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So many reasons to be thankful
COMMENTARY by KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
When I sit down to my delicious Thanksgiving Day feast, which will come from a box out of the freezer (seriously, it’s not that sad), I’ll have many reasons to be thankful.
First and foremost, I’m thankful to have a loving mother who is there for me no matter what. I’m thankful for my brothers. I’m thankful for my friends. I’m thankful for you, the readers.
I’m thankful for the incredible student-athletes whom I’ve covered in the past, whom I’m covering now and whom I’ll cover in the future. They are easily the best part of this job.
So many have left a mark on me that I’ll never forget. I can’t thank them enough.
I decided to ask some past and current student-athletes what they are thankful for, and here is what they had to say.
(Former Williamston star and current N.C. State student Joanna Rogerson)
“I guess I could probably name a good handful of things — food, warm clothes, good credit to get loans for an education, two beat up but fairly functional knees, and I suppose many more. But I think when you get older, you start to realize how much family means. When I was younger, I always found something to fight with my mom about. I was mean as a snake. But now, I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have my mom to call and talk with. So although it’s probably a pretty generic answer, I am going to have to be most thankful for the three Rogersons (brother, mom, and dad) waiting in Williamston for me to come home this Thursday morning.”
(Former Williamston and current Mount Olive star Elton Coffield)
“I’m thankful for a lot of things, but I’m most thankful for my father’s health. I don’t no where I’d be without him. His health was pretty bad last season, but now he is healthy and I’m thankful for that. I’m dedicating my senior year to him.”
(Former Mattamuskeet star and current Lees-McRae softball player M.J. Williams)
“There is so much that I am thankful for, it is really hard to choose one thing. I am really thankful for my family and my friends. My friends are people that I treasure and, no matter where I am, they are always there to listen to me. I could not imagine what I would do or where I would be without them. I thank God everyday for letting them walk into my life. My family is my backbone. They are what keep me working hard and they remind each day just how important I am to them. My daddy is always proud of me no matter if I strike out or if I hit a home run, and Mama is my best friend; she is someone that I know that I can always count on to tell me to “Look up!” My life, though, is my ‘little’ brother. He keeps me going strong and he gives me a reason to make him ‘proud.’ My grandparents are also something that I am very, very thankful for. They remind me every time that I walk through their door just how much they miss me and how proud they are that I am still playing ball.”
(Former Williamston star and current Catawba quarterback Brad Roach)
“First off I’m thankful for God and my parents and everything He and they have given me in helping me get this far in life. I am thankful for all of my family and friends who have been there for me through thick and thin. I appreciate everything everyone has ever done for me and I’m thankful to have this opportunity to show my appreciation. I want to thank everyone I love for being a part of my life.”
(Former Washington star Jessica Joyner, who is now at Roanoke Bible)
“There’s a lot of different things I could list that I’m thankful for. But at this point in my life, I am thankful for the chance to go to college and get a good education. I am thankful for the relationships that I have been able to build over the years. I am thankful to have friends that care about my salvation. I am thankful to live in a free country and for those who are protecting our country.”
(Former Northside star and current ECU defensive end C.J. Wilson)
“I would like to thank God first of all for my opportunity, and to my family and friends for supporting me.”
(Former Williamston star and current ECU wide receiver Kevin Roach)
“I’m thankful for my parents. They’ve supported me in everything I’ve ever done. They’re always there for me. I’m thankful for the community and eastern North Carolina. I’m definitely thankful for the fans. They’ve stuck with us through thick and thin.”
(Former Washington standout and current ECU student Meredith Whitehead)
“I am thankful for my family and all the support they have given me through the years, in sports as well as in life itself.”
(Former Northside standout and current Chowan student Greg Palmer)
“I’m thankful for good health. I’m thankful for my loving family and friends. I’m thankful for being in school and getting a good education. And I’m thankful for going home and getting a meal that I haven’t had since the summer.”
(Former Bear Grass star and current UNC-Wilmington student Summer Rahn)
“I’m thankful first of all for my family because no matter how moody or busy I get, they are always there for me. I’m thankful for all my close friends here in Wilmington and especially for my best friend from back home, Andrea Robertson. I’m thankful that I’m doing extremely well in school at an excellent university. Most of all, I’m grateful for having all these things to be grateful for because without them I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
(Former Washington cheerleader and current ECU student Shannon Houston)
“I’m thankful for God, my great family, best friends, being able to attend college and childhood memories.”
(Former Pungo star and current Meredith College basketball player Hunter Johnson)
“First and foremost, I am thankful for Jesus, who saved me from my sins. Secondly, I am thankful for God giving me the ability to compete athletically, and then granting me the opportunity to pursue my basketball career to the collegiate level. Of course, I would not have been as successful without the love and support that my family has provided. My parents and siblings have attended all of my athletic events since the beginning of my career. My dad has coached me, my mom has been my biggest fan, my sister has been my teammate and supporter, and my brother has been my special, little buddy who has a childlike faith in me. I am thankful for my church family. First Baptist Church has been an amazing support system for me since the time I was young. It is because of their love that I am where I am today.”
(Former Northside star and current Longwood University basketball player Danny Wilson)
“I have so much to be thankful for, but I’m going to stick with the basics. The two most important things I am thankful for is the fact that God gave me an opportunity to play Division 1 basketball. And also I’m thankful for my big, beautiful family. We live and survive off of each other’s presence, love and faith.”
(Former Plymouth star and current UNC-Wilmington student Ashley Saunders)
“I am thankful for the love and support of my family and this wonderful holiday I get to spend with them.”
(Former Northside standout and current ECU Dance Team member Laura Lee)
“I’m thankful for my mom and my dad, my sisters and my granny, and all my other family who are there for me. I’m also thankful for all the opportunities I’ve been presented with and everything I’ve been able to accomplish and work on.”
(Former Northside standout Bryce Stephenson, who is now at ECU)
“I am thankful that God has blessed me with the presence of great people throughout my life. From friends to family, teachers to coworkers, and everywhere else in my life, I have had strong, smart, loving people around me. People that pulled me through and allowed me to realize the abilities that were given to me. I am thankful for each and every member of our Armed Forces who fight to make sure I am free to go to my job, play my sports, and worship my God. Lastly, I’m thankful for Roy Williams, Tyler Hansbrough, and a No. 1 recruiting class that will hopefully lead my Tar Heels to a National Championship in ‘06-’07.”
(Current Washington Pam Pack baseball great Trent Whitehead, who has signed to play at ECU)
“I’m thankful for having great friends and family that are always there for me to help me and back me up . If sports don’t work out. I will always have them.”
(East Carolina senior punter Ryan Dougherty)
“I’m definitely thankful for my family and my parents because of the support and all the opportunities they have given me throughout life. If it weren’t for family, I wouldn’t be here and be who I am.”
(Washington Pam Pack standout Marshall Fowle)
“I am very thankful for the ability to play sports and for the skill that God has given me on the golf course. I am also very thankful for my parents and the rest of my family who support me in any way they can.”
(ECU freshman volleyball player Hannah Fenker)
“I am thankful for my amazing family and friends and the support they give me, (and) for the opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing college volleyball.”
(Former Washington star and current University of North Carolina student Sarah Faucette)
“I am thankful for no matter how long I’m away at school, every time I go home it feels like I had never left.”
(Former Washington standout and current ECU student Cameron Whitehead)
“I am so very thankful for the wonderful family and friends that I have. They are amazing and support me in every way possible. No matter good or bad, they are always there for me. I honestly do not know what I would do without them. I love them very much.”
(Former Williamston star and current Elizabeth City State University baseball player J.J. House)
The one thing that I am truly thankful for is family. That is the one thing that has inspired everything that I have done. The opportunities that have come my way over the past few years have been amazing and my family has been there with me every step of the way. My mom and my two sisters are the most important things in my life right now.”
(Former Southside star, current Methodist College football player and future Coastal Carolina University player Clarence Baker)
“I’m thankful for God showing me to follow my dream and go ahead and go to Coastal Carolina University to try my luck. I’m also thankful for my family that has helped propel me to the person and the athlete I am now.”
Kevin Travis is the Sports Editor of the Washington Daily News. You may reach him at 940-4217 or by email at kevin@wdnweb.com.
When I sit down to my delicious Thanksgiving Day feast, which will come from a box out of the freezer (seriously, it’s not that sad), I’ll have many reasons to be thankful.
First and foremost, I’m thankful to have a loving mother who is there for me no matter what. I’m thankful for my brothers. I’m thankful for my friends. I’m thankful for you, the readers.
I’m thankful for the incredible student-athletes whom I’ve covered in the past, whom I’m covering now and whom I’ll cover in the future. They are easily the best part of this job.
So many have left a mark on me that I’ll never forget. I can’t thank them enough.
I decided to ask some past and current student-athletes what they are thankful for, and here is what they had to say.
(Former Williamston star and current N.C. State student Joanna Rogerson)
“I guess I could probably name a good handful of things — food, warm clothes, good credit to get loans for an education, two beat up but fairly functional knees, and I suppose many more. But I think when you get older, you start to realize how much family means. When I was younger, I always found something to fight with my mom about. I was mean as a snake. But now, I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have my mom to call and talk with. So although it’s probably a pretty generic answer, I am going to have to be most thankful for the three Rogersons (brother, mom, and dad) waiting in Williamston for me to come home this Thursday morning.”
(Former Williamston and current Mount Olive star Elton Coffield)
“I’m thankful for a lot of things, but I’m most thankful for my father’s health. I don’t no where I’d be without him. His health was pretty bad last season, but now he is healthy and I’m thankful for that. I’m dedicating my senior year to him.”
(Former Mattamuskeet star and current Lees-McRae softball player M.J. Williams)
“There is so much that I am thankful for, it is really hard to choose one thing. I am really thankful for my family and my friends. My friends are people that I treasure and, no matter where I am, they are always there to listen to me. I could not imagine what I would do or where I would be without them. I thank God everyday for letting them walk into my life. My family is my backbone. They are what keep me working hard and they remind each day just how important I am to them. My daddy is always proud of me no matter if I strike out or if I hit a home run, and Mama is my best friend; she is someone that I know that I can always count on to tell me to “Look up!” My life, though, is my ‘little’ brother. He keeps me going strong and he gives me a reason to make him ‘proud.’ My grandparents are also something that I am very, very thankful for. They remind me every time that I walk through their door just how much they miss me and how proud they are that I am still playing ball.”
(Former Williamston star and current Catawba quarterback Brad Roach)
“First off I’m thankful for God and my parents and everything He and they have given me in helping me get this far in life. I am thankful for all of my family and friends who have been there for me through thick and thin. I appreciate everything everyone has ever done for me and I’m thankful to have this opportunity to show my appreciation. I want to thank everyone I love for being a part of my life.”
(Former Washington star Jessica Joyner, who is now at Roanoke Bible)
“There’s a lot of different things I could list that I’m thankful for. But at this point in my life, I am thankful for the chance to go to college and get a good education. I am thankful for the relationships that I have been able to build over the years. I am thankful to have friends that care about my salvation. I am thankful to live in a free country and for those who are protecting our country.”
(Former Northside star and current ECU defensive end C.J. Wilson)
“I would like to thank God first of all for my opportunity, and to my family and friends for supporting me.”
(Former Williamston star and current ECU wide receiver Kevin Roach)
“I’m thankful for my parents. They’ve supported me in everything I’ve ever done. They’re always there for me. I’m thankful for the community and eastern North Carolina. I’m definitely thankful for the fans. They’ve stuck with us through thick and thin.”
(Former Washington standout and current ECU student Meredith Whitehead)
“I am thankful for my family and all the support they have given me through the years, in sports as well as in life itself.”
(Former Northside standout and current Chowan student Greg Palmer)
“I’m thankful for good health. I’m thankful for my loving family and friends. I’m thankful for being in school and getting a good education. And I’m thankful for going home and getting a meal that I haven’t had since the summer.”
(Former Bear Grass star and current UNC-Wilmington student Summer Rahn)
“I’m thankful first of all for my family because no matter how moody or busy I get, they are always there for me. I’m thankful for all my close friends here in Wilmington and especially for my best friend from back home, Andrea Robertson. I’m thankful that I’m doing extremely well in school at an excellent university. Most of all, I’m grateful for having all these things to be grateful for because without them I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
(Former Washington cheerleader and current ECU student Shannon Houston)
“I’m thankful for God, my great family, best friends, being able to attend college and childhood memories.”
(Former Pungo star and current Meredith College basketball player Hunter Johnson)
“First and foremost, I am thankful for Jesus, who saved me from my sins. Secondly, I am thankful for God giving me the ability to compete athletically, and then granting me the opportunity to pursue my basketball career to the collegiate level. Of course, I would not have been as successful without the love and support that my family has provided. My parents and siblings have attended all of my athletic events since the beginning of my career. My dad has coached me, my mom has been my biggest fan, my sister has been my teammate and supporter, and my brother has been my special, little buddy who has a childlike faith in me. I am thankful for my church family. First Baptist Church has been an amazing support system for me since the time I was young. It is because of their love that I am where I am today.”
(Former Northside star and current Longwood University basketball player Danny Wilson)
“I have so much to be thankful for, but I’m going to stick with the basics. The two most important things I am thankful for is the fact that God gave me an opportunity to play Division 1 basketball. And also I’m thankful for my big, beautiful family. We live and survive off of each other’s presence, love and faith.”
(Former Plymouth star and current UNC-Wilmington student Ashley Saunders)
“I am thankful for the love and support of my family and this wonderful holiday I get to spend with them.”
(Former Northside standout and current ECU Dance Team member Laura Lee)
“I’m thankful for my mom and my dad, my sisters and my granny, and all my other family who are there for me. I’m also thankful for all the opportunities I’ve been presented with and everything I’ve been able to accomplish and work on.”
(Former Northside standout Bryce Stephenson, who is now at ECU)
“I am thankful that God has blessed me with the presence of great people throughout my life. From friends to family, teachers to coworkers, and everywhere else in my life, I have had strong, smart, loving people around me. People that pulled me through and allowed me to realize the abilities that were given to me. I am thankful for each and every member of our Armed Forces who fight to make sure I am free to go to my job, play my sports, and worship my God. Lastly, I’m thankful for Roy Williams, Tyler Hansbrough, and a No. 1 recruiting class that will hopefully lead my Tar Heels to a National Championship in ‘06-’07.”
(Current Washington Pam Pack baseball great Trent Whitehead, who has signed to play at ECU)
“I’m thankful for having great friends and family that are always there for me to help me and back me up . If sports don’t work out. I will always have them.”
(East Carolina senior punter Ryan Dougherty)
“I’m definitely thankful for my family and my parents because of the support and all the opportunities they have given me throughout life. If it weren’t for family, I wouldn’t be here and be who I am.”
(Washington Pam Pack standout Marshall Fowle)
“I am very thankful for the ability to play sports and for the skill that God has given me on the golf course. I am also very thankful for my parents and the rest of my family who support me in any way they can.”
(ECU freshman volleyball player Hannah Fenker)
“I am thankful for my amazing family and friends and the support they give me, (and) for the opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing college volleyball.”
(Former Washington star and current University of North Carolina student Sarah Faucette)
“I am thankful for no matter how long I’m away at school, every time I go home it feels like I had never left.”
(Former Washington standout and current ECU student Cameron Whitehead)
“I am so very thankful for the wonderful family and friends that I have. They are amazing and support me in every way possible. No matter good or bad, they are always there for me. I honestly do not know what I would do without them. I love them very much.”
(Former Williamston star and current Elizabeth City State University baseball player J.J. House)
The one thing that I am truly thankful for is family. That is the one thing that has inspired everything that I have done. The opportunities that have come my way over the past few years have been amazing and my family has been there with me every step of the way. My mom and my two sisters are the most important things in my life right now.”
(Former Southside star, current Methodist College football player and future Coastal Carolina University player Clarence Baker)
“I’m thankful for God showing me to follow my dream and go ahead and go to Coastal Carolina University to try my luck. I’m also thankful for my family that has helped propel me to the person and the athlete I am now.”
Kevin Travis is the Sports Editor of the Washington Daily News. You may reach him at 940-4217 or by email at kevin@wdnweb.com.
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| Roach not ready to be finished |
