The historic “commit parade” continues at Indian River High School.
Four additional Indians’ student athletes have signed commitments to study and compete in college sports beginning this fall.
The most recent IRHS college commits were celebrated at the school’s auditorium on Friday, Feb. 24.
Two-way football playmaker Hayden Hall, standout swimmers Shane Hall (no relation) and Themos Rigakos, and boys’ soccer and volleyball star Caleb Galbreath each participated in the ritual while their IRHS coaches, classmates and teammates, along with family members and close friends, celebrated the milestones.
The four signings brought to a record 24 the number of IR student athletes who in 2022-2023 have committed to college academics and athletics at NAIA or NCAA Division I, II or III schools.
That number could increase at the Dagsboro-based institution, whose enrollment is just over 1,000 students.
Last year, there were 18 commitments signed by Indian River High students — a gain of four from the 14 who signed in 2020-2021.
“The continuous increasing number of IR student athletes who are committing to colleges where they will study and engage in intercollegiate competition is an indicator that our teachers and coaches at Indian River High School are doing an outstanding job of preparing these young people for the future — both in the classroom and on the field and hardwood,” said Todd Fuhrmann, the school’s athletic director. “In addition, our student athletes are setting a great example of how hard work and dedication in the classroom and on the field [and hardwood] can create great rewards.”
Here are the stories of the four most recent IRHS student athletes whose hard work and success have enabled them to sign their college commitments.
Caleb Galbreath
Caleb Galbreath
Hometown: Dagsboro
College commitment: Stevenson University
School location and affiliation: Stevenson University is a private institution in Baltimore County, Maryland with campuses in Stevenson and Owings Mills. The Mustangs are members of the NCAA Division III and compete in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC).
What sport are you committing to play in college? Men’s volleyball
Player specifics: The 6-foot-4 boys’ soccer, tennis, volleyball and Unified basketball player is right-hand (and -foot) dominant.
Name of coach who recruited you: Head Coach Aldis Berzins
Describe your relationship with your college coach: “We have a good relationship, and we are looking forward to working together and achieving success.”
What will be your majors? Finance and cyber security.
Describe the emotions you are feeling about your commitment: “I am extremely excited about my commitment. I never thought I would be playing a college sport, especially one that I have only been playing for one year.”
What appeals to you about this school? “Stevenson University presents a great environment, friendly staff and students, and updated facilities and dormitories.”
IRHS siblings: Older sister Chelsea (IRHS Class of 2011) played tennis and field hockey, and was a band front baton twirler. Older sister Logan (IRHS Class of 2016) participated in competitive cheer and was also a band front baton twirler. Older sister Madison (IRHS Class of 2019) played tennis and participated in competitive cheer.
Describe the support you’ve received from IR coaches, the administration, Athletic Director Todd Fuhrmann, etc. “Everyone at Indian River High has been very helpful with my situation, especially people such as [former boys’ volleyball head] coach [Jim] Barnes and Todd.”
Describe the support you’ve received from your parents and family: “My parents and family are very supportive of me. They’ve driven me to [distant] practices, games and tournaments. They were also very supportive by cheering me on.”
What are your career goals? “To graduate from college with a fifth-year master’s degree, have fun playing [men’s] volleyball, make some new friends, and really prepare myself for the adult world.”
Hayden Hall
Hayden Hall
Hometown: Fenwick Island
College commitment: Salisbury University
School location and affiliation: Salisbury University is a public institution located in Salisbury, Md. The Sea Gulls are members of the NCAA Division III whose football team competes in the the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
What sport are you committing to play in college? Football
Player specifics: The 5-foot-10 right-handed throwing football standout played defensive and running back, and competes in the long jump, triple jump and pole vault events [right-footed, jumped off left] for track-and-field.
Names of coaches who recruited you: Head Coach Sherman Wood and Recruiting Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Doug Fleetwood.
Describe your contact and relationship with the college’s coaches: “My father [Anthony Hall] attended Salisbury University and played with several of the coaches [Wood, Fleetwood and Defensive Coordinator Rob Disbennett]. When I visited the school, I already felt like family. By the time I had left that day, I’d heard many stories about my dad in college from the coaches, and noticed that the head coach and defensive coordinator had taken a bigger liking to me. At Salisbury, I felt comfortable with the coaches. Ultimately, that’s [what contributed to] my decision. It was — in my eyes — the best fit for me.”
What will be your major? Physical therapy
Describe the emotions you are feeling about your commitment: “At Salisbury University, I know I will need to keep the same mentality I’ve always had, keeping my head down as a young player, doing what I know [I should] do, and listening to my coaches. I look forward to starting on [the college gridiron] on Saturdays early in my career. I will do anything [I can] to make that happen, just like I did as a freshman in high school.”
What appeals to you about this school? “They have very nice facilities, but the main factor [in my decision] is that [the coaches] want me. The coaches are the main [reason] why a team and its players succeed. I feel like these coaches will do anything in their power to help make their players successful on and off the field.”
IRHS sibling: Older brother Dalton Hall (IR Class of 2022) played football and participated in track-and-field.
Describe the support you’ve received from IR coaches, the school’s Athletic Describe Todd Fuhrmann, the administration, etc. “My coaches at Indian River High have always known that I have a different kind of desire and drive than [most players]. They have never shot down anything I’ve said about how far I want to go in football. They have never underestimated me. It is a lot easier to do things when the people around you believe what you can do. As for Todd, I want to thank him. I appreciate him more than I can say. And the school’s administration has always made me feel like I’m on top of the world via the support I received from them.”
Describe the support you’ve received from your parents and family: “My family has always been my number one [supporter]. They have supported me in everything I wanted to do, even when I wanted to quit baseball and [compete in track-and-field]. I can’t really thank anyone more than my brother, Dalton, for always setting a high standard for me to [equal and surpass]. Without having that competitiveness, I wouldn’t be anywhere near as successful as I am.”
What are your career goals? “I want to earn a six-year degree in physical therapy. [And] in the process, I want to be the best. Nothing is worth doing if you don’t plan on doing it the best. I know it’s a long shot, and I’m playing [NCAA Division III] football, but it has been done before.”
Extra point: “I’ve wanted to play in the NFL since I was a little boy. I promised [myself] that I wouldn’t give in and that I would give it my best shot. I’m holding myself to that. I heard a Michael Jordan quote when I was about 8 years old that I have never forgotten — ‘You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.’”
Shane Hall
Shane Hall
Hometown: Selbyville
College commitment: Salisbury University
School name, location and affiliation: Salisbury University is a public institution located in Salisbury, Md. The Sea Gulls are members of the NCAA Division III whose swim team competes in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC).
What sport are you committing to play in college? Men’s swimming
Player specifics: The 5-foot-11 swimmer competes in individual events such as the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard freestyle, as well as relay events.
Name of coach who recruited you: Head coach and Aquatics Director Nate Parsley
Describe your contact and relationship with the college’s coaches: “I have a great relationship with Coach Parsley. He saw the potential in me that the other coaches didn’t, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”
What will be your major? Exercise science
Describe the emotions you are feeling about your commitment: “I am very relieved to be committed [to my college]. I put in so much work this past year, and to see it pay off is rewarding.”
What appeals to you about this school? “Salisbury University has the perfect combination of academics and campus for me. It is close to home, which was something I sought for college. I can’t wait to [compete for] the swim team.”
IRHS siblings: Older brother Cameron Hall (IRHS Class of 2018) swam, and older sister Alexandra “Lexi” Hall (IRHS Class of 2021) swam and played girls’ lacrosse.
Describe the support you’ve received from IR coaches, the school’s Athletic Director Todd Fuhrmann, the administration, etc. “The support from our athletic trainer, Todd Fuhrmann, was amazing. Without him, we wouldn’t have even had a pool to train at, so a lot of credit goes to him. Support from my coaches like Colin Crandell kept me going through the season. I had a lot of ups, downs and setbacks in dealing with illnesses, and Colin kept pushing me. He helped me jump the mental barrier of being sick.”
Describe the support you’ve received from your parents and family: “I owe my family [a debt of gratitude] because they’ve stuck with me through everything. My parents have supported me advancing my swimming career and starting me in club swimming. Club swimming requires a lot of commitment and time, and they stood by me the whole way.”
What are your career goals? “My goals for swimming at Salisbury University are to set a few records and maybe set an NCAA cut [qualify for the NCAA swimming meet].”
Themo Rigakos
Themo Rigakos
Hometown: Ocean View
College commitment: Salisbury University
School name, location and affiliation: Salisbury University is a public institution located in Salisbury, Md. The Sea Gulls are members of the NCAA Division III whose swim team competes in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC).
What sport are you committing to play in college? Men’s swimming
Player specifics: The 5-foot-11 swimmer competes in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events, and relay competitions.
Names of coach who recruited you: Head coach and Aquatics Director Nate Parsley
What will be your major? Business
Describe the emotions you are feeling about your commitment: “I am super-excited for this upcoming season. The coaches and the team are all supportive, and are dedicated to excellence.”
What appeals to you about this school? “The campus is relatively compact, but it also has enough students so that I can meet someone new every day.”
Describe the support you’ve received from IR coaches, the school’s Athletic Director Todd Fuhrmann, the administration, etc. “The Indian River High School administration has been amazing in its support of me and all of my teammates. The coaches are all so committed to making you the best athlete that you can be.”
Describe the support you’ve received from your parents and family. “My parents have always enjoyed watching me swim. When I was younger, my parents were always taking me to swim practices, and they were always there for my meets. They will be so excited to see me swim on the college level.”
