National Signing Day Brings VC Athletes to the Table
San Jose State University gains four elite Warrior football players.
By Kylie Gifford and Ryan Eshoff

On Wednesday, February 1, four stars of Valley Christian’s four-time CCS championship football team committed as a group to San Jose State University. After weeks of deliberation, Danté Perez, Mark Piethe, Dominique Hunsucker, and Bryan North made the decision to join the 2006 Spartan football team. All received scholarship offers from several different schools; each evaluated his options and concluded that SJSU had the most to offer in all areas. The boys have become a part of the changing Spartan football program and are excited to see what this experience holds for them as they pursue their football careers. Their friends and family, as well as Valley Christian students and faculty, will have the opportunity to see these four former Warriors in action at the local Spartan Stadium. As they embark on this journey together, we wish them the best of luck, and cannot wait to see what God has in store for them at San Jose State University.

For Danté Perez, San Jose State was one of many schools offering him a chance to play college football. These schools, including Oregon State University and several others, made his decision a difficult one to make. Ultimately, however, the benefits of “being a part of changing a football program” while staying close to home won out. Perez’s family played a huge role in helping him determine the best school for him, and best friend, teammate, and now fellow Spartan Dominique Hunsucker also supported him in making his decision.

The possibility of continuing to play with three members of his high school team was a major deciding factor for Bryan North; this incredible opportunity made his difficult decision much easier to make. Though he was offered scholarships to Fresno State, Washington State, and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, among others, North says he chose San Jose State University because he, like Perez, says, “I just feel as though I can be part of a team where we have the opportunity to turn a program around. It is also easier to have all my family and friends come to support me.” His family will continue to support him as he becomes part of the Spartan team. Who did North turn to for guidance in making his decision? “God,” he says simply.

Dominique Hunsucker was determined to attend a Pac 10 school until he realized the opportunities that SJSU offered. Like his teammates, Hunsucker fully understood what a privilege it would be to transform a program. However, staying close to home, though it was an advantage, did not play a role in his decision. In addition to San Jose State, Hunsucker was also seriously considering offers from Oregon State, Boise State, and Washington State. While his family provided endless support and assistance in his decision, Hunsucker admits that “God helped [him] out the most.” He says that the chance to stay with some of his Vally Christian teammembers “influenced me somewhat, but it didn’t make my whole decision.”

While Mark Piethe, like the rest of the boys considering SJSU, was enticed by the chance to change a program around, but he remained undecided until he visited San Jose State and saw all that they had to offer. He then chose to turn down offers from schools such as Washington State, Utah State, and Idaho State. Though staying in San Jose did not have a great effect on his decision, it is a plus. “It will be cool to play in front of my hometown,” he says. Piethe’s family, friends, and coaches helped him evaluate his possible choices, but his brother was the most influential person in his decision. About his teammates, Piethe says, “It’s a huge bonus to continue playing with three of my good friends.”