After a successful journey through the various levels of youth league competition, his dreams of athletic achievements were shattered when he was diagnosed with leukemia during the summer before his freshman year.
Although weakened by his disease and the effects of its treatment, he continued to participate in athletics, never missing a football practice or game during his freshman and sophomore years. He passed away during the spring of his sophomore year and, as a tribute to the young man who wore it, his number 14 jersey has not been assigned since that time.
And thus, our honoree this evening is not being recognized for his skills and achievements as an athlete, but rather for his courage and determination as a young man facing life’s biggest challenge.
As his disease progressed in a predictable, and inevitable manner, it wore down and eventually conquered his body, but it never, ever captured his spirit.
The manner in which he battled this disease and maintained his involvement with school and athletics was an inspiration to all who knew him. To ensure that the qualities that he demonstrated to his peers are not lost to the next generations, an award is presented in his honor at the Trimble High School Awards Assemble each year. The inscription on that award emphasizes his courage and determination as well as his dedication to sports and sportsmanship.
Jim Valvano was a highly successful basketball coach at North Carolina State University. His 1983 team won the national championship. In 1992, Coach Valvano was diagnosed with cancer. During his very public battle with this disease he became nationally known for these words: “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”
Our honoree was a living example of that philosophy years before Coach Valvano received his initial diagnosis
The Trimble Alumni Football Players Association is proud to present the Tomcat Excellence Award for 2008 to the late Billy J. McClelland. Billy is being represented this evening by his mother Kay McClelland, his father, Robert McClelland, sisters Angela Andrews, Terri Smith, and Kristi Hook, brother Mike McClelland, and nieces Dana and Kayla Smith, and Nikki Roberts.
Presenting the award on behalf of the Alumni Football Players Association will be Alumni Football Player and Billy’s nephew, Kyle Andrews
On behalf of the Trimble Alumni Football Players Association, we extend our condolences to the McClelland family and express our appreciation for the manner in which the determination, courage and commitment of Billy J. McClelland has been an inspiration to Trimble athletes.