, and I think she’s come out much better because of it. I couldn’t be happier for her for just doing a great job and continuing to get better.”
Strahl, who was a captain on last year’s club team, has worked hard to improve over the last three years, Brower said.
“I think Troy is getting a goldmine of goldmines. They know that … and they’re really excited to have her,” Brower said. “I think she’s going to have the potential to step in to play right away.”
Brower said he expects the upcoming season to be an opportunity for younger players to learn from Smith and Strahl, and he is going to miss having them in the BUSA program.
“Nicole has been great, and I’m going to miss her dearly. I wish I could clone Nicole and clone Laney and have more of these kids in our program on a consistent basis,” Brower said.
Ford Alexander, a Mountain Brook football player, also signed an academic scholarship with Jacksonville State. He will join the football program there as a preferred walk-on.