Even in an area that produces as many good teams and athletes as Sewickley, full scholarships to Division I programs don't happen every day.

That's why it's a big deal that not one, but two area students accepted offers to play major college sports during last week's early signing period for the Class of 2010.

Sewickley Academy basketball star Tom Droney followed through on his earlier verbal commitment to attend Davidson College, while Quaker Valley rower Sarah Trovato settled on the University of Michigan as her choice of college, as both signed National Letters of Intent.

For Droney, who made his signing official on Thursday with family, coaches and faculty present at the Academy's senior school library, submitting the Letter of Intent was merely a formality, as he stuck with the decision he made on July 15, when he announced that he would choose Davidson over schools such as Pitt, Harvard and Notre Dame.

"It's great to just get everything behind me and focus on the upcoming season," Droney said. "With all the paperwork out of the way, I can just focus on school and basketball."

At Davidson, located just north of Charlotte, N.C., Droney will play for the Wildcats' longtime coach, Bob McKillop, who has coached the tiny private school to five NCAA tournaments in his 20 seasons as head coach, including an appearance in the Elite Eight in 2008, when his team was led by current Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.

"(McKillop) told me to keep my grades up and just keep working hard, on and off the basketball court," Droney said.

"He's really big into good character guys, so I'm just going to try and keep my nose clean, go about my business and hopefully, win a WPIAL and a state championship this year."

McKillop was unable to comment on Droney's commitment as of Monday, as the school's admissions department is still completing its work regarding Droney's enrollment.

One of the big perks to attending such a highly-regarded "mid-major" program is the amount of television exposure Droney will get when he arrives, as Davidson annually plays nationally broadcast games, including an ongoing series with Duke University.

For the time being, that means Droney -- in the little free time he has -- will be able to watch his future teammates in action.

"Even next year, (Davidson's) first tournament is in Puerto Rico," he said of his future school's star-studded schedule.

"I'm really excited to play with these guys and we should have a really competitive team."

For Trovato, the televised events will likely be far fewer in number because of her sport, although the rising number of cable systems carrying the Big Ten Network and ESPNU mean that she, too, will get exposure at a national program.

Michigan's rowing team boasts four Big Ten championships since the conference started crowning a winner in 2000, and the team has competed in the 12-team NCAA Division I Championship in 10 of the 13 years it has been held.

"My rowing team (at Quaker Valley) basically started when it was my first year," Trovato said.

"Having gone through that phase in my life, I wanted to go to a team that has some history behind it, where I'll be trying to become No. 1 or highly ranked nationally."

Trovato picked the Wolverines from a group of interested schools that included Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Duke, a list that is notable for being almost entirely (with Duke as the exception) larger, state schools.

"Coming from QV, I've always gone to a small school in a small community," Trovato said. "I feel like I want something different."

At Michigan, she will be coached by 18-year veteran Mark Rothstein, who led the Wolverines for five years as a club team before the sport gained full varsity status in 1996-97.

Rothstein has produced six Olympians while coaching at Ann Arbor, while he has also coached U.S. National teams in various age groups during his career.

"I love their team and I think I could fit in really well," Trovato said.

"I've met all of the coaches and gotten to know them, and I think it'll be the right fit for me.

"I picked Michigan because of the team dynamic I felt up there. It's a very competitive program, but at the same time, they still all support each other. The biggest thing for me is being able to be there for your teammates."

Before finishing at QV, Trovato will also be spending time on the basketball court, as she prepares for her senior season as one of the Quakers' returning starters.

"Basketball has played a big role in my life," she said.

"This season will mean a lot to me, because it's the last time I'll be playing competitively."