"My dad came up with this saying for me during a dinner just the two of us had in early 2005. I was at a point in my life where I knew I really wanted to do something to differentiate myself in academics and athletics. He told me to always be my own man with my own principles and to never underestimate the importance of integrity and establishing my own identity. So there it was -- E.Y.I. I have written 'EYI' on the bill of every baseball cap and written it on my wrist tape for football games ever since that night."

WHY GARNER'S TREY GRISSOM?

"Trey Grissom is a great example of the outstanding people involved in the area's high school athletics programs. I want our high school athletes of the year to be more than athletes with great athletics prowess. Hopefully, The N&O's male and female high school athletes of the year are positive role models. Grissom is an outstanding student and is an exceptional athlete. He is a community volunteer and a patriot."

-- Tim Stevens

FAVORITES

ICE CREAM: Breyers slow-churned creamery-style chocolate

RESTAURANTS: Kanki and Waraji

CAR: Z71 pickup

SUBJECT: math

VACATION: snowboarding trips

MOVIES: "Blood Diamond," "Apocalypto"

TV: ESPN, Court TV, FUSE

MUSIC: alternative and classic rock

MOST INSPIRING TEACHER: Jon Sherwin, physics/theory of knowledge, Garner

I WEAR 3 IN FOOTBALL AND 16 IN BASEBALL BECAUSE: I am named after my grandfather and my dad. I am a third, and I've always gone by Trey. I was too big to wear the No. 3 baseball jersey my junior year, so I got an extra large with a 16 that had been worn by Matt Medlin, a former Garner player that I admired.

TOP ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT: earning a football scholarship/academic appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy

BEST U.S. PRESIDENT: Harry S. Truman

I'D ADD TO MOUNT RUSHMORE: my Pops

PERSONAL

HEIGHT: 6 feet, 3 inches

BORN: Jan. 31, 1989, Garner

PEOPLE THINK THAT I'M: strictly hard core into athletics

BUT I'M REALLY: passionate about music and theater

CHILDHOOD TOY: Hot Wheels car collection

EMOTIONAL MOMENTS: The high was blocking an extra-point attempt against East Wake to seal a win in 2005. The low was losing to Durham Riverside in the state semifinals in 2006.

SIBLINGS: stepsister, Heather Barbour, 23; brother, Travis, 15

PARENTS: Macon and Cheryl Grissom; Kimberly Springfield

HANGS OUT WITH: all my wonderful friends and younger brother Trav

DRIVES: 2000 GM Sierra Z71 4WD pickup

YEAR BY YEAR

9: academic all-conference football and basketball

10: academic all-conference football and basketball

11: all-conference football and academic all-conference football and baseball; junior marshal; Rotary Youth Leadership Award

12: all-conference and academic all-conference football and baseball; National Honor Society; Beta Club; Rotary Youth counselor; outstanding senior