Tuesday afternoon at T.J. Davis recreation, due to the rain, Randy Wrenn and Jeane Newsome the widow of coach Mike Newsome presented the 2nd Annual "Team Mike" Coach Mike Newsome scholarships to three area high school seniors.
The late coach Mike Newsome, who devoted so much of himself to the youth of the Roanoke Valley for nearly 50 years as a coach passed away January 16th 2015 at the age of 67. Friends came together to form "Team Mike" and find ways to honor the late coach Newsome and keep his memories alive.
So in 2016 it was decided to award a scholarship in his name to three area senior athlete students from high schools where coach Newsome coached.
Newsome coached the Varsity softball team at Halifax Academy for five seasons (99 - 03) with a NCISSA 1A State Championship. Newsome started and coached the Varsity softball team at KIPP High for four season (11-14) with a 1A Tar Roanoke Conference championship and conference coach of the year in 2013. Newsome coached the Varsity Roanoke Rapids Women's basketball team for one season (04 - 05) before a Heart attack sidelined him.
2017 Halifax Academy senior Drew Rose has been named as the 2nd Annual Halifax Academy "Team Mike" Coach Mike Newsome scholarship award winner.
2017 KIPP High senior Ke'shonna Gay has been named as the 2nd Annual KIPP High "Team Mike" Coach Mike Newsome scholarship award winner. Miss Gay will be attending the University of North Carolina at Ashville.
2017 Roanoke Rapids High senior Lauren Oliver has been named as the 2nd Annual Roanoke Rapids High "Team Mike" Coach Mike Newsome scholarship award winner. Miss Oliver will be attending University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
"Team Mike" organizer Randy Wrenn stated, "This scholarship award is just another way to honor the Late coach and also honor several senior athletes and schools Mike was part of for years. Coach was always willing to give his time to the kids in the Roanoke Valley. I guess that is part where I get my drive, because all the Roanoke Valley kids need to have fun and smile. Thanks to all that helped this year in the fundraisers for "Team Mike", with a special thanks to supporters in every event (Davis Body Shop, Discount Tire of Roanoke Rapids, TD Sports, Lynch's Signs and Graphics, Roanoke Cinemas, Today's Electronics, Clary's Speedway, Roanoke Rapids High School, Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp, Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation and the Northampton County Wellness Complex).
Coach Newsome's widow Jeane stated, "I also want to thank those that helped him with the fund raiser events in Mike's memory. Mike would be so happy to see this. He loved all of "his girls".