This is the time of year prospective student-athletes are paying their deposit, which is as much of a commitment as you get in Division III. Even so, they can still decide to leave their money and go elsewhere.

It’s also the time you read stories in the local media about kids picking schools and why they did so. The ones I like mention location, the campus, a particular course of study, anything that reminds us that the kids are going pro in something other than sports.

But this caught my eye today. It isn’t the first time, but it’s a good one. This is about Port Charlotte (Fla.) defensive end James Tolbert, about why he chose Central.

“It’s a school built on tradition and family,” Tolbert added. “If ever you need any advice, you have a list of alumni to help you out.”

That was one reason why Tolbert picked Central College over Beloit College of Wisconsin, Luther College of Iowa and Northern Ohio (sic) University.

Another? “The food is good,” mother Linda Tolbert joked.

We’ll see how you feel in four years, sir.