Tyrone seniors Ryan Cox and James Oliver put pen to paper on National Signing Day and officially become members of the Saint Francis Red Flash football team this coming fall.

There is no doubt that it is a moment both Cox and Oliver will never forget.

“I was so excited, I never thought that I’d get to do that,” remarked Cox when asked about the experience.

Cox plans to attend Saint Francis to pursue a degree in secondary education and at the play offensive tackle, just as he did this past year for Tyrone.

“I always wanted to go to Saint Francis” said Cox, “I really like it there but I was kind of shocked that they wanted me to play football.”

Cox also had some interest shown by some other schools including Mercyhurst, Shippensburg, and Allegheny.

Meanwhile, James Oliver, Tyrone’s starting running back over the past two seasons, had a multitude of offers from other schools.

Some other colleges that showed interest in Oliver and offered him scholarships of some form were the University of Pittsburgh, Shippensburg, University of Massachusetts, and Penn State.

Unlike Cox, who said that his decision was a pretty easy one, Oliver said that it took him about three or four months to decide on the Red Flash.

But ultimately, Oliver liked the feeling of a small school atmosphere and chose the Red Flash.

“Everybody there is nice. It’s a great atmosphere. The professors know who you are, they won’t just say ‘Oh, you’re just some kid.” They will actually take time to help you,” said Oliver.

Oliver is planning to enroll in the physician’s assistant program.

Their former defensive coordinator and new head coach Jason Wilson said “I’m really glad to see both James and Ryan continue their football careers at the college level. It shows how much hard work and dedication they have put into furthering their goals beyond high school.”

“They have been great representatives of the Tyrone football program, both on and off the field,” added Wilson, “I wish them both the best, and I know they will fit well with the recent turn-around that Saint Francis has been establishing.”

As Tyrone’s football program heads into a new chapter, these two men also head into a new chapter of their lives and plan to be successful at the next level of football and academics.