By Eric Richards, Track and Field Coach, Woodward High School
Four track and field athletes at Woodward Career and Technical High School in Bond hill have committed to attend Wilberforce University, a Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Cyair Baker has committed to attend Wilberforce University on a track and cross country scholarship. She is currently a senior and she plans on majoring in organizational management.
Also, Tajearish Simpson has committed to Wilberforce University on a track and cross country scholarship. She plans on majoring in business marketing.
Lontez Black has committed to Wilberforce University as well on a track and cross country scholarship. He will major in biology.
Artica Kenny committed to Wilberforce on a track and cross country scholarship, and will major in criminal justice, with plans on being an attorney.
Woodward signing day represents the culmination of years of dedication, early mornings, late-night practices, and sacrifices both seen and unseen. It is a day that proves to these athletes-and to the world-that hard work does open doors. Each signature on a letter of intent is more than a commitment to a college; it’s a commitment to continued growth, to representing their city with pride, and to inspiring the next generation of young athletes watching from the stands.
Coach Eric Richards is one of the head track and field coaches at Woodward. He has been mentoring students athletes getting into college at the age of 19 as one of the youngest head coaches in the United States and Cincinnati Public Schools history. He has long instilled in his student athletes the belief that track and field is not just about running, but a vehicle for life values, as the sport teaches discipline, teamwork, and the ability to overcome adversity. “These young student athletes have learned that success is not given-it’s earned through sweat, struggle, and an unshakable belief in their purpose,” he said. He advises the students “to stay humble, stay hungry, and remember that your success is not just your own, but a beacon of hope for those coming after you.’’