Mocs’ Swabek, Webster are now on scholarship
Tom Arth has made it very clear during his time as University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football coach that hard work will be rewarded.
So far, that’s primarily been through playing time.
Last Thursday before practice, Cody Swabek and Jacob Webster saw another way.
The two former walk-ons were put on scholarship prior to last week’s final practice for the game against Virginia Military Institute — a 34-27 win that put the Mocs at 6-2 overall and 4-2 in the Southern Conference heading into Saturday’s matchup at Furman. And both made contributions to the victory over VMI.
Webster, the team’s starting tight end, caught a pass for 5 yards and has three receptions totaling 29 yards in the past two games — the first collegiate catches for the sophomore.
Swabek, a senior receiver, covered an onside kick with 1:04 remaining to seal the victory.
“Both guys are just great representatives of our program,” Arth said Tuesday. “They’re both very good students, both very involved in the community, both great people. I think everybody on the team can look at these guys and say, ‘Yeah, I can respect them.’ Certainly they’ve earned it.
“Webby especially has played a big role in our offense, while Swab continues to add
value. He earned that scholarship on the onside kick at the end of the game and made a great play. I’m proud of both of those guys. We have some other guys that are right on that brink (of earning a scholarship), and we’re hoping we’re able to do that.”
Arth called up the two players in front of the team prior to Thursday’s practice, speaking about the contributions they had made this season. But neither player was suspecting what was coming next, and when Arth informed them that they would be scholarship athletes, they were mobbed by their teammates.
“It took me a minute to realize what he was saying,” Webster said. “Knowing everything I’ve put in and being with the guys, it felt really good. I enjoy being out here with the guys; I know everything I’ve put into it made everything that much better.”
Webster and the other tight ends have become a more important part of the offense as the season has progressed. The group has six catches with four in the last two games, led by Webster’s three.
“It’s good knowing that Nick (Tiano) can trust me,” Webster said of the UTC quarterback. “I’m always an option. We have great weapons out there so I’m not always needed, but I’m there if need be.”
Swabek is in his second season with the program after starting his college career as a track athlete at Louisville.
“It was a great feeling at first,” he said. “It’s unreal to me now that I think about it in the moment. Everything I’ve worked for the past five years is finally being recognized and realized. I’m still speechless about it. When it happened, Webby and I didn’t know what to say or do; the only thing I could think about was my mom, my brother, my family, everyone I’ve been doing this for the last five years.
“It was a great feeling all around.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.