Drew Medford Memorial Tournament hits record

Drew Medford came so close to realizing his dream of playing college baseball. However, he died only days from the start of his freshman year at TCU.

However, in memory of the Paschal High School graduate, the Drew Medford Memorial Tournament is held every spring. A scholarship is awarded to one player on each team participating in the tournament.

The player may not be the best player on the team, but he must embody the characteristics of Drew, a drive to succeed, humility and empathy for others, and a leader on his team.

Since the tournament was established in 2017, more than $44,000 in scholarships have been awarded. The 2019 tournament, to be held this weekend (Thursday-Saturday), played on several area baseball fields, will host 16 teams and award $32,000 in scholarships to 16 varsity athletes, $2,000 to each player chosen.

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“Drew was an unbelievable guy, I mean great baseball player but an even better person,” said Darrell Preston, head coach of Paschal High School’s varsity baseball team. “Drew made me a better coach, but he made us all great people.”

Medford was killed in a one-car accident on Chisholm Trail in August of 2016. He had received a scholarship to play for the Horned Frogs.

Consideration for the scholarships is given to players that would benefit from the financial assistance. They will be presented Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Paschal baseball field before the final game of the round-robin tournament is played between crosstown rivals Paschal and Arlington Heights.

Other tournament host sites are Arlington Heights, and Mansfield’s Summit and Legacy high schools. In addition to the host schools, the participants include Trinity Valley and Fort Worth Country Day schools, Mansfield Timberview, Temple, Duncanville, Lake Ridge, Fossil Ridge, Mansfield, Arlington Martin, Hurst L.D. Bell, Weatherford, and Ennis.

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“My parents drove all over the state for my brothers to play baseball. A lot of sacrifices were made financially,” said Adrienne Grant, sister of Medford and founder of the tournament. “Our goal is to establish a tournament where great baseball is played and local athletes can be showcased.”

The Drew Medford Memorial Tournament  has raised a record-breaking $32,000 in scholarships for the tournament participants.

Taking place on March 7-9, the DMMT will award a $2,000 scholarship to one senior player from each of the 16 local teams competing.

To date, more than $44,000 in scholarships have been awarded through the DMMT, and $32,000 will be awarded at the 2019 tournament.

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Scholarships will be presented on Saturday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m., at the Paschal High School baseball fields before the final game of the tournament is played by cross-town rivals Paschal and Arlington Heights.

Tournament host sites are Fort Worth’s Paschal and Arlington Heights high schools, and Mansfield’s Summit and Legacy high schools.

In addition to the host schools, the participants include Trinity Valley and Fort Worth Country Day schools, Mansfield’s Timberview, Temple, Duncanville, Lake Ridge, Fossil Ridge, Mansfield, Arlington’s Martin, HEB’s LD Bell, Weatherford, and Ennis high schools.

Those interested in sponsoring the DMMT can visit www.dmed12.org/donate, or contact Adrienne Grant at Sponsorship@dmed12.org.

www.dmed12.org

– FWBP Staff