For William Horne III, success on the football field and success in the classroom are not mutually exclusive.
The Oxford High School senior recently received academic all-state honors (second team) from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.
‘If you study and do your work, it definitely pays off in the long run,? said Horne, who played both tight end and middle linebacker for the Wildcats.
Horne, the son of Wayne and Sandra Horne, has a 4.149 grade point average and was voted best linebacker for the 2014 season by his teammates.
He joined the varsity team during his sophomore year while Oxford was in the playoffs. He proved his worth during his junior year when he started the last five games and the team voted him most improved defensive player. He was a team captain for the 2014 season.
Balancing football and his academic career wasn’t easy, especially when he was spending two to three hours a night doing homework and studying.
‘Honestly, there were a lot of late nights after I got home from practice,? said Horne, who’s a member of the National Honor Society. ‘Sleep took a little bit of a hit there.?
But neglecting his studies wasn’t an option for Horne.
‘I knew football was only going to be a couple years,? he said. ‘I had to get a good education, so I could get into college and get a good job.?
?(Education has) always been important to me because I look ahead in life. I plan ahead for a lot of stuff,? he noted. ‘A lot of my friends didn’t focus too much on their academics and so, it’s really hitting them now. They wish they would have focused more because they’re trying to apply to college.?
Horne’s dad has been a big influence in his life. He earned a master’s degree in business administration and has a successful career.
‘I’ve kind of idolized him,? he said.
Horne has been accepted to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford, Mississippi and Michigan State University in East Lansing. He’s also applied to the University of Michigan.
Because he’s originally from Mississippi and all of his family still lives there, Horne is leaning toward attending Ole Miss.
‘I love the South and I love the food,? he said.
Wherever he goes, Horne plans to major in business management/administration and minor in marketing. His goal is a career in marketing management.
He’s already got a head start on his future career thanks to his involvement in the Oxford DECA Club, a group of career-oriented students studying marketing, finance, hospitality, business management and entrepreneurship.
Last year, Horne was one of 30 OHS students who won at DECA’s state competition and earned the right to compete at the organization’s international competition.
Horne doesn’t plan to continue playing football in college, but he’ll never forget ‘the brotherhood? among his Oxford teammates and ‘the bond? he formed with them.
‘They’re some of my best friends,? he said.
He’ll also never forget the lessons he learned from Head Coach Bud Rowley, particularly the value of keeping one’s nose to the grindstone.
‘The only way you’re going to achieve what you want is to work hard and put the time in,? Horne said. ‘That’s what I’ve learned most from (Rowley) ? hard work and dedication. That’s the only way you’re going to succeed.?
Football season is over, but Horne isn’t done being a Wildcat athlete just yet. He’ll be playing lacrosse in the spring.