Nichols' Walter signs with Binghamton

Snyder resident Ryan Walter, left, stands with Nichols' varsity soccer coach Don Wagner after signing his National Letter of Intent to play Division I Soccer for State University of New York at Binghamton.

Ryan Walter, a senior at Nichols School, will play Division I soccer for the State University of New York at Binghamton, following the signing of his National Letter of Intent last Thursday.

Coaches, teachers, family members, teammates and friends gathered in Mitchell Hall at Nichols to celebrate the moment.

"Playing Division I has been my goal," said Walter, a Snyder resident.

"Getting a full ride to Binghamton was surreal. I couldn't have done it without my family and my coaches and everyone that helped me along the way. I love Nichols - the atmosphere, teachers, my friends. It's been a great experience."

Walter has been playing soccer since age 6 and said he always knew he wanted to play at the highest level.

He is a Lytle Scholar at Nichols and was awarded with a need-based scholarship as a ninth-grader for his academic performance, character and athletic ability.

"Ryan comes from a family of athletes," said Nichols Athletics Director Rob Stewart. "His dad is a Nichols '76 graduate and three-sport athlete of the school. His older brother graduated in 2005 and currently plays soccer at Geneseo State College, while his younger brother is a freshman starter on our outstanding varsity soccer team."

Stewart relayed Walter's exceptional soccer career at Nichols during the ceremony.

As a sophomore, he won the varsity soccer Coaches Award and as a junior, went on to become team MVP. This year, Walter was team MVP and was named First Team for the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association and a Third Team all-state selection.

In addition to being a top athlete, Walter is a past recipient of the Yale Award, given to a student who has assumed prominence in the class by scholarship performance, participation in school activities and by character.

Walter explained how the opportunity to play at Binghamton came about.

The school's soccer coach contacted him and invited him to visit the school to watch a game.

In that visit, Walter said, he knew he really liked the school, from the atmosphere in the new stadium to the students he spoke with who told him how much they liked the school.

"I have to thank my parents and my family for this," said Walter. "They gave me this opportunity and sacrificed their time and effort throughout the years. They drove me from Indianapolis to Maine for games. I really appreciate them."