35°
Womack was found dead on Feb. 20 at the age of 48 of natural causes.
All proceeds from the bowling tournament will go to the Byron Womack Scholarship Fund. Competition begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 14 at Homefield Bowl, 938 Saw Mill River Road in Yonkers. For more details, call 914-969-5592. The cost/donation is $50 per bowler.
Womack was assistant principal at Port Chester Middle School for the past eight years.
Womack, son of Willie and Shirley Womack, was born on April 2, 1969. He was the youngest of their three children. The family was raised in South Windsor, CT, and from an early age the importance of being a good person was instilled by his loving parents.
Womack and his siblings were encouraged to participate in sports for the positive impact it had on their character to be part of a team. Byron, in particular, excelled at athletics and was a member of numerous traveling sport teams as a youth. These early lessons reverberated thru-out Womack's life and work. He dedicated his career to uplifting children and arming them with confidence and self-worth. His mantra, which he boldly wrote in his office, was: "It's all about the kids."
Womack participated in sports at South Windsor High School. He was a member of the varsity football team, as well as the track and field team.
As a senior and captain of the football team, Byron rushed for more than 1,300 yards and scored 24 touchdowns, earning a full scholarship to Norfolk State University.
Womack transferred to Iona College in New Rochelle as a sophomore and went on to be named team captain and All-America. He set numerous school records as a running back and an NCAA all-divisions record for kickoff returns for touchdowns in a career with six.
After graduating from Iona College with a degree in social work, Womack was employed with the Guidance Center's START program that was housed at Port Chester High School.
During his tenure with START, he had the opportunity to counsel students and coach numerous sports teams. With the desire to gain practical experience and ultimately have full-time employment within a school district, Womack was hired as a college advisor at All Hallows High School, and then the Young Women's Leadership Network, while working as an assistant athletic director at the College of New Rochelle.
During this time, he also returned to graduate school, earning a Master's Degree in School Guidance and Counseling, which brought him back to the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District. While working as a school counselor at Port Chester High School, he completed his second Master's Degree in School Administration and Supervision.
He was the executive director of the STEER for Student Athletes, Inc. where he helped young athletes realize and maximize their potential in the classroom and on the field.
In this article by Daily voice, Womack said that he felt "blessed" to be part of the STEER team and to help it carry out its mission.
STEER started out as a pilot program in Port Chester and now is in the Yonkers school district and two schools in the Bronx.
In January 2017, Womack received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee's Humanitarian Award, for his dedication to the Port Chester community.
Womack's greatest achievement and the source of his pride was his daughter, Carson. He loved her beyond measure and was a devoted and loving Dad. Byron's impact was wide and far-reaching, much like his bear hugs and his hearty laugh. His legacy lives on in his students, his many friends and colleagues, and in his daughter Carson. Womack is survived by his parents, Shirley and Willie, his sisters Nita Womack-Henderson and Adrena Womack-Cummings, brothers-in-law Robert Henderson and Simon Cummings, and his daughter. He also leaves behind countless cousins, aunts and uncles.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Peekskill and receive free news updates.
