Willingham stresses education, sticking to goals

Josh Willingham is enjoying the rewards of making his lifelong goal a reality: the Florence resident is a major league baseball player.

"In elementary school, I said I wanted to play major league baseball and will do everything I can to make that dream come true," Willingham told Deshler Middle School students Tuesday. "I knew the odds were stacked against me, but I wasn't going to let anyone tell me I can't do it."

It took hard work on the baseball field and in the gym to reach that goal. It also took dedication in the classroom, said Willingham, who played at Mars Hill High School and the University of North Alabama before he was drafted by the Florida Marlins.

Today, he is a starting outfielder for the Washington Nationals.

Willingham is serious about the importance of education. He proved that at UNA by being named an Academic All-American.

"I knew if baseball did not work out for me, I needed something to fall back on," he said.

Willingham also proved he is serious about the importance of education when he called out the names of six students.

They are students who have the highest grade in their class in specific subjects such as math, social studies or English. Willingham called each student forward and autographed a baseball for them, much to the delight of the six and their classmates.

"I wouldn't have been able to play major league baseball if it hadn't been for college ball, and I wouldn't have been able to play college baseball if I hadn't made good grades in high school," he said.

Willingham stressed the importance of reaching goals. "You have to set your goals high and be very determined to reach those goals and make sacrifices," he said. "When I was coming up, there were a lot of guys better than me. But I was more determined."

At 30, Willingham hasn't forgotten his Shoals roots. He will host a dinner and auction Sunday night followed by a celebrity golf tournament Monday at the local Robert Trent Jones golf courses. Funds go toward playground equipment in the Shoals and Christmas gifts for underprivileged children.

Baseball players expected to attend include Marquis Grissom, Dan Uggla, Jeremy Hermida and Austin Kearns. Professional angler Tim Horton and musician Gary Baker are among other celebrities expected.

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@timesdaily.com.