University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Honoring and Remembering the Legacy of Jeff Fox
02.22.2024 | Baseball
Cameron Johnson is in his senior season as a member of the UNC Asheville baseball team. Johnson has been wearing the No. 20 jersey for the past two years, but this season, Johnson steps onto the diamond wearing No. 6.Â
A jersey number is used to identify each individual on the playing field, but for Johnson and the UNC Asheville baseball program, the No. 6 jersey has a deeper meaning than just a form of identification.Â
The No. 6 jersey was worn by Jeff Fox, a former standout Bulldog baseball player who served as a Secret Service member and was charged with protecting American Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush during an eight-year stint at the White House. Fox passed away on March 16, 2021, from the COVID-19 disease.
Fox's character and athletic talent left a lasting impression on those who knew him. In honor of Jeff's memory, Head Coach Scott Friedholm assigns Jeff's No. 6 jersey each year to a player who exemplifies Jeff's values–loyalty, self-confidence, and dedication.
"When learning about the life of Jeff Fox and the meaning he had to UNC Asheville and his teammates, we decided it would be a great honor to award someone the No. 6 jersey every year," Friedholm said. "It was a tough decision with so many seniors this year, but Cam kept rising to the top as one who demonstrates the dedication, loyalty, and determination that Jeff exemplified and what our program needs as a teammate."Â
"To receive No. 6 is a great honor, especially in Jeff Fox's memory," Johnson said. "It's a testament to my coaches and teammates' trust in me."Â
Johnson becomes the third Bulldog to wear the No. 6 jersey in Fox's honor, as he joins Wade Chandler ('22) and Blake Little ('23).Â
"I love those guys [Wade and Blake], and I'm appreciative of what they left for us to continue to build on in this program," Johnson said. "They were willing to do anything they could to put the team first, and I also believe in that same approach."Â
Johnson was named the recipient of the Jeff Fox jersey at the team's annual Baseball Night in Asheville event on January 19. He was joined on stage by several of Fox's teammates, Terry Gahagan, John Turner, Kevin Hawkins, Brian Lancaster, and 2023 jersey recipient Blake Little. Â
"I was not expecting coach to call my name; it was surprising," Johnson said. "Having my parents and friends there was great, and I am extremely appreciative."Â
For Johnson, the No. 20 jersey also holds significant meaning, as he switched to No. 20 following his freshman year to honor his best friend who passed away.Â
"I switched to 20 to honor him and his family, and I still do each time I step onto the field," Johnson said. "I'm grateful to now get to honor Jeff as well."
Johnson and the Bulldogs return to action tomorrow, Feb. 23, for game one of the Bulldogs' three-game home opener series with Bellarmine. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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