Shopping frenzy

Holiday bargains attract buyers to local stores

November 26, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER and JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writers

It was like Halloween all over again.
Only this time, it wasn’t monsters and vampires out all night, it was holiday shoppers determined to get the best deals.
By 5 a.m. Friday, despite their glazed expressions and blood-shot eyes, sale stalkers, such as Greenwood resident Pam Barrett, were clutching onto boxes of sought-after electronics as though Santa Claus had handed it to the shoppers himself.
“I just came in at 12 (a.m.) to pick up a few things, and after I got here, the cashiers were laughing and said, ‘You’re not going to stay until 5, are you?’” Barrett said, after she purchased one of Wal-Mart’s limited-quantity Hewlett-Packard laptops. “But when I got to laughing and having a good time, I thought I might as well go ahead and do this.
“Nobody got shot, nobody pulled a gun, we had a good time,” she added. “We just got a little coffee and sat out the duration. We are just thankful to get one (a laptop).”
Just a few feet away from a smiling Barrett, a crowd of empty-handed customers was not so happy about the limited quantity of the sale-priced laptops. About 20 customers who arrived at the store between 4 and 5 a.m. for the sale that was to begin at 5 a.m. found rows of people sitting with line tickets for the limited-quantity laptops. They had received the tickets as early as midnight, and the laptops were already gone by the time customers arrived at 5 a.m.
“We didn’t have enough to satisfy all of the customers who wanted one,” said Randy Worthly, Wal-Mart general manager.
“It’s just not right the way they get you down here,” Joann Wilson, of Bradley, said. “They should be really ashamed of themselves the way they did this. I’m a veteran to this, and they know the crowds are coming and should be much better prepared.”
With a sea of cars in front of Wal-Mart at 5 a.m., some shoppers opted to start their sprees at Greenwood Mall.
“I just passed by Wal-Mart,” said Abbeville resident Malissa Coleman, who hit the stores with her sister, Sandra Hawes, of Atlanta. “I’m here because I’ve never been out this early before. I came for the deals and to see what all this phenomenon (of early shopping) is about.”
The rest of her family chose to stay in bed, she added, laughing.
“My husband did warm the car up for me,” she said.
By 5:15 a.m., registers were beeping and bags were being filled throughout Belk Department Store, and manager Tara Calloway said the day promised to bring in heavy sales.
“Traffic has been good compared to what it was last year at this point,” she said, adding that customers were waiting outside of the doors before the store opened at 5 a.m. “We’ve had a really good week, so we hope it’s a good omen for today.”
After dropping off his mother and sister at another store, Harold Calhoun, a former Greenwood resident and current resident of Washington, D.C., picked up a Christmas tree for his 1-year-old great-nephew, Talib Calhoun. “I was the chauffeur this morning,” he said, smiling. “I’m hoping not to be out all day. I didn’t even have time to drink my coffee this morning — I’m not a 4 a.m. person.”
By 5:45 a.m., JCPenney customer Geralyn Brooks, from Waterloo, had already made one trip to her car to store her purchases, and she was on her way out the door with another load.
“I go through the sales papers, so I know what I’m going to spot when I walk in the door. Then I load up the car and come back in and browse,” she said.
Lynda Edmunds, of Greenwood, carried a shopping list in her pocket to help guide her through the clothes racks.
“Everything’s there and in order of what I have to get in each store,” she said. “I don’t think my family even knows I’m gone. I don’t think they thought I was serious (about shopping early).”
As the hour hand approached 6 a.m., a line of anxious shoppers began to grow outside of Sears, where dozens of people, such as Ralph Smith, of Ware Shoals, and Rodney McCarty, of Greenwood, waited for a chance to buy tools and household items.
Smith, the first in line, arrived at the store just before 5 a.m., after his wife woke up at 3:30 a.m. to begin her shopping day.
“She woke me up so I just got up and came down the road,” he said.
Just minutes later, McCarty took his place as second in line.
“I went to Fred’s, and it took me three minutes to get out of there,” he said, laughing. “I don’t enjoy this. My family is at home in bed like the sensible people. When I’m done, I’m going straight home and going back to bed.”
Irene Whatley, an employee at Fred’s, said when she arrived at 4 a.m., there was already a car in the parking lot. By the time she opened the door at 5 a.m., the line was all the way out to the road, she said. It took customers five minutes to enter the store.
“The Dancing Dora (the Explorer) dolls were gone almost immediately,” she said. “They came in asking for the doll and where our Christmas trees were.”
The manager, Dee Mack, said it was a madhouse, but it was fun. Even though people started lining up at 4 a.m., they never experienced any fights, she said.
By 6 a.m., parking spaces — and shopping buggies — were at a premium at Kmart, and many customers were congregating around the jewelry counter and toy aisles.
As she waited for a clerk to assist her, McCormick resident Sojourner Creswell said she was enjoying the excitement in the air.
“I haven’t done this in years. It’s fun just to get into the crowd and get the deal — to the get the last (item) or next to last one,” she said.
Creswell, who got up at 4 a.m. to make it to the sales, said she came into Greenwood with a carload of about 10 people.
“On the way down, we were the quietest we’ve been in a long time,” she said, laughing, “but we’ll be talking when we go back.”
As 7 a.m. rolled around, customers at Big Lots were eyeing videos, furniture and toys on sale at the store.
Though customers were waiting outside the doors when the store opened at 6 a.m., store manager Candice Camarillo said she expected traffic to be at its heaviest around 10 a.m. Friday.
Her arms laden with video cassettes, Hodges resident Bonnie Timms said she enjoyed mingling with other shoppers for the best deals.
“I like getting out in the crowd, and I enjoy watching the people,” she said.
Though her 13-year-old son, Dale, was by her side during the spree, she said she didn’t mind if he saw his gifts a few weeks early.
“I’ll buy it if he likes it and put it up for him,” she said. “He’ll forget about it by (Christmas).”
As the sun rose over Greenwood, shoppers at Goody’s Family Clothing were filing in for more than just the $10-off coupon. Customers stood as long as 45 minutes in lines that stretched to the back of the store.
Sixteen-year-old Mary Torro said it was fun to see everybody “bomb-rush” each other.
“What brought me here was just to see these people run around,” she said.

Edward Balentine

GREENWOOD — Edward Herman Balentine, Jr., 79, resident of 111 Overbrook Drive, husband of Betty Campbell Balentine, died Thursday November 24, 2005 at his home.
Born in Greenwood June 20, 1926, he was a son of the late Edward H. Sr. and Lucile Richey Balentine. He was a graduate of The University of Virginia and a 1948 graduate of Clemson College. He was a US Navy veteran of WW II having served in the South Pacific.
Mr. Balentine was formerly employed by Foster-Wheeler Corp. in Houston, Tx., Satter-field Construction Co. in Greenwood and was a self employed general contractor. He retired from Davis & Floyd, Inc. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a daughter Lisa and husband Oscar Rebula of Mt. Pleasant. A son, E. Richey and wife Chassidy Gilliam Balentine of Simpsonville. Grandchildren: Anna Grace Rebula, Maria Claire Rebula, David Anthony Rebula and Daniel Thomas Rebula.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday in the First Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. Tony Hopkins officiating.
Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the chapel at 1:00 PM Saturday.
The family is at the home in Forest Hills and will receive friends in the church parlor from 1:00 to 2:00 Saturday afternoon.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 722 Grace St., Greenwood, SC 29649 or to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Balentine family.
PAID OBITUARY

Frank Coursey

GREENWOOD — Charlie Franklin “Frank” Coursey, 72, resident of 101 Lakewood Drive, husband of Sue Duncan Coursey, died November 24, 2005 at the Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood November 2, 1933 he was a son of the late Hardy, Sr. and Mary Aleene Coleman Coursey. Mr. Coursey retired from Greenwood Motor Lines after 40 years service. A founder and charter member of Northwest Volunteer Fire Department he currently served as Vice President and was past President of the department. Being the great cook that he was, he was master cook of the fire department hash. He was an organizer of Cub Scout Pack 57 at Harris Plant and had served as Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 54 where he received many awards. Among those were the Silver Beaver Award, the Good Shepherd Award and the Special Leadership Recognition Award. A member and senior steward of the Bascomb Masonic Lodge #363, he was also a York Rite Shriner and a member of the Hejaz Shrine Temple. A member and former deacon of Harris Baptist Church, he was a member and President of the Kings Men Sunday School Class and had served on various other committees of the church.
Survivors in addition to his wife of 49 years are sons, Charlie Franklin “Chuck”, Jr. and wife Melanye Coursey and Michael Duncan “Mike” Coursey, all of Greenwood; a daughter, Suzanne Coursey Cobb and husband Michael of Greenwood; grandchildren, Anna and Jonathan Hanvey, Lauren and Jennifer Paige Coursey and Graham, Grace and Coursey Cobb; great grandson, Hunter Coursey; sisters, Mary Bradshaw of Greenwood and Margaret and husband Frank White of McCormick; and a brother, Bo and wife Brenda Coursey of Gainesville, GA.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Sunday at Harris Baptist Church with Rev. Frank Thomas and Rev. Ray Wray officiating.
Burial with Masonic rites will follow in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Ted Martin, Jerry Davis, Gerry Miller, Roy Beasley, Dan Wideman, Gerald Jeffcoat, Curtis Stewart and Howard Corley.
Honorary escort will be Kings Men Sunday School Class, Northwest Volunteer Fire Department, Troy Shealy, Dr. James Smith, Dr. Stanley Baker, Dr. Rowland McKinney, Dr. Richard Hunton, Carl Burrell, Jon Sherrill, Jimmy Brabham and Bob Olson.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1:00 PM Sunday.
The family is at the home in Lakewood Heights and will receive friends from 4-6 PM Saturday at the funeral home. Those desiring may make donations to the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 49697 Greenwood, 29649, or to Harris Baptist Church Building Fund, 300 Center Street Greenwood, 29649 in memory of Mr. Coursey.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is serving the Coursey family.
PAID OBITUARY

Junior Couch

CROSS HILL — Junior Miller Couch, 82, of 161 Wuthering Heights, Cross Hill, husband of Hathleen Dills Couch, died Friday, November 25, 2005 at the Hospice House in Greenwood.
Born in Harris, NC, he was a son of the late Miller Couch and Lelia Skipper Couch Hayes. He retired from Abbott Machine Company and was a US Marine veteran of World War II. He was a member of East Side Baptist Church and the Men’s Sunday School Class.
He was twice married, first to the late Evelyn Virginia P. Couch.
Surviving is his wife of the home; two sons, Daniel Miller Couch of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and Randall Callie “Randy” Couch of Greenville; two stepdaughters, Marlene Curtis of Forest City, NC and Linda Griffin of Alaska; a stepson, Ralph E. Nichols of Shelby, NC; three sisters, Juanita Hayes, Aileen Green and Carolyn Cooper, all of Spartanburg; a brother, Leon Hayes of Spartanburg; three grandsons, Carson Couch, Hunter Couch and Shawn Couch; three great grand-daughters, Kristen Couch, Megan Couch and Brooklyn Couch; nine step grandchildren and 14 step great grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Thomasson and the Rev. E. A. Cooper officiating. Burial will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville.
Pallbearers will be Allen Griffin, Jimmie Goodwin, Douglas Goodwin, Scott Nichols, Lester Nichols and Roger Bryant.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m.
The family is at the home.
It is requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to Hospice House, HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Addie Hopkins

MAULDIN — Addie Brian Lunsford Hopkins, 94, of 111 Kingsley Drive, widow of Lloyd Stevenson Hopkins, died Friday, Nov. 25, 2005 at the Summit Place in Simpsonville.
Born in Elberton, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Pauline Thompson Lunsford. She was a graduate of Centerville High School in Elberton. She was a member of Harris Baptist Church in Greenwood and of the T.E.L. Sunday School Class.
Survivors include two daughters, Margaret Andrews of Greenwood and Hilda Ferber of Atlanta; a son, Dale Hopkins of Mauldin; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
Services are at 3 today at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood, conducted by the Rev. Frank Thomas. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Honorary escorts are members of the T.E.L. Sunday School Class of Harris Baptist Church.
Visitation is from 2-3 today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Harris Baptist Church, 300 Center St., Greenwood, S.C., 29649.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Greenwood is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.

Robert Hughes

SPARTANBURG — Services for Robert Hughes of 784 Jackson St., Spartanburg, are at 3 Sunday at Robinson and Son Mortuary in Greenwood, conducted by the Rev. Ronnie Jeffcoat.
The family is at the home of a sister-in-law, Brenda Carter, 411 Beechwood Circle in Greenwood.
Robinson and Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com.

Ruth E. Kircus

La FRANCE — Ruth Ellington Kircus, 92, of #4 Davis Street, widow of Harry Lee Kircus, died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005, at the Hospice House.
She was born in La France, the daughter of the late Charlie and Lelia Chapman Ellington. She was a retired textile employee and a member of La France First Baptist Church.
Surviving are two daughters: Anne Hall and husband, Sonny, of Greenwood, and Lelia Jones of the home; four sisters, Letta Graham, Letha Tompkins, and Betty Barnette, all of Anderson, and Bonnie Williams of Pendleton; one brother, M. C. Ellington, of Pendleton; her friend and caretaker, Gail Coker, of Liberty. Six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jane K. Bowman, two sisters, Margaret Wells and Lola Yeargin, and a brother, Charlie Ellington.
Graveside services will be at 3 P.M. Sunday at Old Stone Church Cemetery conducted by the Rev. Gene Burdette. The body is at Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel, and the family is at the residence. The family will receive friends following the service at Old Stone Church.
Flowers are optional. Memorials may be made to the Jane K. Bowman Scholarship Fund, c/o Pendleton High School, P.O. Box 869, Pendleton, SC 29670.
SULLIVAN-KING MORTUARY, NORTHEAST CHAPEL, in charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Edna Turner

NINETY SIX, SC — Edna Rae Hare Turner, 81, of 170 Cliff Rd., died Thursday, November 24, 2005 at Hospice Care of The Piedmont.
Born in Saluda County, and a daughter of the late Thomas Wesley and Fannie Mac Smith Hare, she was the wife of Clifton E. Turner. Mrs. Turner was retired from Saluda Shirt Plant and was a member of Hopewell Congregational Holiness Church.
Surviving is her husband, Clifton E. Turner of the home, a son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Grace Neal of Saluda, two grandchildren, Russell Neal and Windy Addy and three great-grandchildren, Brittney Neal, Brent Addy and Jason Addy.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8PM, Saturday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 3PM, Sunday, November 27, 2005
at Hopewell Congregational Holiness Church with the Rev. Louis Murray and Rev. Dennis Campbell officiating.
Interment will follow at Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery.
PAID OBITUARY

Panthers take a bite out of Vikings

B-L beats Emerald in Class AA Upper State final

November 27, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

Batesburg-Leesville was the victim of Emerald’s first state championship in football.
The Panthers exacted some revenge seven years later, ending the Vikings’ chances for a second trip to Williams-Brice Stadium.
The Panthers, behind a formidable defense, which allowed Emerald’s vaunted offense only 167 total yards, claimed their third straight win over a No. 1 seed with a 20-14 victory in the Class AA Upper State final at Frank Hill Field at Emerald.
B-L (12-2) advances to AA state title game for the fifth time in eight years and will face Cheraw — which defeated Carver’s Bay in the Lower State final — next Saturday.
“I can’t describe it ... it’s a very emotional because you fall in love with the kids and they go out and play their hearts out for you,” B-L coach Courtney McInnis said. “It’s just such a great feeling.
“Whoever’s in front of them, they don’t mind it. I think that was three number ones in a row. And this bunch believes they’re a number one seed.”
The Region III-AA champion Vikings end their season, the first under coach Mac Bryan, 11-3. It’s the program’s best record since the 1998 title squad went 12-3.
“I’ve very proud of our team. I think we’ve had a great year,” Bryan said. “I hate that we might have come a step short of where we wanted to go.
“But Batesburg played a heck of a ballgame. When you get this far, it comes down to who makes the plays.”
The Vikings had one last opportunity to win the game with less than 5 minutes remaining trailing by a touchdown.
Emerald opened its final drive with a first-and-10 from its own 34. After quarterback Dan Wideman threw one of his 20 incompletions on the night, the Vikings’ senior rolled out to the right, trying to buy time on second down.
But Wideman failed to see teammate Justin Calhoun completely alone deep down field and settled for a 3-yard run. Two plays later, the Vikings caught a break on fourth-and-3 when the Panthers committed one of their 12 penalties, keeping the Emerald drive alive.
However, that drive would go only one more play.
Wideman hit his top receiver Demarco Anderson for a short pass. The senior wide out picked up 5 yards before fumbling for the second time on the night.
B-L recovered on its own 48 and proceeded to run out the remaining 3:42 off the clock.
“We had a couple of fumbles we don’t usually have,” Bryan said. “We’ve done a great job of winning the turnover battle and that’s how you win 11 ballgames in a year.
“I credit them with doing a great job defensively on us. We never could quite get in a rhythm offensively.”
Wideman finished the night completing 11 of 31 passes for 104 yards. During one stretch in the first half, the Lakelands’ Player of the Year, who added 55 yards and a score rushing, was 2-of-17 for 12 yards and an interception.
“They did a nice job in the secondary to keep us off stride,” Bryan said. “They kept us from getting things clicking.”
The Panthers took the game’s first lead not long after collecting the first turnover.
On the first play from scrimmage, Anderson gained 8 yards on one of his seven receptions, but lost control of the ball. B-L’s Josh Harris fell on it at the Emerald 34-yard line.
Three rushing plays later and B-L’s Chaimas Johnson took the toss to the wide side of the field for a 24-yard touchdown.
The Panthers’ extra point was wide, leaving B-L up only 6-0.
The Vikings’ offensive struggles were evident through the first quarter. The team’s first four possessions ended with a turnover and three punts.
However, Emerald caught a break on that third kick.
Freshman punter James Childress made a leaping grab of a high snap and got the kick off.
The ball bounced off B-L’s Johnathan Chatman and Emerald’s Hakeem Freeman recovered on the Panthers’ 16.
Two plays later, Wideman was pushing his way through the B-L defense on the option keeper for the 16-yard score.
Sophomore kicker Joseph Taylor booted the extra point to give the Vikings the 7-6 lead with 4:35 left in the first.
But Emerald wouldn’t get close over the remaining 16 minutes of the half, but B-L did.
While the Vikings had four drives end on punts and one on a Wideman interception, the Panthers put two scores in the end zone, both coming from quarterback Garrett Jones.
The B-L quarterabck capped a four-play, 2:37 drive with a 10-yard score. Jones ran in the two-point conversion for the 14-7 lead.
After an Emerald punt, the Panthers went on a 6-play, 63-yard drive that ate up 3 minutes of clock and ended with Jones rolling out and finding Dontrelle Inman for the 24-yard TD pass.
Jones was 9-of-17 for 92 yards passing and added 40 rushing.
“Garrett did a good job for us,” McInnis said. “He’s a competitor.”

QB ends Hornets’ title hopes

Murphy scores twice in 4th quarter to finish Ware Shoals’ year

November 27, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

WARE SHOALS — At first glance, you could have confused him for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.
He was a quarterback wearing a black and red No. 7 jersey, and he made scrambling, freestyle running plays when everything else seemed to have broken down. He had 196 yards rushing and two touchdowns, both in the fourth quarter.
But it wasn’t Vick — it was Calhoun County High School’s Tavarus Murphy.
Murphy’s big game propelled the Saints to a 17-7 win over Ware Shoals Friday night at Riegel Stadium in the Class A Upper State title game. Calhoun County (13-1) will now go on to face Blackville-Hilda next Saturday in the state championship game.
“(Murphy) is the best high school athlete I have ever seen,” Ware Shoals coach Jeff Murdock said. “He made plays you just can’t scheme against. If he keeps it up, he’ll be playing on Sundays.”
Ware Shoals ended its season 11-3. Friday’s game was just the Hornets second appearance in the Upper State championship since 1983.
“We won the region title this year and we’ll look back on this season with happy memories,” an emotionally spent Murdock said. “But right now, we’re crushed.”
The pace of the defensive, run-oriented game was set early on.
Each team had only one possession in the first quarter. It was an aspect indicative of the offensive style of each team. Ware Shoals ate up clock with its wing-T.
Meanwhile, Calhoun County kept the clock rolling using the I formation. However, the more appropriate name for the set might have been “Murphy to the right, Murphy to the left, Murphy up the middle.” The senior quarterback’s 196 yards came on 36 carries. He also passed for 58 yards.
“He’s just one of those special players,” Murdock said. “We knew we’d have to find a way to slow him down, and he still got it done.”
Ware Shoals found the end zone first early in the second quarter, courtesy of wingback Tony “Moon Pie” Lomax.
Beginning the drive at their own 22-yard line, the Hornets got runs of 9, 6 and 8 yards from Lomax to begin the drive. Later, Lomax closed the scoring march by plowing his way into the end zone from 6 yards out. The touchdown put Ware Shoals up 7-0 with 10 minutes, 11 seconds left in the first half.
The Saints wasted little time answering Ware Shoals’ score.
Calhoun County began a drive at its own 42-yard line and proceeded to move the football with a series of short passes and slithery runs by Murphy. The Hornets’ defense stiffened at the 11 however, forcing a Saints field goal. Kicker Chris Hloubi trotted on and booted the 28-yarder through the uprights to cut Ware Shoals’ lead to 7-3 with 4 minutes left in the first half.
The third quarter paralleled the first as each team had only one possession.
Calhoun County drove the ball 55 yards to open the second half before turning it over on downs, and the Hornets were forced to punt on their only third-quarter possession.
The fourth quarter proved fatal for Ware Shoals.
On its first possession of the fourth quarter, Calhoun County looked as if it would have to punt, as it was facing a third and 16 from the 50-yard line. That’s when Murphy once again stepped up.
Murphy took the shotgun snap and scrambled to his right. Hemmed in, he doubled back to the left and found a seam. He dashed 40 yards to the Ware Shoals 10. Two plays later he dove over the goal line for the go-ahead score, giving Calhoun County a 10-7 lead with 7:56 left in the game.
After Saints’ linebacker John Haynes intercepted a Keith Stewart on the ensuing possession, Calhoun County sealed its win with another touchdown.
Murphy once again burst over the goal line, this time from two yards out, to cap a 39-yard drive and give the Saints the 17-7 win.
“I’m proud of everything we did,” Murdock said. “This team accomplished some great things. They don’t have anything to hang their heads about.”

Football player’s advice: good grades are needed

November 26, 2005

Give former Emerald High School football player Joe Woolridge a big hand. After he made it to Western Kentucky University, he left no doubts about his ability as a football player. That speaks for itself. He recounted a lesson learned, though, that every youngster who wants a future in athletics should note.
Academic problems required that he go to a junior college before moving up. He lost time.
Woolridge says he wishes he had realized how important good grades were so he could have played on a higher level earlier.
He now shares that valuable lesson with younger players. If they’re smart they’ll not only listen, they’ll listen and learn.
But, then, experience is also a teacher. It teaches but there’re always those who don’t learn. How many will look back and wish, too, they had realized how important grades were?
But, then, it’ll be too late ….. and what goes around will come around ….. one more time.