FARMVILLE — Looking back a few years ago in the paper you might recall reading about a young man named Thomas Rogers. Rogers attended Randolph-Henry High School and then went to Fork Union Military Academy. After two years, he began schooling at the University of Virginia and continued his career in sports.

Rogers joined the UVa basketball team as a walk-on prior to the 2010-2011 season and has been on the team for three years. This year is his fourth and final year. But as to Rogers surprise, this year was going to be a special season and he found out why on Monday afternoon.

Before the season begins playing official games, the coaches always arrange a game of softball where the coaches play against the athletes. At the end of this year's annual softball game there was an interesting surprise awaiting him.

“After the game Monday night, my coaches came up to me and told me that I was offered a scholarship for basketball. I was amazed and very happy,” said Rogers.

Rogers' parents were thrilled as well. His mother, Jan Rogers, began to have a cracked voice while being interviewing because of the tears she was holding back. “We are so very proud of Thomas. This is a blessing and he has worked so hard to deserve it,” Mrs. Rogers exclaimed.

Rogers, commenting on his parents reaction, said, “It felt good to hear them react that way when I told them on Monday. It makes me proud to make them proud.”

Being a scholarship player, now entitles Rogers to a tuition-free school year. He also went on to say, “I believe that our program has the best coaching staff in the country. It is nice to be rewarded by them for working hard these past three years; they are genuine people.”

In his previous years on the team, Rogers would practice 30 hours on the court a week while having to keep up with his school work as well. Although never receiving a scholarship until now, his basketball efforts never ceased. “When Thomas told us that he wanted to go to UVa, we asked him was he sure about it because of the short playing time he might receive. He pursued to go to UVa and worked hard even still,” Mrs. Rogers commented.

While in his senior year of high school, Rogers was the James River District's Basketball Player of the Year. He has earned First-Team All-District, Second-Team All-Region, and Honorable Mention All-State recognition. During that year, he averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds per game. “Thomas was all about baseball entering high school but played basketball too. R-H was the place where he really fell in love with the sport and decided to pursue it,” added Jan.

Shortly after, Rogers continued his basketball success at Fork Union where he averaged 15 points and five rebounds a game. He was the team's leading scorer at Fork Union as well.

This season he plans on becoming a more vocal leader and leading by example. “Since I am a senior, I want to be an all-around leader on the team this year. I want to show the younger guys how they can succeed on the court and off the court with academics.”

Rogers, an english and history major, has plans of becoming a Financial Advisor after finishing up at UVa.