University of North Carolina Athletics
Patterson Medal Brings Woodard Full Circle
January 10, 2008 | Baseball
Jan. 10, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - To celebrate his 12th birthday Robert Woodard watched a game from the upper level of the Smith Center. Wednesday, one day before he turned 23, Woodard was standing at center court receiving the Patterson Medal, which is presented annually to the University of North Carolina's most outstanding student-athletes.
"It's tough to put into words what that feeling was like," said Woodard, the winningest pitcher in UNC baseball history. "As a lifelong Carolina fan, it's a moment you've just got to try to soak in. It's a dream come true."
The entirety of Woodard's career in Carolina blue has to be considered a dream come true for the Charlotte native. Never the hardest thrower or the most "projectable" pitcher, Woodard willed his way to becoming one of the most consistent hurlers in college baseball in recent years. Known to hit the treadmill right after a start and to put in extra time running the steps at the old Boshamer Stadium, Woodard was never outworked by anybody, anywhere.
He finished 34-5 as a Tar Heel with a perfect 22-0 record at The Bosh. A three-time All-ACC pick, Woodard is the only pitcher in Carolina history to rank in the career top 10 in wins, winning percentage, innings pitched and strikeouts. He also ranks among top 10 in Atlantic Coast Conference history in victories and innings pitched.
Chosen to start the first game of an NCAA regional in three straight seasons, Woodard was at his best in big-game situations He shares a school record with five postseason victories, including what has to be the signature win of his career, a dominating, three-hit shutout of second-ranked Clemson in the 2006 College World Series.
Woodard helped pitch the Tar Heels back to Omaha this past June, but like all college careers his had to come to an end. "(Daniel Bard) and I talked about it a lot my senior year when he was gone - what it was like for him not being back. Last week I was talking to him about similar feelings I was having. I feel the four years I spent here were very special and I have nothing but good memories looking back."
However, he has picked up in the pro game where he left off in Chapel Hill. A 20th-round pick of the San Diego Padres, Woodard spit his first summer between the Class A Eugene Emeralds and the Triple A Portland Beavers and finished with a 3-3 record and two saves in 25 relief appearances. He also struck out 40 and walked just 11 in 37 2/3 innings.
"It was awesome," Woodard said of his first professional season. "I felt a little fatigued at the end as far as my arm. The 10 days I spent in Triple A was an awesome experience. I've seen the good and the bad from playing up there. I'd have to say it was just everything I thought it would be. I enjoyed the bus rides, playing with new guys and professional coaching is top-notch."
Woodard is currently living and working out in southern California and will report to spring training next month. After that his destination for the 2008 season is unknown.
"I have no idea what team I'll be playing for once spring training breaks," he said. "The plan is to go down to spring training and compete like always and put myself in the best position possible."
Sounds a lot like what he did the last four seasons in Chapel Hill.
