Captain James Patrick Work

Hall of Fame 2004

  

Class of 1991

 

Captain James Patrick 'Pat' Work was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and moved with his family to Watsonville one month later.  In his youth he attended Notre Dame elementary school while playing little league baseball, youth soccer and YMCA basketball.  He was also involved with the boy scouts.

                In his four years at Watsonville High School Pat contributed significantly to the athletic programs and the student council.  He earned two varsity letters in football and was named the 1990 SCCAL Defensive Player of the Year while leading the Wildcatz to an undefeated league championship.  Also, he earned three varsity letters in baseball and was a first team All-SCCAL third baseman while playing an integral part in their undefeated league championship.  In addition, Pat served on the ASB student council and was the Senior Class President.

                After graduating from Watsonville High School in 1991, Pat attended the United States Military Academy at West Point where he excelled academically, militarily and athletically. Pat earned the 'Dean'\'s List" recognition four times and received one of only 25 National College Football Association/Hitachi "Promise of Tomorrow" post-graduate scholarships in 1995.  He also received the Commandant's Award for Cadet Company Commander of the Year in that same year.  During his Army football career, Pat Work was a three-year starter at inside linebacker, and remains the only Cadet to register 20 or more tackles in a game three times.  As a senior he garnered the following accolades: 1994 Army football co-captain, 1994 Army football Most Valuable Player (MVP), 1994 U.S. Military Sports Association Service Academies MVP, and 1994 All-East Coast Athletic Conference.  Army football will never forget his shoe-string tackle near Army's goal line during the last minute of Army's classic win over Navy in 1993.

                Captain Work has served the nation dutifully since his graduation from West Point in June 1995. He currently commands Company C, 2nd Battalion, and 75th Ranger Regiment, at Fort Lewis Washington.  Since September 11,2001, Pat and his brother, Captain Matt Work (WHS 1994), have deployed with the Ranger's to conduct combat operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism a total of seven times between the two of them.  He received the Joint Service Commendation Medal and Army Commendation Medal for actions during ENDURING FREEDOM and the Bronze Star medal for actions during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Captain Work's awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Path Finder Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

                Pat is married to the former Mara Leigh Shwedo of Marietta, Georgia, and has a one-year old son, James Patrick "JP", Jr.  His parents are Jim and Sharon Work and in addition to his brother Matt, he has two sisters, Sarah and Megan.

 

Back to the Hall of Fame Home Page

 

 

word to html converter html help workshop This Web Page Created with PageBreeze Free Website Builder  chm editor perl editor ide