News

Mickey Marvin scholarship fund is 'a chance to give back'

Toby Jones, Jonathon Marvin, Don Jones and Richard Rhodes announced the Mickey Marvin Scholarship Fund on Thursday.

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 14, 2016

Mickey Marvin, the football star who played at West Henderson High School, the University of Tennessee and in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders, is being honored with a new scholarship.

Based on need, a positive attitude and sports participation, the scholarship and a golf tournament fundraiser to support it were announced Thursday in a news conference at the Hendersonville Country Club.

The first charity golf tournament in many years at the Country Club, the tournament will be held Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. The committee putting on the event is also selling sponsorships from $250 for a hole sponsorship to a $10,000 platinum. The tournament fee is $150 per player and $600 per team.

Marvin, 60, suffers from ALS and has made inspirational talks at Mud Creek Baptist Church. He played in the NFL for 10 seasons. As the starting right guard for the Raiders he won two Super Bowl Championships and played in 120 games, starting 108 of them.

"The support from everybody has been outstanding," said his son, Jonathan Marvin, who starred at West Henderson before playing at the University of Florida. "It means so much to myself, my mom, my sister, to dad. This has blossomed into something great. To be able to reach out to four schools, four different athletes every year is going to be a great legacy to leave."

Richard Rhodes, vice president of WHKP radio and a longtime sports broadcaster, recalled the football great joining him for a broadcast.

"Mickey came into the press box and put a headset on," Rhodes said. "The only time he ever sweated was talking to a radio audience of 12 on a Saturday night. Marvin raved about how great the West Henderson coaches were," especially when they were having a tough season.

"This is the first charity golf tournament for the Hendersonville Country Club in some time," added Don Jones, one of the organizers. "It is a chance to give back to a man who gave time, love and money to Henderson County."

Henderson County Schoolboard Chairman Bo Caldwell added: "Everyone has a Mickey Marvin story. I watched Mickey at West Henderson games. I just watched how he played the game. As a student, I would have been honored to receive this scholarship."

To donate make checks payable to Henderson County Education Foundation (designated for Mickey Marvin Scholarship Fund) and send to Mickey Marvin Scholarship Fund, 677 Spartanburg Highway, No. 65, Hendersonville, NC 28792.