Athletic Award Namesakes
At the conclusion of each school year, athletes, coaches, parents, fans and others gather to recognize athletic achievements from the current school year. There are a number of named awards that are given annually. It is important that we understand our history. On this page, we've attempted to piece together our past in order to give our Vikings a sense of those who came before us. This is a work in progress. If you have information to add, please contact the school.
Named Athletic Awards at White Oak High School:
Edward R. Mason – Mr. Mason was the first assistant principal and athletic director at current White Oak High School (Piney Green Road). Mr. Mason worked at WOHS for 27 years (1970 - 1997). He worked for 20 years with his friend and principal, Mr. Amos Stroud. Together they opened the doors to the White Oak we know today. Mr. E.R. Mason was instrumental in beginning many of the athletic programs our students enjoy today. Mr. Mason was born on Dec 23, 1939 and passed away on Apr 12, 2018, at the age of 78. When Mr. Mason passed away, WOHS officials determined that a prestigious award should be named for this Viking Pioneer.
William Parrish – Coach Parrish was the first head football coach at the current White Oak High School (Piney Green Road). He was the head coach in White Oak's first victory against the Cardinals of Jacksonville High School. As a WOHS social studies teacher and coach in the 1970's, he assisted Mr. Mason in an unofficial assistant athletic director capacity, a position that didn't exist at the time. Coach Parrish helped create the original football field at White Oak High School "from scratch."
Reginald Montford- Reginald was a 10th grade student-athlete at White Oak who was paralyzed from the shoulders down during an accident at a home JV football game against West Carteret on Oct. 12, 1978. He died several days later. The award for the best overall athlete at White Oak has been named in his honor since 1979.
Quincy Monk- Quincy was a tremendous 3-sport student-athlete at White Oak. Noted for his dedication and work ethic, Quincy was an honor student who had perfect attendance for all 12 years of school. Athletically, he was a varsity letter winner in football, basketball & track his 10th, 11th and 12th grade years. He was the starting quarterback on the football team, as well as a 1000 point scorer in basketball on teams that won back-to-back Conference & Sectional championships. Offered a basketball scholarship by several Division 1 schools, he instead choose to play major college football at UNC. He played 4 seasons in the NFL with the NY Giants and Houston Texans, after which he became a business success in the Triangle. Monk suffered a stroke in the summer of 2015 and while in for treatment, doctors discovered that he had cancer. He died on November 24, 2015 from cancer at the age of 36.
Deborah Edith Emerson Suter- Mrs. Suter was the wife of Col. Jack Suter, an assistant wrestling coach at White Oak during the late 1990’s and early 2000's. The Suters had twin boys who were outstanding wrestlers at White Oak. Mrs. Suter was born on Feb. 15, 1953. Debby died after a heroic battle with cancer on May 2, 2003 at age 50. Her courage and determination through that battle, while still supporting White Oak wrestling was a true inspiration. Col. Suter established and funded the award in her honor to recognize a wrestler each year that represents that type of determination and courage that inspires his teammates.
Paul Long- Mr. Long was a JV football coach and taught at Tabernacle School (the old White Oak High School site and current OCSA soccer fields). The Paul Long is awarded to a two-sport male athlete.
Werner Feser- born Dec. 4, 1931, died Sept. 24, 1982. He was married to Masako Kay Feser. He died at the age of 50. The Werner Feser Defensive Player of the Year in Soccer is named in his honor and awarded to annually to a member of the Men's and Women's soccer teams.
Larry Pope- The Larry Pope is awarded to a two-sport female athlete.
Paul Wiggins – Mr. Wiggins was the second principal to serve at current White Oak High School (Piney Green Road). He worked at WOHS from 1990 to 2007. Mr. Wiggins embodies the essence of servant leadership. At the 2018-19 Athletic Banquet, under the leadership of AD Grimes and Principal Barnes, the first Paul Wiggins Distinguished Service Award winner was named, Mr. O. Perry Ditch. The award was created to honor a coach, parent, staff member, or community who has supported Viking athletics unselfishly and with the utmost heart in victory or defeat. The winners of the Paul Wiggins upholds the competitive spirit, traditions, and ideals of White Oak High School.