The Peninsula Sports Club named football player Mason Tatum Apprentice School Athlete of the Year during its 73rd Annual Headliner’s Night Monday.

A native of Ashburn, Virginia, Tatum has been the leader of the Builder offense and one of the faces of the athletic department since starting his apprenticeship in 2019.

The rising senior displays a team-first attitude on the gridiron and always gives his teammates the spotlight instead of himself. He also displays full dedication to his academics and craft training as a heavy metal fabricator, showing all Apprentice athletes what it means to pursue “The Builder Way.”

As the quarterback for the football team, Tatum is one of the team captains and set numerous records in 2022. He became the only Builder in the over 100-year history of football at The Apprentice School to throw for over 2,000 yards in a single season, tossing 18 touchdowns to just six interceptions. His completion percentage was over 56% as he led the Builders to a 9-1 record, the best winning percentage in school history. The season included a Neptune Bowl championship over Bridgewater and a thrilling 38-35 win over cross-town rival Christopher Newport in the first-ever meeting between the two institutions.

Apprentice School head football coach Vincent Brown said he is “extremely proud” of Mason.

“He’s a great young man, and an excellent team captain. He handles his business in school and on the waterfront while continuing to do amazing things on the football field. All of these successes stem from his work ethic and preparation,” Brown said. “It’s an absolute joy to watch him play and control the offense. Mason has really set the bar for The Apprentice School student-athlete, and he exemplifies the high-character young men that we like to recruit. There is no question that he will go on to do great things within this company or whatever path he chooses. I’m honored to be his coach and to share these great accomplishments with him.”