Page Fourteen — THE GRYPHON
RMSH Athletes Sign Grants
CROCKER SIGNS WITH STATE — Tommy Crocker proudly shows his signature
to his mother, Mrs. Fred T. Croclter, and Coach Jerry Carter. Tommy received a
four-year scholarship to N.C. State University.
1
HENLEY RECEIVES GRANT — Doug Henley recently received a four-year
baseball scholarship to Wake Forest University. Present for the signing were his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Henley and Coach Jerry Carter.
Tommy Crocker and Doug
Henley, outstanding senior
members of the 1975 RMSH
Baseball team, have received
grant-in-aids from major ACC
colleges: Crocker to North
Carolina State and Henley to
Wake Forest.
Tommy Crocker
Tommy Crocker, a well-
known RMSH athlete, signed a
four-year contract with North
Carolina State May 5 at
Municipal Stadium. Crocker
was recruited by Sam Esposito
of N.C. State over college scouts
from various other large
schools. He chose to attend
State over a two-year school
because its league, he feels, is
stronger, and also because
transferring often involves
difficulties. “I feel that I will
gain more experience at State,”
Crocker says. He also quickly
adds that NCSU just recently
won the conference cham
pionship.
A natural athlete. Tommy has
been involved with sports since
he was old enough to play on a
team. However, at RMSH, his
efforts have been aimed totally
at baseball. He has played
varsity baseball for three years,
playing the outfield, third base,
and the shortstop positions.
“My most memorable ex
perience came when I was a
sophomore. It was a broken-bat
single during the State
Playoffs.” The hit Tommy was
referring to drove in the tying
and winning runs. The Gryphs
continued to win the State
Championship in 1973.
Crocker fluently compliments
Coach Carter. “In my
sophomore year, (my being
young and playing with the
older guys) he helped me in the
winter with my hitting, and
after school with my fielding.
Tommy feels that his
association with Coach Carter
has done more to increase his
baseball ability than with any
other individual. “When it
comes to baseball, you won’t
find anyone who knows his staff
better and can teach it to you.”
Crocker’s parents have also
been helpful by backing him
100% and never forcing him to
play.
On the field, Crocker is a
leader in team spirit. His talks
with the pitchers in tight spots
are frequent, and on the bench,
Crocker is the one calling for
more hits. There was really no
leadership last year, so Doug
(Henley) and I tried. This year,
I decided that I’d try to give it
all I had.” As a result, the team
unity was good and spirit was
always there. Crocker was
recently honored with the
Leading Hitter Award for
finishing the season with the
highest batting average.
Tommy plans to play
American Legion ball this
summer before leaving for Stat.
“My dream has always been to
play baseball on TV.” If he
doesn’t make playing ball a
career, Crocker has considered
coaching. If Tommy continues
to play with the same natural
talent, energy, and zest, it will
not be a surprise to anyone who
knows him to one day see
Tommy Crocker, RMSH
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Doug Henlev
Doug Henley, three-sport star
at Rocky Mount Senior High,
signed a baseball grant-in-aid
with Wake Forest University
May 23. Athletic Director Dr.
Gene Hooks was the
representative for Wake Forest.
Although Wake Forest has at
the present a rather weak (but
quickly developing) baseball
program, Henley is excited
about pitching for the Deacons
next year. Recruited heavily by
numerous ACC scouts, Henley
chose Wake Forest “because I
know that I will get a better
chance to play there. I will also
be able to play football.”
(Henley was named to the 4-A
All Conference Football Team
as a punter this year.) By
playing in the Atlantic Coast
Conference, Henley will be
facing tough competition. When
asked if he were excited about
the prospect of pitching to
former teammate Tommy
Crocker (who recently signed
with North Carolina State)
Henley coyly repUed “Did A1
Downing look forward to pitch
ing to Henry Aaron?”
The name Doug Henley has
been seen with frequency on
local sports pages. Starting with
Small Fry, Little League, and
Support
s
F
A
Denson's, Inc.
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Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27801
Pony League Baseball and
Midget and Flag Football,
Henley has been in the sports
spotlight a major part of his life.
Henley burst onto Rocky Mount
Senior High stardom when, in
1973, as a sophomore, he helped
propel the Gryhpon baseball
team into the State play-offs
and won the 4-A championship
game that gave Rocky Mount
the State title. After this game,
Henley was heard muttering “It
was luck-just luck.” But Henley
proved it wasn’t a fluke by
having another highly suc
cessful year in the 1974 baseball
season, and this year he led the
Gryphon staff with an 8-1 record
and a sparkling 1.14 ERA.
Henley also has been a valuable
starter on RMSH varsity
football and basketball teams
the last two years.
Henley credits Coach Jerry
Carter for his recent baseball
success. “Coach Carter has
aided my development as a
baseball player fare more than
any other person,” Henley said.
“He has stuck by me in tight
situations and has registered
his faith in me as I have in
him.”
Henley’s probable major at
Wake is economics; although
his career goal is professional
baseball. Henley feels that, at
thisstage, experience is the thing
he needs most. With four years
of excellent experience at
Wake, he should be easily able
to achieve this career goal.
Since 1931
Keep On Truckin'
With
III
WNRY
To the 1975 - 76
T. A. C. Club:
Have a good year.
Your Senior Club Sisters
Gall Phillips
Sharon Bowens
Phyllis Goffney
Annie Cousar
Janet Harris
Thelma Lee
Janet Graham
Beverly Powell
Natalie Knight
Gloria Hines