Former Doniphan athlete walks on at William Woods University

DONIPHAN - Doniphan High School graduate Sean Gazaway has been awarded a football scholarship to play in the inaugural season at William Woods University.

2024 will be the first year in the university’s 153-year history to field a competitive football team, and Gazaway will be part of the historic first roster.

Gazaway played wide receiver and outside linebacker for Doniphan. He said that he is targeted to play slot receiver for the William Woods Owls.

“The recruiting process was good,” he said. “I liked what the coaches at William Woods had to offer me, and it felt like home.”

Gazaway graduated from Doniphan High School in Spring 2023, and he enrolled at William Woods in January. He is currently on campus in Fulton, MO and taking classes this semester.

“I like the campus,” he said. “They have nice facilities, and it just felt like home from the get-go.”

Gazaway plans to major in exercise science with the goal “of being a coach sometime down the line after I graduate college and my football career is over.”

Doniphan Athletic Director Adam Epps said, “Sean is a good athlete who will do whatever it takes to be good at his role. Academically, he worked hard to achieve his goals.

“Sean is a good-hearted young man who wants to do a good job,” Epps said. “He was brand new to us last year as a move in from Illinois. He really adapted well to the small-town lifestyle and enjoyed being a part of the community.”

Epps predicts that Gazaway’s work ethic will help him succeed at the college level.

“I think it will be an adjustment for Sean as it is for all high school athletes who play at the next level, but he is a hard worker and will figure out how to be successful.”

Gazaway’s own expectations include leading by example.

“My expectations for college are to maintain good grades in the classroom, build a culture for the football program here, and to set the standard for incoming guys.”