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There aren’t many West High sporting events where Malachi Monroe hasn’t either been in attendance or on the field.

Monroe, a two-sport athlete, has spent four years on the gridiron with the Trojans while also competing in track and field. In between, he can usually be found in the stands supporting nearly every other Trojan team.

Monroe is all about West High.

“I’ve been around the school since my dad was teaching in 2012, so being here all this time, and then finally getting here as a student, it means a lot to me,” Monroe said. “All the family I have here, all the friends. It’s home to me, for sure.”

“Without my friends, my family and all the community around Morristown, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything that I got done. So I really appreciate that. And the love they give to me that they show throughout the games. They see me in public anywhere, they really show me love.”

After all the work Monroe poured into the program, former head coach Alvin Sanders helped find him a home at the next level.

Monroe signed to Tusculum University to continue his academic and athletic career on Thursday.

“I’m honestly blessed,” Monroe said. “Coming into this year, I didn’t think I was going to get the opportunity to because of what we were looking like, but Coach Sanders, like he always does, made a way and got it done.”

For Sanders, watching Monroe reach the next level carries special meaning.

“Malachi is like all my players; they always feel like part of my family, like sons to me, but this one is extremely special to me. Malachi, I’ve known him since he was a kid. His parents and I went to school together, went to college together, and so I’ve been a part of his life since day one. And so to watch him grow from a kid to the young man he is now. Knowing the character he stands for, the goals he has for himself in life, I don’t worry about him not being successful, because I know where he comes from and what his drive is. And so very proud and happy for him to have this opportunity.”

From Sanders’ perspective, Monroe learned early in life that “it takes a village,” and he brought that mentality with him to Morristown West.

“With the school, he’s a friend to the ones that need a friend,” Sanders said. “He’s a shoulder lean on whenever they need Him. So now taking that same mindset into the athletic team, a team-first type thing, it’s the same thing in school and that was kind of developing who he is, and he’s gonna always be there to support and challenge them and be ready to hold each other accountable.”

As he moves to the next level, Monroe said Tusculum is getting a hard worker and hopefully a record breaker.

Monroe took on whatever role he was asked to do and was always ready when his time came. As the second running back in the room during his junior season, Monroe rushed for more than 500 yards and seven touchdowns. He followed that up with another 500-yard season and eight touchdowns as a senior.

“That’s something Sanders preaches every day,” Monroe said. “And that’s just never gonna leave my mind. When your number is called, you need to be ready. And I feel like when he when my number was called, I never failed to let him down in what he

needed me to do.”

Sanders echoed Monroe’s words.

“Tusculum is getting a young man who understands the game of football,” he said. “He understands that his role can change at any time. And that’s been the best thing for us about having Malachi be part of our team over the last four years. Any given time, he’s ready to go step in and perform a role. ‘Hey, we need somebody at linebacker. He said I got it, coach.’ If I needed this done in special teams or offense to go be a guy to carry the load tonight. Whatever it may be, it’s whatever’s best for the team. And so he’s been that type of player each time. He has the opportunity to be an elite playmaker, and so Tusculum is getting a kid that’s ready to work, willing to take it to the next level and to prove himself. So I’m really thankful to Coach (Billy) Taylor and his staff for giving him the opportunity.”

Though stepping into the collegiate ranks is a big step, Sanders doesn’t expect Monroe to have trouble finding his place with the Pioneers.

“He’s going to be able to kind of find his niche, and kind of go from there just because of the person he is,” Sanders said. “He’s going to give everything he’s got. And so naturally, the more competitive the game is, he’s going to rise to that occasion, and so Tusculum is getting a kid who is ready to go compete.”

For Monroe, he is starting his college career with a simple goal and letting the rest fall into place.

“I really want to continue growing my relationship with God. That’s my number one. I want to get that done and just see where it takes me from there.”