A Note From Warren May
Warren May started the Montee J. Hoke Memorial Wrestling Scholarship in 2017. Below is an excerpt of his experience wrestling in Coach Hoke's inaugural 1955 season — and of the vision behind the fund.
To honor Coach Hoke (Williamston's first wrestling coach), to give back, to encourage young people to try wrestling and to help graduating seniors with educational expenses beyond high school, I have decided to donate a total of $50,000 to establish and maintain the Montee J. Hoke Memorial Wrestling Scholarship at WHS. It will be an endowed scholarship — so only the interest will be used for a yearly scholarship, ensuring that it will go on for as long as there is a wrestling program at WHS.
It would be great if others also donated to the scholarship to share in its ownership. When I mentioned the scholarship at our 60th high school class reunion, Harold Whittemore immediately spoke up to ask if he could contribute.
The idea of establishing a scholarship has been in the back of my mind for a long time. Late in May 2017, I decided it was time to move forward. After discussions with my attorney and accountant to understand the legal and financial aspects of an endowed scholarship, I reached out to WHS and the wrestling program.
In June, two of my classmates — Dick and Barb Cole — contacted Brad Johnson, and I soon connected with Athletic Director Tom Hampton, Wrestling Coach George Manson, and Brad. After weeks of phone and email discussion, we concluded that the Annual Booster Club Golf Outing on September 16, 2017 would be the right moment to announce the scholarship.
I spent the day riding around in a golf cart with George, being introduced as a member of the inaugural 1955 team, in town for his 60th class reunion. At the banquet following the tournament, I announced the scholarship. I expected the group would be pleased — but their expressions and applause took my breath away.
After the shock wore off, several boosters began brainstorming how to build on the fund. One suggested turning my $50,000 into $250,000. Might be "pie in the sky" — or maybe not. Contacting wrestling alumni from the 60-plus years of the program has great potential. Nothing would make me happier than having as many donors as possible with an ownership stake in this scholarship.
Early in the process I attempted to locate Coach Hoke. I had stayed in touch with him for a few years after graduation, but had lost contact. On July 29, 2017, I reached his daughter Cindy, who informed me her dad had passed away in 1989 — and that she was the last of the Hoke family. Cindy shared information about the Hoke family and, especially, about her dad's art career after coaching wrestling. For me, it was a deeply emotional conversation. Cindy was pleased to hear about the scholarship, and I promised to keep her updated.
At the golf outing I noticed the slogan, "If Not Now, When?" When is now for establishing the Montee J. Hoke Memorial Wrestling Scholarship at WHS.
— Warren May, WHS Class of 1957