Wednesday, February 1, 2023, was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for three Brookfield High School seniors. Donovan Pawlowski, Connor Heater, and Isaiah Jones all signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their athletic careers in college. The moment took place in the Brookfield High School gymnasium where each athlete was celebrated by family, friends, teammates, and school administrators. National Signing Day is traditionally held on the first Wednesday of February each year and signifies the first day that a high school senior can sign a binding NLI for a collegiate sport with a school that is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Donovan Pawlowski
For Donovan Pawlowski, his signature signals the end of a long recruitment process. “It feels good to finally pick my choice,” he said. Pawlowski had interest from at least four other schools before he finally decided on Mount Union University. “The coaching staff really drew me to Mount Union,” he says. “The attention they showed me and how welcome they made me feel on my official visit really made me feel at home.”
Pawlowski will join the Purple Raiders as a Quarterback, the same position he held here at Brookfield High School. Just this season, Pawlowski led the team to a 9-1 record and was named the Trumbull County Football Player of the Year by the Trumbull County Coaches Association. He has also been named to multiple all-county, all-district, and all-state teams during his four-year high school career. Pawlowski is also a four-year letter-winner in basketball, scoring over 1,000 career points on the hardwood. He also plays baseball and runs track. He says as fun as his high school career has been, he’s really looking forward to this next chapter. “This has always been the dream, I knew when I was young that football was my favorite sport. To be able to go now, and play at this next level, feels absolutely amazing.”
Pawlowski plans to major in sports business at Mount Union. Congratulations Donovan and good luck!
Connor Heater
A double commitment for senior Connor Heater as he formally committed himself to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland on this National Signing Day. “I am really excited about this opportunity,” he says. “Not only do I get to go play football, but with this military experience I’ll also have some stability for the rest of my life.” It’s those life opportunities and securities that Heater says really attracted him to the Naval Academy. “I don’t mind putting in the hard work to get there,” he says.
Heater will join the Midshipmen as a member of the football team’s offensive line, a position he dominated here at Brookfield. Heater has earned four letters in football along with all-county, all-league, and all-state honors. In addition to football, Heater is also a two-year letter-winner in baseball for the Warriors, an honor roll student, and was selected as a student of the month in government.
As a student at the Naval Academy Heater will be a midshipmen on Active Duty in the U.S. Navy. He will attend the Academy for four years, graduating with Bachelor of Science degrees and commissions as Ensigns in the Navy or Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Naval Academy graduates serve at least five years in the Navy or Marine Corps. While Heater is currently undecided on which military path he will choose, academically he plans to study exercise science. “This has always been the dream,” he says. “All the years of hard work, it’s good to see it finally pay off.”
Congratulations Connor and good luck!
Isaiah Jones
Friends and family - the two things Isaiah Jones credits for getting him to this day. “My mom and grandpa and I used to talk about this all the time,” he says about playing collegiate sports. “They always told me if you practice like a star, you’ll be a star. All of my hard work is paying off.” On February 1, Jones signed his National Letter of Intent, formally committing himself to Ashland University this fall.
Ashland was among four schools hoping to land Jones on their rosters for the upcoming season. Jones says he was drawn to AU because it felt like family. “The coaches have ben extremely welcoming,” he says. “They expect the best from me, will push me to achieve new goals, and make sure I’m successful academically as well.” Jones will join the team as a wide receiver, hoping to make a big impact there like he did at BHS. During his high school career, Jones earned four letters in football and multiple all-county, all-league, and all-state awards. He’s also a four-year letter winner in basketball, most recently joining the 1,000 career points club.
At Ashland, Jones says he plans to study business and is anxious to start this new chapter. Congratulations Isaiah and good luck!