THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 12, 1994 TAG: 9407120405
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Borrowing from his favorite sport, tennis, Western Branch's Donnie King ``aced'' every high school class he ever took.
``There was a lot of luck involved,'' King said. ``I studied, but mainly I have a fairly good memory. Once I hear something, it sticks with me.''
One bit of information that stuck with King as he completed his senior year at Western Branch was a tip from one of his friends, Clark Hetzler, who told King to look into the possibility of landing one of the Norfolk Sports Club's $2,000 scholarships.
A former baseball player at Churchland High who attends the University of Virginia, Hetzler had been awarded one of the grants the previous year.
So King applied. Was there any way the Norfolk Sports Club could turn down such a shining resume? A straight-A student headed for William and Mary, King was salutatorian of his graduating class, as well as captain of Western Branch's tennis team.
Therefore, it was no surprise that the Norfolk Sports Club had a scholarship with King's name on it Monday night when the club held its annual dinner at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Virginia Beach.
The festivities increased the Norfolk Sports Club's scholarship total to 381 in 45 years, during which it has awarded nearly $480,000 in scholarship money.
With an endowment fund of more than $600,000, the Norfolk Sports Club's scholarship program never has to touch its principal, providing the grants off the interest of the fund's varied portfolio.
King has a scholarship portfolio of his own, receiving a variety of grants - the Portsmouth Sports
Club also awarded him a $1,000 scholarship - totaling $7,400. Estimated cost of a year at William and Mary is $8,400.
Hoping to earn a degree in accounting and possibly apply it to corporate law, King has already lined up a job between classes. He'll work as a drafter for Hopkey and Associates in Williamsburg.
``I took three years of drafting in high school and figured I might as well use it,'' King said. ``I'll start with them in mid-August.''
Meanwhile, he's making some extra money working at a Food Lion in Chesapeake.
He still plays in the occasional doubles tournament with former Western Branch teammate Mike Lawrence. But King, who played No. 4 singles for the state quarterfinalist Bruins, said his playing days are numbered.
He has toyed with the idea of trying to walk on William and Mary's tennis team, but he realizes the Tribe's talent level might be too advanced.
``I was a district quarterfinalist in singles and a semifinalist in doubles,'' King said. ``But they play great tennis at William and Mary. I'm fairly passionate about the game, but . . .''
Studies will come first. Knowing that, King is trying to get in as much tennis as possible this summer. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
D. KEVIN ELLIOTT/Staff
Western Branch tennis player and salutation Donnie King was one of
the 22 athletes who received a $2,000 scholarship from the Norfolk
Sports Club.
by CNB