The Jim Cawley High School HERO Reception & Award Ceremony took place in the Duncan Ballroom at the University of Tennessee at Martin the last week of April. Twelve Weakley County students were nominated, and Trey Eddings of Dresden High School was one of two recipients of $500 scholarships.
UTM’s Dr. Keith Carver served as the keynote speaker as the legendary broadcaster was celebrated for his thousands of broadcasts of sporting events in Northwest Tennessee and student athletes were recognized.
“For more than 35 years and more than 3,000 games, Cawley was the voice of Obion County high school sports. He covered mostly Union City athletics, but also broadcast both Obion County Central and South Fulton preps as well,” explained Becky Gallagher of Forever Communications, WENK and Froggy 99.3, the hosts of the event.
The Jim Cawley High School HERO Athlete program was launched last fall as principals were asked to nominate a male and female athlete from their school to be honored at the spring ceremony and be in consideration for two scholarships.
Weakley County nominees were Parker Ferrell, Trey Eddings, Maconnell Forrester, and Keely Mathis from Dresden; Kolton Crochet, Gracie Long, Isaac Denton, and Carrington Lifsey from Gleason; Edie Darby and Chandler Finch from Greenfield; and Angelina Barr and Garner Anderson from Westview.
Students from Obion County, South Fulton and Union City High Schools were also recognized.
The scholarships went to Eddings of Dresden and Alexus Hooper of Obion County Central.
Dresden Principal Scott Killebrew attended the ceremony, “I think it is a great way to honor student athletes whose work ethic rises above others. Trey Eddings is one of the finest young men and a great leader to those around him. I think Mr. Cawley or any broadcaster would have loved calling Trey's games. He would have appreciated what he does on the football and baseball fields. His courage is great, and it helps him succeed in sports.”
Killebrew told organizers he hopes the program will continue.
“As an educator, coach, and administrator for 26 years, I appreciate the time that he put into broadcasting games. The HERO program should grow,” he concluded.
Along with Forever Communications, WENK, and Froggy 99.3, sponsors included Snappy Tomato Pizza, Thompson, McConnell & Hurst CPAs, Jerry Ward Autoplex, Forever Communications, and Tyson.
Nominees for the first Jim Cawley HERO Scholarships in attendance at the April ceremony were: (from left to right, front row) Edie Darby, Alexus Hooper, Jill Caldwell, Ariel Hughes, Mary Pitts, Sophia Hodges, Parker Ferrell, Gracie Long, Angelina Barr; (from left to right, back row) Chandler Finch, Trey Eddings, Brayden Clark, Chris Baker, Riley Candill, Cameron McClendon, Mason Gaskins, Kolton Crochet, Isaac Denton. (Not pictured: Macconnell Forrester, Keely Mathis, Carrington Lifsey, Garner Anderson.)
Dresden's Parker Ferrell and Trey Eddings with Forever Communications' Jordan Taylor
Gleason's Kolton Crochet and Gracie Long with Taylor
Greenfield's Edie Darby and Chandler Finch with Taylor
Westview's Angelina Barr with Taylor