By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden star Joe Otting made his decision to play football at Notre Dame six months ago and never wavered.
Otting made that commitment official Wednesday afternoon in front of friends and family at Hayden, signing his letter of intent with the Fighting Irish.
"I'm very excited to make it official and to get ready for the next journey out of me,'' Otting said.
Hayden star Joe Otting, flanked by his family, signs his national letter of intent with Notre Dame football Wednesday at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Joe Otting visits with well-wishers at Wednesday's national letter of intent signing ceremony at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden senior Joe Otting talks to a large crowd Wednesday at Hayden before signing his football letter of intent with Notre Dame. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Otting, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive lineman, said his loyalty to Notre Dame has just gotten stronger since making his oral commitment in June.
"I'd say I've been up there six or so times and it's been a good process,'' he said. "To build a relationship with all the coaches, its been nice.''
Otting, a four-year starter in football, was a consensus All-Stater this past season for the 10-2 Wildcats, who advanced to the Class 3A sub-state round and is also a standout for the No. 3-ranked (4A) Wildcats in basketball and a returning state qualifier as a thrower in track and field.
Otting said he will head to South Bend in June after graduating from Hayden in May.
"We've got another great day to be a Wildcat,'' longtime Hayden athletic director Bobby Taul said at the start of Wednesday's signing ceremony. "Whenever we get together on events like this, I always say it is great to have one of our own, to see them go on to the next level, not only academically but athletically as well.
"And with Joe going to Notre Dame, that's like (way up here). That's higher that I can reach. To me, going to Notre Dame, that's the pinnacle.''
Hayden football coach Bill Arnold agreed.
"We're tinkled pink that he's going to Notre Dame said,'' Arnold said. "Obviously, Joe's worked hard and he's been given some great gifts by God.
"One of the things (the Notre Dame coached) loved about Joe is not just his football ability but it was his attitude, it was the family-style atmosphere that he's grown up with here at Hayden. Joe's going to do great things.''
"I think it's special because you get a kid like Joe once in a lifetime,'' said Hayden basketball coach Dwayne Paul, in his second season at the school. "You don't get a lot of Joes, who loves this school, loves his family and his teammates and even today he values winning over everything else. Nothing else matters, and when you have a team full of guys like Joe, you've got something special.''.
Otting took time to thank all of his coaches, both as a young player and at Hayden, as well as his family and the Hayden community.
"I just want to say thank you all for coming out and being here with me on this special day today,'' Otting said. "It has been a blessing to have this great community behind me and supported me through my time at Hayden. You guys have been amazing.''
