While it wasn’t Mike Smith’s first trip to the principal’s office, it was, however, the first time he wanted to be there.

The senior baseball player, surrounded by his father, Mark, Brandon coach Matt Stallbaumer, and Brandon athletic director Johnny Bush, sat behind the principal’s desk Wednesday morning to sign a four-year scholarship with Florida Gulf Coast University, a Division I program.

Smith will end up being a four-year starter for the Eagles, and his time with the program has certainly left an impression on his coach.

“It seems like he’s been here nine years,” Stallbaumer joked. “Mike is kind of the first four-year player for me since I’ve been here. He came in as a freshman and found a place to play and contribute right away. He’s definitely been a key for us. He’s always played wherever we needed him to.”

Smith played a large role in Brandon’s success last season, hitting .404 with four home runs and 32 RBI for the Eagles, who won the prestigious Tony Saladino Tournament champion and advanced to the Class 5A state semifinals. Brandon returns the bulk of last season’s squad and is expected to be one of the area’s top programs this season.

Earlier in the morning at Riverview High, softball player Katie Gwinn inked a four-year scholarship with Saint Leo University, becoming the latest player from a Sharks program that has sent numerous athletes to the college level.

Gwinn, a pitcher/infielder who hit .260 last season and went 7-3 on the mound, was described as “the type of student everyone would want” by the Riverview faculty members on hand, and a player who “epitomizes what we’ve tried to do here the past couple of years” by her coach, Angela Slater.

Several well-wishers were on hand for the ceremony in the principal’s conference room, including family, friends and teammates. Gwinn, who was also considering the University of Tampa, said she made her decision after making a visit to the Saint Leo campus.

“I went on a visit and it just felt like such a community, something that I really wanted to be a part of,” Gwinn said. “It certainly grabbed my attention.”