Godbee Signs With West Point
Last week at Vidalia High School senior standout student-athlete Tom Godbee signed to wrestle with Army and became the first athlete to receive an athletic scholarship to West Point. Godbee was a two-time State Champion in wrestling, a two-year starter on the Indians football team and a Captain for the team this past season. He has the most wins in wrestling in school history with 220. Godbee is also the second student at VHS to receive a Congressional Appointment to West Point.
Godbee said, “I have been working for this for so long. I finally signed and got my certificate of admission. I know it is going to be a hard four years, but I am really excited to compete at the college level, that has been a goal of mine for a very long time. I hope I can be an asset to the wrestling room at West Point and be able to grow as a wrestler. I want to thank my parents, coaches, friends, teammates and everybody that has supported me. I want to serve my country and become a better leader at the academy so I can lead men who will fight for our country.”
VHS Head Wrestling Coach Bobby Blount stated, “It’s a great opportunity to coach a kid like Tom, he is a once in a lifetime kid that comes along to be able to coach. This is something he has always wanted to do and he went out and got it. I am very proud of him.”
Fred Godbee, his father, added, “He has always been a hard working kid since he came out of the womb. Sometimes I tell people he is a 30 year old in 17 year old's body. He has worked hard and we are proud of him. I am glad he is going to get the chance to wrestle in college and continue to fulfill his goals, and maybe going to the Olympics one day. The other benefit behind it is he is going to get to serve our country which I feel is really important.”
Mandy Godbee, his mother, said, “It is really awesome to see his dreams come true. For so long he has waited to receive the call. He had other calls from other coaches and schools, but he really had his sights set on either the Naval Academy or West Point. It started at a very young age for him, and when he set his sights on something he is going to get it. This is all Tom, he made it happen and we are super proud.”
