More on Jim Whorley and Some Other Thoughts

You couldn't watch local news yesterday without seeing how much people adored Jim Whorley. It shows how much someone means when you see people that you think of as men of steel and immortal break down and show emotion with their tears. It especially makes me proud to see a person I coached in Heart of Virginia volleyball, Shelley Parker, to show so much character to sit there and speak about Mr. Whorley. I am not saying it's easier for adults, but to have a high school student stand up there and speak about her principal. It just made me proud to say I was her coach for a few months. If you want to read my earlier blog on Jim Whorley, you can read my previous post.

However, I have been thinking of something that I think would honor Jim Whorley. I don't have to get credit for the idea. It's not about me at all. It's about honoring a great man. So, Seminole District Principals, Athletic Directors, Coaches, if you are reading this, please take note.

We need to get something started called the Jim Whorley Award. I think even though Mr.Whorley had a contribution to the Region and as Leon Brandt said "It's a tremendous loss for the state."

Anyways, the Jim Whorley award would be given to a Seminole District athlete (I wouldn't care if you gave one in each sport, I definitely at least think you should give one to a male and female athlete at the end of the school year) that exemplifies excellence in three areas. Leadership (it can be within the school or within the community), athletic achievement (this could be considered a bit of a gray area, because I don't think you necessarily have to give it to a superstar athlete because then you narrow your field greatly) and finally academic achievement (excellence in the classroom I think was just as important to Jim Whorley as anything) because all principals, I don't care how much they love athletics, want to see their students succeed in the classroom.

Anyway I can help spearhead this effort, I'd be more then willing to help. But, I think this award will always keep the legend of Jim Whorley alive, even after those who knew him best are not around to let everyone know what a great man and public servant he was.


Holiday Hoops
Tonight, Altavista's Christmas Tournament will begin. In the 6:00 tilt, William Campbell will battle Tunstall, followed by Cumberland against Altavista. Tomorrow night, William Campbell will play Cumberland in the opener, followed by Altavista and Tunstall.

In Salem, the Holiday Hoopla tournament continues. The finals pit Garfield against William Fleming, other consolation matchups feature Cave Spring against Patrick Henry, Osbourn plays Hidden Valley and Salem plays Brooke Point.

At Northside, the Northside Invitational continues with today's games featuring winners brackets games that will pair Franklin County and Liberty, and the other semi features Lord Botetourt and Northside. The consolation bracket features Blacksburg against William Byrd, and Martinsville and Staunton River.

At the William Byrd Lady Terrier Classic, Salem will play Lord Botetourt and Staunton River will tangle with Cave Spring. Brookville did not travel to Vinton to play Saturday, due to Jim Whorley's death, no word right now if Brookville will play William Byrd on Monday. The other matchup will see Northside play Heritage.

Tonight in Appomattox, boys basketball will be on display as Appomattox plays Timberlake and Rustburg will play Suessx Central. Tomorrow night, the Red Devils will play Timberlake and Sussex Central will square off with Appomattox.

Finally, at the Register and Bee Tournament in Danville, action concludes with the championship between G.W. Danville and Dan River. In other consolation action, Eastern Alamance will play Liberty Christian Academy, Chatham will play Reidsville (NC) and Morehead (NC) takes on Gretna.

Any other hoops matchups you want to alert people to or any comments, feel free to leave them.

By the way, hopefully "The Sports Buffet" will be starting up again soon. I am very excited about it to start contacting and interviewing coaches again on a regular basis.