LEGACY
Christian Hilton follows in his brother’s footsteps to attend The Citadel while also playing D1 football BY DANIELLE VARRASSO summer cut short for an amazing opportunity. As seniors are approaching graduation, college decisions begin to be made as to where they will attend college the next four years. A lot of times people will go places similar to their older siblings, or wherever they are given the opportunity to play sports. There is a lot that goes into the decision making process. For senior Christian Hilton a hard decision would be made easy. Hilton has played football his whole life, and going into high school he really starting thinking about playing at the next level. With some injuries along the way, he did not have a clear plan of what was ahead for him but he worked really hard to reach his goals. “He began working intensely in the spring of his junior year. After coming off of an injury his junior year and not being able to play to his full potential,” his mother Melissa Compton said. The recruitment process for him was initiated through his brother who had attended college at The Citadel and graduated from there this past year. “My brother went to The Citadel and was a normal cadet so I had heard about the school and sent my film to see what would happen,” Hilton said. The coaches were extremely impressed with his talents; he received first team all district, first team LCL and All-State honorable mention. He was offered a full ride scholarship to play Division 1 football at The Citadel. Since The Citadel is a military college, a lot goes into the decision, but there were a lot of factors that helped him feel like it was the right choice. “I really enjoy the coaching staff that they have; they help make a tough place to go really feel like home. Also, the fact that it is in Charleston helped my decision” Hilton said. Christian will also be a legacy student at The Citadel because his brother went there. “I am so excited for Christian to follow in the footsteps of his brother Connor in attending the Citadel, and Connor will get to hand him his diploma when he graduates from the Citadel in four years,” Compton said. Playing football at The Citadel is going to be a lot of hard work. Hilton has to leave the third week of June for summer school and fall camp. He will use this time to “get used to The Citadel lifestyle before all of the upperclassmen return” Hilton said. Although it will be hard, he is looking forward to the next four years of being able to do what he loves.“I am most excited about playing teams like Clemson and Ole Miss, and also the school helping me to become a better man in the long run,” Hilton said.
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