Iona Prep Athletes Participate In National Signing Day

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Ten Iona Preparatory scholar-athletes have announced their commitments to play college football for the upcoming 2018-19 season, including five Division I programs. This puts Iona Prep at the top of Westchester County schools both in terms of Division I and overall commitments.

Coming together as part of a “National Signing Day” event at the Upper School on Feb. 8, these Gaels included:

• Joseph Colaio-Coppola (Harrison), Elon University (Division I)
• Luke Tobia (New Rochelle), Ithaca College (Division III)
• Ki’Shyne Shipmon (Yonkers), Pace University (Division II)
• Johnryan Freeman (New Rochelle), Trinity College (Division III)
• Derek Ferraro (Harrison), Rice University (Division I)
• Marlon Ellis (New Rochelle), Springfield College (Division III)
• Jack Doty (Rye), Brown University (Division I)

These seven were joined that day by their fellow senior Malkelm Morrison (Stamford, Conn.), who had previously committed to play football at the United States Military Academy at West Point, another Division I program. Two days later, senior linebacker Matthew DiSanto (White Plains) committed to play for Division III Catholic University. On Wednesday, two-sport standout Jacob Hargraves (New Rochelle) showed his love for Jacksonville University with a Valentine’s Day commitment to the Division I school. Iona Prep football anticipates another three commitments before the regular signing period ends April 1.

Between them, this group of gridiron Gaels has amassed four All-State selections, six MSG Varsity All-Hudson Valley selections, eight Journal News All-County selections, six Catholic High School Football League All-League selections and two Golden Dozen Honorable Mentions. They will join the more than 100 Maroon & Gold alumni who have gone on to play at the collegiate level over the past five years.

See player profiles for more detailed stats.

These students are among the 29 Iona Preparatory seniors who have already been admitted Early Action/Decision to some of the nation’s top colleges and universities, including Stanford, Cornell, MIT, Notre Dame and Villanova, among others.

Iona Prep’s National Signing Day event included remarks by football coach Joe Spagnolo, Athletic Director Bernard Mahoney and President Brother Thomas Leto. They were joined by proud parents, teachers and fellow students.

Watch part of the event on Facebook.

Photo caption: In back, from left, Luke Tobia (New Rochelle), Ithaca College; Johnryan Freeman (New Rochelle), Trinity College; Jack Doty (Rye), Brown University; Derek Ferraro (Harrison), Rice University; Marlon Ellis (New Rochelle), Springfield College. In front, from left, Malkelm Morrison (Stamford, Conn.), previously signed with United States Military Academy at West Point; Ki’Shyne Shipmon (Yonkers), Pace University; and Joseph Colaio-Coppola (Harrison), Elon University. Not pictured are Matthew DiSanto (White Plains) Catholic University; and Jacob Hargraves (New Rochelle), Jacksonville University. Photo credit: Iona Preparatory School.