The Rev. Jerome Milton, at podium, welcomes parents, friends and guests to a National Signing Ceremony for five athletes on Tuesday at Bishop T.K> Gorman High School in Tyler. (Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph via AP)

Trinity University gained a few more Crusaders while another Bishop Gorman standout is going to stay a Crusader in college.

Bishop T.K. Gorman School held a signing day celebration Tuesday morning for five of its student athletes. Four of the five chose to continue their athletic careers at Division III schools while another signed a scholarship to become part of the athletic staff at Tyler Junior College.

“These five (signees) are not only great student athletes, but they are special people,” Gorman head football coach Coby Gipson said. “You will not only represent Gorman going forward, but you represent your families and we can’t wait to follow what you do in college, and in going into your professional life, all of you are going to make us proud.”

Kristian Loving signed to play volleyball at Centenary College, Martin Guzman signed to play football at Mary Hardin-Baylor, Tyler Bate and Michael Goodwin signed to play football at Trinity University and Garrett Smith put pen to be an Apache.

Loving was a three-time all-district honoree as outside hitter for the Lady Crusaders and is excited about the future of playing the sport she loves at the next level.

“I always loved volleyball and always could see myself playing for another four years, and I wanted to, but I didn’t know where I would fit in,” Loving said. “But the campus and the girls and the coach, I just loved it so much when I (visited Centenary).”

Guzman is joining the UMHB Crusaders. The Co-MVP of TAPPS D-II District 2 and All-East Texas first team utility player, Guzman rushed for 308 yards and four TDs, caught 34 passes for 544 yards and three TDs, totaled 16 tackles on defense, delivered 10 touchbacks on kickoffs, and posted a 44.2 average on nine punts.

Just like with his current Crusaders, Guzman said he is ready to contribute to UMHB in any way he can.

“I just like doing it all and whatever I can do to help the team win,” Guzman said. “This has been an amazing experience and my family has been so supportive. I had another offer from (Incarnate Word) in San Antonio, but I just love UMHB.”

Goodwin and Bate are good friends on and off the field. Goodwin was the team’s quarterback with Bate the starting linebacker. Both set school records while with the Crusaders and now both are going to San Antonio to join fellow Crusader Joseph Goodwin, Michael’s older brother, on the Trinity Tigers.

Goodwin said he chose Trinity over opportunities at Tulsa and Yale because he would have a chance to play right away as a freshman.

“I wanted to be happy playing football and balancing football with my academics. Just knowing that I will be able to come in and make an immediate impact on the team and get a lot of playing time my first year,” said Goodwin, who played in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl. “Despite the Division I, Division III difference, the athletes are still great.

“Most likely I will not be playing quarterback. The coaches talked to me about being an offensive skill position, but I want to play slot receiver going forward.”

Bate thanked his family, friends, and even gave special thanks to his girlfriend before making his choice to Trinity official. The linebacker is looking forward to having familiar faces like the Goodwins on the team.

“It’s probably going to feel like I am right at home with Joe and Michael. This has just been an awesome experience seeing all my friends and family here supporting me,” Bate said. “I knew I wanted to go to the place that offered me the best in education and sports. I feel like Gorman is kind of like that-they push you to the limit in the classroom and on the field, and I wanted a continuation of that. Trinity is really the place that would do that for me.”

Smith was an offensive and defensive lineman for the Crusaders and now joins TJC as a student manager.

“Tyler has a great tradition of winning and send guys to a lot of Division I schools and the NFL,” Smith said. “I just cannot wait to be a part of that winning tradition.

“No words can really describe how I am feeling right now. I was able to sign with five of my great friends … I’ve just been waiting for this week for quite a while now. This is a great opportunity that has been given to me.”

Notes: Centenary College is an NCAA Division III school based in Shreveport, Louisiana, and competes in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) … Mary Hardin-Baylor is an NCAA Division III based in Belton that competes in the American Southwest Conference (ASC) … Trinity is an NCAA Division III school based in San Antonio that competes in the SCAC.