A graduating senior from Morehead High School located in Eden, North Carolina who is a member of any athletic team, has exemplary moral character, and exhibits spirit and dedication to the team as did the late Tommy Woods, the person whose memory this scholarship honors. The applicant must have been accepted and have plans to attend a community college, junior college, college, university, technical school, or other institution of higher education. An injured player who did not complete the entire season will still be eligible if he/she is considered a member of the team in good standing by the head coach.
About Tommy Woods
Morehead High School second baseman Tommy Woods dreamed of playing in the major leagues. Tommy was one of the first MHS baseball players scouted by the pros (Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets) during his junior season in 1965. That summer, Tommy was the only North Carolina player chosen for an American Legion All-Star team from Roanoke, Va.
Tommy’s interest in sports included football, and in the fall of 1965, he played on the MHS football team. He was injured during a game, suffering a broken neck and paralysis. However, Tommy did not allow this setback to derail his academic career. With the help of MHS staff, teachers and students, he continued his coursework from his hospital bed and graduated with his classmates in June 1966.
Although his dream of playing major league baseball was over, Tommy believed that “God had other plans.” He lived a full life for another 44 years, inspiring those around him and being a role model through his work, church and community.
