American Legion Posts 9 and 207 from Beaufort donated a $1,000 scholarship to local USCB baseball player Weldon Smith who played at Battery Creek High School.
The local American Legion provides a scholarship each year to a baseball player at USCB who is from Beaufort County to help bridge the gap between local baseball talent in Beaufort County with the Sandsharks at USCB.
According to George E. Miller, Athletic Director, American Legion Post 9, “The local American Legion baseball teams are supported by and dependent upon local businesses and individuals. As such, we want to help local ballplayers get a solid four year college education right here, at home.”
Smith, who received the scholarship, stated, “I am so thankful to the American Legion and the USCB baseball coaches for their amazing support.” According to Head Baseball Coach Rick Sofield, “There hasn’t been any more deserving player in our program to receive an award than Weldon. He is one of finest individuals I have been associated with at any level. I’m proud to know him.”
Such scholarships also motivate student athletes to remain at USCB for their entire four years of baccalaureate education. According to Athletics Director Ty Rietkovich, “Many local people still view us as a short-term campus, with the intent of transferring elsewhere after two years. But, more and more our athletes are viewing USCB as destination. This year we will be graduating our biggest class of student athletes to date. And there’s more to come.”
