Terence Scott, Oregon

[The Dude]

He's from Knoxville, attended Central High, now playing WR for Oregon. Through two games, he leads the team in catches and has averaged over 16.1 per with 2 TDs. Basilio read a letter on the radio Friday that a coach from Central wrote to Trooper Taylor detailing Scott's accomplishments at College of the Canyons. In it he also detailed how he came from a very poor family without a father figure, and how even after finding out he wouldn't qualify for a D-I school like he hoped, he didn't quit and did not turn to a life of the streets like many of his HS mates apparently had. He further said that during his Sr year Central made it to state in track and everyone from the team, minus Terence, went to a movie the night before the meet. The coach asked him why and he said it was because he didn't have the cash. Of course the coach gave him the money and he looked him in the eye and said it was the nicest thing anyone had every did for him. No, my point isn't that UT sucks for not offering him, its just inspiring and amazing to me that someone can go from nothing to something. I know I and most everyone I went to college with had people there to help us up through the way, but don't think he's had those fortunate circumstances. Thought I would share the story and cheers to him making All-Pac 10.

 

[dickens821]

always glad to see a local kid do well :rock:

 

[kruugman]

You got part of the story right. Terence's family struggled, but they weren't quite that poor. I'm not sure who that coach was. I heard the letter on the radio and that's a bit of a stretch. Terence typically had enough money to see a movie. He probably just spent it all on that trip before the movie, like any typical teenager might. Not to diminish the point. He did come from a family that struggled to make ends meet, had to work very hard for what he has accomplished and his father was not a big part of his life. He did have a "father figure" though. TN didn't offer him, because out of high school they knew he wouldn't qualify for D1. Greg Adkins was a huge help in getting Terence connected with a great junior college and said they would sign him if they thought he could qualify. After juco, Terence's course load qualified for Pac-10 programs, but not SEC. SEC schools have tougher transfer requirements than the Pac-10. TN, Florida, LSU, Georgia and South Carolina all showed some level of interest in Terence after juco, but the course requirements and inability to transfer in time for spring ball were the main reason they all backed off. Southern Cal also was very interested, but Oregon seemed like the best fit.

For more about his story, you can read this article from the Oregon school paper. It's a great story about his accomplishments.

Hearts of gold - Sports