His legacy is written in the history books of Drifter lore. Pat Ey played with a special group of athletes that made the transition from independent schools to the Virginia High School League (VHSL). Ey’s lineman teammates featured stars including the likes of Steven Taylor, Deshawn Viers, Zach Peltola and Nate Galloway. They helped to open the running lanes for legendssuch as Drifter all-time rushing leader Brandon Foster, Brent Steffey, Tim Wilson and Terry Bushrod. His formidable presence as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman left an indelible dent in the game plans of rival teams from across the area.
Most recently the soft-spoken scholar has returned to his beloved community of Colonial Beach to pursue a degree online in education. Prior to returning to the area, he attended and played football for Christopher Newport University. The small town atmosphere associated with Colonial Beach seems to agree with Ey.

“I love it here — the small-town life is definitely for me,” Ey said. “I hope I can figure out a way to make it better for everyone to live here and show them that life can be fun.”
During the summer, many aspiring athletes valued his math skills and his ability to communicate his knowledge to them. After receiving his degree in math, He hopes to work within the Colonial Beach school system one day as a teacher. Currently Ey spends his late afternoon and evening hours with the Drifter varsity football team as an offensive line coach.
Drifter athletic director, teacher and varsity head football coach Jeremy Jack is a firm believer that Ey would be the perfect fit as an educator in the Colonial Beach school system.
“We would be absolutely besides ourselves if we didn’t welcome him back with open arms,” Jack said. “As a student, Pat was top notch — he is the epitome of what you want to hire as an educator, mentor and as a coach.
Ey, along with Drifter assistant coaches Scott Foster and Earl Payton, operated the weight room during the summer for athletes who sought off-season conditioning. Ey’s quest to out-perform rivals during his high school years on the gridiron started in the Drifter weight-room.
“He was a fixation in the weight-room,” Jack said. “It helped him build confidence, and he really began to develop his full potential as an athlete.”
For past two years, Ey has also volunteered his coaching services to the Colonial Beach Youth Athletic Association (CBYAA).  Youths on all levels of recreation football had a rare opportunity to learn from a man who has won two Capitol Area Football Championships, one VHSL District Championship, one VSHL Regional Championship and nearly won defeated Buffalo Gap in the State Division I Semi-Finals in 2007.
While at Colonial Beach High School, Ey received numerous academic awards and scholarships. A solid student in the classroom, Ey finished with high school career with a 4.0 GPA.
For the entire 2009 season, Drifter, CBYAA and Northern Neck Rivermen fans relied upon Ey for his announcing talents as the voice of Monroe Park.
“I enjoyed doing this and it gave me something to do — kept me out of trouble,” he said with a smile while reflecting on his days as the stadium’s announcer.

Leonard M. Banks
Sports Editor