Congrats, inductees, and thank you

Published 3:53 am Sunday, September 30, 2007

By Staff
By Kevin Travis, Sports Editor
It’s a night Sam Leggett, Terrance Copper, Susan (Campbell) Hodges and Tommy Woolard most likely won’t soon forget.
The former Pam Pack greats were honored Friday night at J.G. “Choppy” Wagner Stadium, becoming the four newest inductees into the prestigious Washington High School Walk of Fame.
It came on a night when the Pam Pack rolled to a 47-6 win over South Central.
Leggett was an exceptional basketball player for the Pam Pack. The 1972 graduate went on to coach varsity basketball and is currently the Pam Pack’s golf coach.
Hodges, a 1978 graduate, was a standout in tennis and basketball. She was voted her team’s MVP in both sports.
Woolard is a 1951 graduate. He was a football star for the Pam Pack, and was named his team’s MVP in 1950. Woolard was nicknamed, “All-State,” by Choppy Wagner.
Copper, a 2000 graduate, set school records in receptions and receiving yards for the Pam Pack football team. Following a successful career at East Carolina, he is currently a member of the New Orleans Saints.
Copper, who did a handful of television interviews following the induction ceremony, was hounded by young and old for autographs and pats-on-the-back during the night.
While the fans were thrilled to see Copper, he was equally happy to see them.
“I love coming home,” Copper said. “Getting to watch a great football game, especially since we won, was great. Just to get to see the fans again was special.
“To know that a lot of people appreciate the things that you have done here at Washington High School, it felt good. I wish I had my other teammates here with me because, without them, I wouldn’t be here. This was definitely an honor.”
Washington coach Sport Sawyer asked Copper to say a few words to the Pam Pack players following the game. Many were wide-eyed and wore smiles as Copper spoke.
“I told them to stay close and stay tight-knitted as a team and as friends,” Copper said. “I told them to listen to coach Sawyer because he’s a great coach. They have a good chance to be really good this year.”
It was a special night for the team, the fans and the newest members of the Walk of Fame.
Fittingly and deservedly so, the inductees, who received plaques in honor of their accomplishments, were given a standing ovation by the fans.
Congratulations to Leggett, Copper, Hodges and Woolard.
And thank you for everything you have done for Pam Pack athletics.
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Kevin Travis is the sports editor of the Washington Daily News. You may reach him at 940-4217, or by e-mail at Kevin@wdnweb.com. You may also view his blog, KT’s Take On Sports, at http://wdnsports.blogspot.com.