VIAHA) Hall of Fame for IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 15, 2016
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VIA Heritage Association (VIAHA) Hall of Fame FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 15, 2016 Contacts: Jimmy Hollins, Chairman, VIAHA Bernard R. Anderson, HOF Committee Member 434-825-6117/[email protected] 703-851-2989/[email protected] 2016 Inaugural VIAHA Hall of Fame Class Chosen Inaugural class features 28 inductees CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Twenty-seven individuals and who have made outstanding contributions to high school athletics and other activities have been selected to the 2016 inaugural class of the Virginia Interscholastic Association Heritage Association Hall of Fame (VIAHA). The class features 11 athletes, 10 coaches, six contributors and one selection of special recognition. The inaugural Hall of Fame induction dinner will be held on Monday, June 20, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Charlottesville. The Hall is dedicated to preserving the rich heritage and legacy of African-American students and adults who participated in the Virginia Interscholastic Association from 1954-70 and its predecessor organization the Virginia Interscholastic Athletic League (VIAL). Some notable inaugural inductees include pro football hall of famer Roosevelt Brown; Walter Bowser; basketball great Earl Lloyd; coaches Thad Madden, Stretch Gardner, Bill Lawson, Jr., and George Lancaster; and a special recognition to the Armstrong-Walker Football Classic. Prior to school desegregation, one of the most influential organizations in the state of Virginia was the Virginia Interscholastic Association (VIA), which served young African-American students who attended segregated high schools in the state. The impact that this association had on shaping the lives of these students went far beyond governing athletic events, it brought together students, parents, and mentors to develop within students a strong foundation of character and ethical responsibilities that advanced these men and women into successful citizens and leaders. “The VIA was a powerful equalizer in a time of state sanctioned inequality, its impact upon thousands and thousands of young men and women present them with a lifetime of hard earned accomplishments,” said Jimmy Hollins of the Burley Varsity Club in Charlottesville and the VIA Heritage Association. “While the memories of the VIA are fading, its impact needs to be preserved and the memories of the VIA revitalized for future generations of students and their families. “I am honored to be involved with the VIA Heritage Association, a group of community spirited individuals who believe the values instilled by the VIA can be preserved through a Hall of Fame.” Athletes and coaches considered for nomination are those who excelled on VIA athletic teams. Contributors are professionals who may have excelled in VIA non-athletic activities or in such areas as school administration, media, officiating, medical services and other areas. A fourth group is best described as the Legacy category. This includes such potential nominees as VIA athletic teams that gained extraordinary distinction or coaches, athletes, contributors and/or teams from VIAL or post-VIA era history. The VIAL/VIA`s original home was Virginia State College (now Virginia State University) from 1954- 1970. After merging with the Virginia High School League, all of the VIA records are now stored at Virginia State University. The nomination deadline is June 30 for each class. About the VIA Heritage Association Hall of Fame The VIA Heritage Association Hall of Fame (VIAHA) is organized as a means of recognizing and preserving the rich heritage and legacy of African-American (Black) high school sports and activities under the direction of the VIA from 1954-70 and promoting greater appreciation and understanding of the contributions of Blacks to the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia. VIA Heritage Association (VIAHA) Hall of Fame 2016 Inaugural Class Athletes Donald L. Ross, Jr. Armstrong High, Richmond (1966) Basketball An outstanding athlete in two sports, Don Ross performed at an outstanding level for all 4 years of this high school career. As both a basketball and a football player, he was selected as an All VIA Central District performer for 3 years and All State for 2 years. He was a leader on Armstrong’s 1964 VIA State Basketball Championship team. This team was also the Runner-up in the National Negro High School Championship Tournament in Nashville. Tennessee. His outstanding talent resulted in his being the First African-American selected to the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s All Metro Basketball Team. He was also selected to the Basketball Illustrated High School All American Team in 1966. After high school, Don attended Cleveland State University where he played for legendary coach John McClendon and was the leading scorer with 18 points per game. He later transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University where he averaged 30 points per game in 1967-68 and still holds the school record for scoring 55 points in a single game. Earl Lloyd Parker-Gray High, Alexandria (1946) Basketball Earl Lloyd was a significant figure of the last half of the twentieth century. He was a ground breaker in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as the first African-American to play a game and the second to be appointed head coach of a team. Lloyd was a three time all state basketball player at Parker-Gray High School in Alexandria and received a scholarship to play at West Virginia State College. He was an all CIAA Conference basketball player in 1948, 1949 and 1950 and a Pittsburg Courier All America selection in 1949 and 1950. He was elected to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. Roosevelt Brown Jefferson High, Charlottesville (1947) Football Roosevelt Brown left Jefferson High to attend Morgan State University where he was a Pittsburg Courier All American offensive lineman in 1952. Selected in the 27th round of the 1953 NFL draft, he was considered one of the greatest “sleeper” picks in history. During his 13 seasons with the NFL’s New York Giants, he was a 9 time Pro Bowl selection. He was named to the NFL’s All Decade team for the 1950s and the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All Time team. He was a key player on Giants NFL Championship team in 1956. Having retired after the 1965 season, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975. “Rosey” joined the Giants coaching staff in 1966 and remained with the team until his death in 2004. Joseph Buggs Huntington High, Newport News (1956) Multisport Joe Buggs was an accomplished athlete in football, basketball, baseball and track and field. He was the starting point guard for back to back VIA State Championship Basketball Teams in 1955 and 1956. In the same two years he was also a starting centerfielder and pitcher for Huntington’s State Champion Baseball Teams. His versatility was confirmed by participation on back to back VIA State Championship Track and Field teams in 1955 and 1956. He graduated from Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) where he was an All CIAA running back in 1957-1959 and was selected as a Pittsburg Courier All American in 1958 and 1959. He was elected to the ECSU Hall of Fame in 1984, the Newport News Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Huntington High School Legacy Hall in 2008. Benita Fitzgerald Moseley Gar-Field High, Dale City (1979) Track and Field (Legacy Selection) Benita Fitzgerald Moseley was an outstanding scholar athlete at Gar-Field High during the years 1976 to 1979. She was a member of the VHSL State Championship Track and Field Team I 1976, State Champion in 100 meter hurdles in 1978 and 1979, State Champion in 200 meters in 1979 and Junior National Champion in 100 meter hurdles in 1978 and 1979. While at Gar-Field, she was an honor roll student and named a National Merit Achievement Commended Scholar. After enrolling at the University of Tennessee, Benita won 4 NCAA Championships in the hurdles, was a 14 time NCAA all-American and won 3 National Championships in the hurdles. Her highest achievement may have been the winning of a Gold Medal in the 1984 Sumer Olympics. She was subsequently named “Hurdler of the Decade” by Track and Field News. Benita was elected to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame on 2000. In July 2013, Benita was named as the Chief of Organizational Excellence for the U. S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jesse H. Jefferson, Jr. Carver High, Chesterfield County (1968) Baseball Jesse Jefferson is believed to be one of only three VIA athletes to play Major League Baseball. Competing in the VIA's Group I Central District from 1965 to 1968, his explosive fast ball was obvious from his first game. He pitched at least one no-hitter each season. He consistently fanned 14 or 15 batters in regulation 7 inning games. In one game, he fanned 18 batters in 7 innings. The superiority of his baseball skill was confirmed by his early selection in the June 1968 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. As the 70th overall selection by the Baltimore Orioles, he was among the most promising high school and college players in the country. He played 13 seasons in professional baseball. His 9 year Major League career started on June 23, 1973 when he pitched a 2-1 ten inning complete game victory. He performed as a starter and relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburg Pirates and California Angels. He is best remembered as one of the original Toronto Blue Jays. Selected by the Toronto in the 1976 Major League expansion draft, he pitched more than 200 innings in 1977 and 1978. In his career he pitched 25 complete games and 4 shutouts.