By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
For the past several years, EBCI tribal member Greg Tisho has been one of the top receivers in western North Carolina. Next year, the Swain senior will be taking it to the next level and suiting up in the orange and white of Tennessee.
Greg Tisho (seated) signs a letter of intent as a preferred walk-on with the University of Tennessee football program during a ceremony at Swain County High School on Wednesday, May 8. He is shown with his family (left-right) including: sister Alea Tisho, sister Shay Tisho and mother Libbi Swayney. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)
Tisho signed a letter of intent as a preferred walk-on with the University of Tennessee football program during a ceremony at Swain County High School on Wednesday, May 8.
“It feels great,” said Tisho. “I can’t wait to get there and get started. I’ve thought about this ever since pee wee football.”
When asked what he’s most looking forward to about going to UT, he commented, “Running into that stadium with over 100,000 people there.”
Tisho set state championship game records with 13 catches for 261 yards in the 2012 1AA championship game. The 13 catches is also a Swain school record.
He also set the school record for receiving yardage in a season with 1,441 yards his senior year, and he is second on the Swain career list for most receptions in a season with 66.
“I think it’s a dream come true,” said his mother, Libbi Swayney. “He has always wanted to play in Division 1. Mississippi State offered for him to come on, but he’s proud with his UT decision because it’s closer to home and they’ll be more fans able to watch him in person. It’s exciting.”
Swain head football coach Neil Blankenship commented, “I’m just so excited for him. It’s been a goal for him to go play Division 1 football. His hard work and his character is just what Greg is all about, and those are the things that I’m so proud of him for. He’s a great kid. He worked hard in the classroom and the weight room to get to this level, and I’m excited for the opportunity he’s going to get.”
In his high school career, which included a year at Cherokee High School, Tisho had 77 catches for 1,652 yards and 25 TDs. He was a member of Swain’s 2011 1AA State Championship team and the 2012 1AA State Runner-up team.
“Tennessee is getting a good one,” Coach Blankenship noted.
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