Graduating senior Becca Longo just became the first female student-athlete from Basha high school in Chandler, Ariz., to sign a college football letter of intent for NCAA Division I or II.
She may even be the first in the country — at least, that’s how her former high school football coach, Gerald Todd, introduced her at the school’s signing ceremony on Wednesday.
The five-foot-11, 140-pound athlete was one of two kickers to receive a scholarship to Adams State in Alamosa, Colo., (Division II), according to Adams head coach Timm Rosenbach.
"I contacted them during the season, and after the season I got contacted back by them," said Longo. "The offensive coordinator (Josh Blankenship), he told me he wanted me to come out for a visit. I went on my visit and I absolutely fell in love,” said Longo.
“It was like recruiting any other athlete,” Rosenback told azcentral. “In Division II, we can see their workouts. To me, there is no doubt she can be competitive. She has a strong leg and she can be very accurate.”
Longo kicked for Queen Creek as a sophomore before transferring to Basha. Due to state transfer rules and an injury, she sat out the 2015 season, but impressed Todd with a 42-yard field goal during spring workouts.
Longo went on to make 30 out of 33 point-after tries, as well as connecting on a 30-yard in-game field goal during her senior year.
Longo also averaged 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds per game as a varsity basketball player, and will be playing on the womens’ team for Adams State.
