• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

9 200 4- 4 9 1 r a e Y portsline th O 65 S o f t h e N o r f o l k S p o r t s C l u b ur Vol. #24, No. 4 April 2009 April 6th – Luncheon Meeting Ronald Bolton, NFL Defensive Back Schedule of Ron Bolton, a native of Petersburg played foot- Events ball at Norfolk State University and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round in 1972. Bolton led the Patriots in interceptions each of the All meetings are held at the Holiday Inn-Executive Center three seasons he played for them. The Cleveland 5655 Greenwich Road Browns traded for Bolton in 1976 to compliment Virginia Beach, Virginia their other talented corner, Clarence Scott. Lunch served from Bolton led the Browns in interceptions in 1980 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and was a key ingredient of the “ Cardiac Kids” as they were called Meeting begins at 12:15 p.m. that season. He had two interceptions in the 14-12 divisional playoff Meeting adjourns at 1:15 p.m. loss to the Oakland Raiders that year - one which he returned 42 yards to provide the Browns with their only touchdown of the day. April 6th – Luncheon Meeting In all, Bolton played with the Browns for seven seasons, retiring Ronald Bolton Former Cleveland Brown following the 1982 campaign. He had 35 interceptions during his 11- year NFL career. He has worked as an assistant football coach at Lib- April 20th – Luncheon Meeting erty University, Norfolk State University, Howard University and is now Willie Pile, former Virginia Tech & Dallas Cowboys safety. Currently, head football coach at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk. with Toronto Argonauts in the CFL May 4th – Luncheon Meeting Art Shamsky, member of the 1969 April 20th – Luncheon Meeting World Champion Miracle Mets Willie Pile – Virginia Tech, NFL & CFL May 18th – Luncheon Meeting Joe Durham, Orioles outfielder in In high school, Willie Pile was named the North- the 1950’s. Newport News native. east Offensive Player of the Year while playing quarterback and wide receiver at West Potomac For further information, contact the Sports High School in Alexandria, Virginia. At Virginia Club office at 497-9583 or Marty Miller, Tech, he moved to the defense and played 39 First Vice President at 823-9539. games at free safety, registered 267 career tack- les. In his senior year, he was a second-team All- American choice by the Sporting News. HAPPY BIRTHDAY He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs and saw action in 3 NFL Johnny Brown will be 90 seasons with the Chiefs and the Cowboys as a defensive back. He on April 5, 2009 played a full season in the European Football League before signing with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. Special Thank You’s to In February, he signed a contract to return to the Argonauts for a Herb Wittersheim third season where he plays linebacker and was nominated as the for his donation in Outstanding Defensive Player last season. memory of George Hughes Pile loves speaking to youth and motivating people through public and speaking. He published a book entitled The Winning Game Plan – An Randy Lassiter for his generous A-B-C Guide to Success. Pile runs his own football camp in Virginia for donations of distilled spirits for the youth ages seven and up. He lives in Texas with his wife and son. Norfolk Sports Club Reverse Raffle. Dick Price was truly a giant among men. I had been close to In Memoriam him and his family for many years, but when he became ill, we William Leon “Dick” Price became closer. Until the last 2 weeks of his life, we talked at least 1933-2009 2 or 3 times a week, and when I didn't call him, he would have his nurse call me. What a blessing to have someone in his condi- Dick Price is one of the individuals who helped with the growth tion checking on me. Dick was MY friend and I cherished our and development of my professional career. From the first day that special relationship. He knew that I would do anything for him I stepped on the campus of Norfolk State University, he was sig- and it was quite a pleasure for me to be close to him during his nificant in my success as a student-athlete in baseball. By observ- last days. I still miss him and sometimes find myself driving in ing him each day, I was impressed with his desire to succeed and the direction where he lived the past few years. He was a legend the will to win. He motivated others to be able to overcome any and a good man and I am proud to have been able to call him my obstacle that confronted them as students, athletes or employees. friend. He will always have a special place in my heart. Over the years, the friendship grew and we became close Yvonne DuBose friends. His advice and recommendations proved to be invalu- able to me. Based upon the results of our conservations, they Dick Price was a gentleman and a family man. Those who heard were instrumental in helping to build my career as a baseball him speak at the 2008 Jamboree knew how proud he was of his coach and athletics administrator. He was a coach, mentor and daughter, Lisa and his grandchildren. most of all, a friend. He was a man of integrity and old fashion values. At the Virgin- Marty Miller ian-Pilot football awards one Monday, Dick commented to the rest Director of Athletics, NSU of the table that his players would not have appeared dressed like some of them! From the experiences he spoke about in his career, Dick and I were born the same year, both raised in Norfolk some funny, you just knew how much he enjoyed coaching. and attended high school the same years. In those years, there What a tribute to Dick to have Norfolk State’s stadium named was segregation in the schools and also invisible lines dividing for him. white and black neighborhoods so we never met in our early days. I feel very fortunate to have been his friend. Dick often spoke to me about his Lamberts Point friends Jean Ford who crossed the lines and played pick–up games with their white friends on the other side of Hampton Blvd at Blue Bird Park. I have known Dick Price, affectionately referred to as Coach Dick was a pioneer in race relations. Price, for more than 40 years – as a student, as a co-worker and Dick’s father had a very dangerous job as a car rider at the as an employee. He was the kind of person who would talk to Norfolk Western Coal Piers. He wanted Dick to have a better life and listen to any student, staff or faculty member that he came with a good education. Dick certainly succeeded in that wish. into contact with. He also had a real sensitive side to him. Just I met Dick thru the Norfolk Sports Club which was 98% white as quickly as he would “lay you out,” he would “cry at the drop of at the time he joined. We hit it off the first time we met and a hat.” That was Coach Price. became good friends immediately. Dick went through the chairs When Coach Price became my supervisor, I was afforded the and became the club’s first African-American President. opportunity to further my education. He supported my educa- Dick was a practicing Christian and there was no doubt about tional and professional growth and development. Coach Price his salvation. was always there for me even during the passing of my sister and Dick has left us, but from what I observed of his grandson, he my father. He made sure that my family had what was needed left much of his character in this young man who will surely be a during these trying times. He, too, was like a father to me, al- leader in his community as was his grandfather. ways giving advice whether I “wanted it or not.” But from his We will surely miss this great man. wisdom came knowledge and understanding and I respected him Ken Riedel for that. Coach Price was a good teacher, coach and administrator. I Several years ago while in the Orlando Florida Airport wait- would see him teach class, perform administrative tasks and then ing for a departure, I engaged a conversation with a distinguished go out and coach – all within the same day – never missing a middle age man. He asked me where I was from and I replied beat. But most of all, he loved sharing thoughts with me of his from Norfolk, Virginia. Immediately, he asked if I knew Coach daughter, wife, coaches and former athletes. He would never Dick Price from Norfolk State. I told him I knew him well and take credit for what he did, but would just smile when he talked that we were both members of the Norfolk Sports Club. Then he about how well his coaches and former athletes were doing. His told me that Coach Price had awarded him a Football Scholar- athletes would always come back for homecoming looking for ship and he played there for 4 years along with running track. him and he would be persistent with them about giving back to Coach Price had a tremendous impact on his life.

Load more

  4

Copy Link