Melvin Newell Award
The Rocky Mount Breakfast Optimist Club presents the Melvin Newell Award annually to the most outstanding player in Little League Baseball who meets the qualifications as established in 1963 by the membership of the Optimist Club.
The award was established to honor the memory of Mr. Melvin Newell, a postman, who was tragically killed in an accident while on the job. Mr. Newell was a Little League coach as well as a youth leader in many other ways in the community. He was very active in his church and his community and tried to teach and instill in each of his players the qualities of sportsmanship, loyalty, integrity, fair play, and Christian ideals.
It is with these characteristics and Mr. Newell’s leadership by example attitude that the Optimist Club established this lasting tribute to his memory by recognizing the player possessing the qualities that were most important to Mr. Newell.
Winners Year
Tristan Murray - Wesley Men 2019
Tevin Jones - Wesley Men 2018
Ashton Rhodes - Chambliss & Rabil 2017
Coleston Dempsey - Chambliss & Rabil 2016
Brayden Leonard - Pizza Inn
Connor Powell - Chambliss & Rabil 2015
A.J. Jones - Pizza Inn 2014
Andrew Page - Western Sizzlin
Donnie Trey Whitley, III - Evening Optimist 2013
Tyler Sherrod - Pepsi 2012
Braxton Varnell - Hester & Moore 2011
Tyler Barrett - Wesley Men 2010
Forrest Bell - Breakfast Optimist
Samuel Lilley - Pepsi 2009
David Williams - Pizza Inn 2008
Chase Roupp - Pizza Inn
Adam Bayless - Wesley Men 2007
J.R. Parks - Hampton Inn 2006
Thomas Berry - Sundrop 2005
Mathew Berry - Sundrop
Collins Cuthrell - Breakfast Optimist 2004
Dillon Cockrell - Strechlon 2003
William Barringer - Hester & Moore 2002
Chad Womble - Wesley Men 2001
Jonathan Tyndall - Hester & Moore 2000
John Bryan Stilley - Evening Optimist 1999
Michael Hedgepeth - Evening Lions 1998
Jonathan Proctor - Wesley Men
Adam Barkley - Wesley Men 1997
Steven Strickland - Western Sizzlin 1996
Tre' Taylor - Pepsi
John Robbins - Breakfast Optimist 1995
David Watson - Spooners 1994
Eric Johnson - Western Sizzlin 1993
Barrett Bodiford - Breakfast Optimist 1992
Jeff Strickland - 1991
Kenny Wilson - Elks 1990
Lance Rhodes - Wesley Men 1989
Jeff Swanson - WRAL 1988
Shane Waller - Wesley Men 1987
Jon Carter - Breakfast Optimist 1986
Will Marshburn - WRAL 1985
Scott Lewis - Wesley Men 1984
Donnie Whitley - Sun Savings 1983
Clint Rouse - Breakfast Optimist 1982
John Seagroves - Shoney's
Donnie Bobbitt - Breakfast Optimist 1981
John Adams - Breakfast Optimist 1980
Charlie Long - Western Sizzlin 1979
Mike Doyle - Pepsi
Tim Medlin - Joyner's Athletic House 1978
Barry Butler - Pepsi 1977
Paul Bauer - Pepsi 1976
Bill Merrifield - Abbott Labs 1975
John Kennedy - People's Bank
Will Boseman - Lion's Club 1974
David Wells - 1973
Vernon Silver - 1972
Randy Roberson - 1971
Phillip Braswell - 1970
Doug Henley - 1969
Tim Landen - 1968
Randy Warwick - 1967
Charles Bell - 1966
Glenn Medlin - Englewood Methodist 1965
Lee Braswell - 1964