2016 Athletic Scholarship Recipients

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Billy and Margie Schrivner Scholarship

The Jackson Madison County Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors sponsors the Billy and Margie Schrivner Scholarship in honor of the couple’s dedication to the organization. Billy is a Hall of Fame inductee and former president and board member. Although retired from the active board, Billy still serves in an advisory capacity. Billy and Margie have demonstrated a passion for the Hall of Fame’s mission over the years and have dedicated countless hours of their time to promote the recognition of sports excellence in Jackson-Madison County.

Chavis Fuller of North Side High School is the recipient of the Billy and Margie Schrivner Scholarship. Fuller played basketball and was a member of the Beta Club. He was named All-West Tennessee, All-District, and All-State and received the 2015 Wendy’s Heisman Award for his accomplishments on and off the court. With a 3.4 GPA, Fuller ranks 26 in his class of 200 and plans to attend Austin Peay State University.

The Jackson Sun/Gannett Foundation Scholarship

The Jackson Sun/Gannett Foundation Scholarship is funded by the Gannett Foundation. The Jackson Sun has a long and rich history of covering and promoting high school sports. The organization considers it a great honor to help further the education of a local high school scholar.

Adam Joyner of Madison Academic Magnet High School is the recipient of the Jackson Sun/Gannett Foundation Scholarship. Joyner played soccer and ran cross country for the Mustangs. In soccer, he was named All-District twice, All-Tournament, All-West Tennessee, and TSWA All-State his junior year. In cross country, he was named to the All-West Tennessee First Team and All-Region team. Joyner boasts a 4.0 GPA and 32 ACT score, and he signed to play soccer at Lee University in the fall.

Morgan Kelley Memorial Award

The Morgan Kelley Memorial Award is presented in memory of Morgan Kelley by her family Mike and Jan Kelley. Morgan graduated from Madison Academic Magnet High School and was a student at Lambuth University. Morgan had a heart defect, and her family wishes to preserve her memory by providing other high school athletes financial assistance for their educational pursuits.

Lucas Kilzer of Liberty Technology Magnet High School is the recipient of the Morgan Kelley Memorial Award. Kilzer ran cross country, and he competed at the state level two years, placing 25th. He was nominated to run in the Sports Down Under Race three years in a row. With a 3.5 GPA, Kilzer ranks 33 in his class of 189 and plans to attend Jackson State Community College.

Morgan Leah McCarty Memorial Scholarship

The Morgan Leah McCarty Memorial Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization funding college scholarships to local student athletes. The foundation was established in September 2006 in loving memory of Morgan Leah McCarty. Morgan was a junior at UT Knoxville when she was hit and fatally injured by a hit-and-run driver. Morgan’s legacy will be to help students complete their college education.

Alex Garrett of University School of Jackson is the recipient of the Morgan Leah McCarty Memorial Scholarship. Garrett was a five-year member of the varsity baseball team. Garrett pitched for the 2014 State Championship baseball team, and was named Prep Baseball Report Tennessee Pitcher of the Week, USA Classic All-Tournament, All-Region, All-District, and Jackson Sun All-West Tennessee Team Honorable Mention. Garrett boasts a 4.11 GPA and plans to play baseball at Rhodes College.

R. Bradley Hancock Award

The R. Bradley Hancock Award is given by the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame annually as a memorial to former board member Brad Hancock. Brad’s legacy is a testament to his life and the good works he did. He was instrumental in starting the scholarship foundation, so it is only fitting that an award bears his name.

Ally McFarland of University School of Jackson is the recipient of the R. Bradley Hancock Award. McFarland played softball and volleyball, and received multiple awards, including All-District, All-District MVP, All-Region Tournament team, TSCA and TSWA All-State First Team, and Jackson Sun All-West Tennessee First Team. Her most notable honor is being named Miss Softball DII of West Tennessee in 2015. McFarland holds a 3.41 GPA and plans to attend University of Tennessee.

Richard Ross Scholarship

The Richard Ross Scholarship honors the memory of the late Richard Ross, who was a Hall of Fame inductee in 1993. He was the head football coach at Jackson High School and Jackson Central-Merry High School from 1966 to 1985. He passed away in 1993 after a long battle with cancer. The scholarship was established shortly after to help athletes with their college costs.

Reginald “Reggie” Davis III of Jackson Central Merry Academy of Medical Technology is the recipient of the Richard Ross Scholarship. Davis played football and baseball for the Cougars, and recently he was invited to participate in the NoKaOi National Football Showcase in Honolulu, Hawaii, this summer. Davis was recognized with the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists Award of Excellence and Freshman Student of the Week in 2013. With a 3.46 GPA, Davis ranks 22 in his class and plans to attend the University of Memphis.

Solus Performance Training Award

The Solus Performance Training Award is funded by the SOLUS Foundation for Fitness and Well Being. The foundation is dedicated to preparing and educating children and young adults through physical activity, proper training techniques, and basic fundamentals to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Matthew Cade Willingham of South Side High School is the recipient of the Solus Scholarship. Willingham played tennis and was a three-year starting quarterback of the football team. He set many school records and was named Week 11 National South-Eastern Player of the Week, Jackson Sun Player of the Week, Team MVP, All-Region First Team, and All-West Tennessee Second Team. With a 4.0 GPA, Willingham ranks eighth in his class of 171 and will attend either University of Memphis or University of Tennessee at Martin.

Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Scholar Athlete Award

The Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Scholar Athlete Award honors an athlete who has excelled in their athletic endeavors, as well as scholastic achievements, while a Jackson-Madison County student. This athlete is recommended by guidance counselors and coaches. Funding is possible due to a grant provided by Dr. Keith Nord and the staff from the Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Clinic.

Addison Dunn of University School of Jackson is the recipient of the Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Scholar Athlete Award. Dunn played soccer and softball for the Lady Bruins, receiving multiple awards including District MVP, Region MVP, TSWA and TSCA All-State, and All-West Tennessee Player of the Year. With a 4.52 GPA and 31 ACT score, Dunn plans to attend Union University.

Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Athlete Awards

The Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Athlete Awards honor three athletes who have excelled in their athletic endeavors and other extracurricular activities while a Jackson-Madison County student. These athletes are recommended by guidance counselors and coaches. Funding is possible due to a grant provided by Dr. Keith Nord and the staff from the Sports, Orthopedics and Spine Clinic.

Michael Saia of Sacred Heart High School is a recipient of the Sports, Orthopedics and Spine scholarship. Saia played football and was named MVP, Defensive MVP, Most Outstanding Freshman, Jackson Sun Player of the Week (2013), and NHSA All-Tournament Player (2015). With a 4.68 GPA and 31 ACT score, Saia plans to attend the University of Tennessee.

Stone Craft of Trinity Christian Academy is a recipient of the Sports, Orthopedics and Spine scholarship. Craft played baseball and basketball and was a member of the skeet team. He received the Lions Award for his performance on the basketball court and competed at the state level for the skeet team. With a 4.5 GPA and 25 ACT score, Craft plans to attend University of Tennessee at Martin.

Kennedi Dancy of Liberty Technology Magnet High School is a recipient of the Sports, Orthopedics and Spine scholarship. Dancy played softball as second baseman and outfielder and was a member of the cheerleading squad. She received the 2013-14 Softball Crusader Spirit award and was a recognized as part of the National Society of High School Scholars. With a 3.92 GPA, Dancy ranks seventh in her class of 189 and plans to attend University of Tennessee.

Van and Louise Thompson Scholarship

The Van and Louise Thompson Scholarship honors the memory of Van and Louise Thompson. Van is a Hall of Fame inductee and a former Jackson High School multi-athlete star. He played tailback on two National Championship teams at the University of Tennessee in the late 30s and early 40s, when the Volunteers went to the Orange, Rose, and Sugar Bowls. Louise is also a UT graduate and taught school in Jackson for over 25 years.

Harrison Holt of Madison Academic Magnet High School is the recipient of the Van and Louis Thompson Scholarship. Holt played soccer and ran cross country and track. He made three state championship appearances for cross country and two for track, placing third in 2015 for both sports. He set school records for his 4x800 time and cross country state score. With a 4.0 GPA and 32 ACT score, Holt ranks sixth in his class of 120 and will attend Rhodes College to study business and vocal music.