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Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame

2010 Nominees

Below are the names of 60 sports greats with ties to Hampton Roads. We're asking you to help narrow the list to 10 finalists.

Meet the nominees below, then vote for your top 10 here.

Learn more about the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame.

Biographies by Mike Holzclaw of the Daily Press

Richard “Bullet” Alexander — Longtime baseball official and umpire who had a great impact on youth and amateur baseball in South Hampton Roads. In 1991 was honored with ODU’s Bud Metheny Award for lifetime service.

Beth Anders (ODU) — Winngest college field hockey coach in U.S. history. Won nine national titles at ODU. Career record of 492-92-7. Had an illustrious amateur playing career before coming to ODU.

Jack Ankerson — More than 30 years of service as a broadcaster and administrator with the ABA’s Virginia Squires, the Norfolk Tides and the Hampton Roads Sports Commission.

Leo Anthony (ODU) — Basketball All-American who scored more than 2,000 points for the Monarchs, averaging a school record 26.6 points per game. Later coaches basketball and golf at Granby, Norfolk Academy, Maury, Princess Anne and First Colonial, winning more than 400 games in each sport.

Jack Baker (Maury High School) – Longtime basketball coach at Maury. Has coached the Commodores for more than 30 years, with more than 600 victories. Played high school ball as a shooting guard at Maury.

The late Bob Bates (Norfolk) — Longtime baseball coach in Norfolk who sent many players to the professional ranks. Active supporter of sports in the area, helped found the Norfolk Sports Club.

Ed Beard (Oscar Smith High School) — Football standout and state heavyweight wrestling champ in high school. After two years at U. of Tennessee and a stint in the U.S. Army, Beard played eight years for the San Francisco 49ers as a linebacker and special teams star. Spent 10 years as an NFL assistant coach.

Yogi Hightower Boothe (Kempsville HS, ODU) – Longtime field hockey star, and first African-American to win Honda Award as nation’s top female athlete. Starter for 1988 Olympic field hockey team. Two-time All-American at ODU

Marty Brennaman (Portsmouth native) — Portsmouth native who was play-by-play broadcaster for the Norfolk Tides and the ABA’s Virginia Squires in the early- and mid-1970s. Has broadcast Cincinnati Reds games since 1974. In 2000 was given the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s top honor for broadcasters.

Aaron Brooks (Newport News, Ferguson High School) — Played quarterback at University of Virginia and with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. Wrote an inspirational book for pre-teens about growing up poor and rising above it. Now works as a land developer and has plans to develop the impoverished area where he grew up.

John Brophy (Hampton and Norfolk) — Legendary hockey coach with more than 800 victories. Coached the Hampton Gulls for four seasons and the Hampton Roads Admirals for 11 seasons. He won three league titles for the Admirals.

Johnny Brown (Maury High School, ODU, William and Mary) — Known as “Norfolk’s Jim Thorpe” for his excellence at football, baseball and track. Played football at ODU in the 1930s, and then after serving in World War II, returned home and starred at William and Mary. Continues to support local athletics today in his 90s.

Andre Cason (Va. Beach, Green Run HS) — World-class sprinter. In 1992 set a world record in the 60-meter dash (6.45 seconds). In 1993, won the U.S. title at 100 meters and ran on the 4x100 relay team that set a world record which stood for 15 years (and remains a U.S. record).

Julie Conn (Newport News) — Coached at his alma mater, Newport News High School, for more than 40 years. Won six state basketball titles and 21 state track and field titles.

Jack Cloud (Maury High School, William and Mary) — After high school and serving as an Air Force gunner in World War II, starred in football at William and Mary, scoring 45 touchdowns. NFL career with Packers and Redskins cut short by injuries. Longtime coach and athletic administrator at U.S. Naval Academy.

Blake Cullen (Hampton Roads Admirals) — Owned and operated the Hampton Roads Admirals hockey team, taking the team to two league titles, establishing attendance records and helping to reinvigorate minor-league hockey across the country.

Bobby Dandridge (Norfolk State) – Won NBA titles with Milwaukee in 1971 and Washington in 1978. Played 13 seasons, averaging 18.5 points regular season and 20 points in the playoffs. Starred at Norfolk State and was All-CIAA 1967-69.

Steve Delong (Oscar Smith High School) — During standout career at University of Tennessee won the Outland Trophy as nation’s top interior lineman. Played for the NFL’s Chicago Bears and San Diego Chargers from 1965-72

Kenny Easley (Oscar Smith High School) — All-pro defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks from 1981-87. NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1983-84. Three-time All-American at UCLA, first player to be named first-team All-Pac 10 for four straight years. Currently a businessman in Norfolk.

Nolan Fine — Longtime NBA official from Hampton Roads who rose through the ranks refereeing games in the ACC, CAA and Metro conferences, as well as NCAA Final Fours.

Hank Foiles (Granby High) — Had an 11-year career as a major-league baseball catcher. Also starred in track and football in high school and played in the first “Oyster Bowl.”

Nancy Fowlkes (Cox High School) — As a coach, led Cox High School to 13 state titles in field hockey, including seven in a row (a national record). Career coaching record of 390-55-20. Currently assistant football coach.

La’Keshia Frett (Hampton) – Women’s basketball star from Phoebus High School. Was named National Prep Player of the Year as a senior. Attended University of Georgia where she averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds in her four-year career. Played professionally for several years in the ABL and WNBA.

The late Chandler Harper (lifelong Portsmouth resident) – Won PGA Championship in 1950. Won seven times on PGA Tour, and played on 1955 Ryder Cup team. Won state amateur three times, state open nine times. PGA Hall of Fame.

George Hughes (Maury High School, William and Mary) — After serving as an Air Force gunner during World War II (and undefeated boxer for the Air Force team), Hughes was captain of William and Mary’s football team and went on to an NFL career as an offensive lineman with the Pittsburgh Steelers. All-Pro in 1952 and 1954.

Michael Husted (Hampton High School) — Placekicker who went on to play at U.Va. and spent nine years in the NFL, most with the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Leroy Keyes (Newport News) — Star running back who led Carver to the 1965 state title. At Purdue, was runner up to for 1968 Heisman Trophy. Voted by fans as the greatest football player in Purdue history. Pro career cut short by injury.

Terry Kirby (York County, Tabb High School) — Parade All-America football player at Tabb who went on to fine career at U.Va. and a 10-year career in the NFL.
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Wendy Larry (ODU) — Played basketball at Old Dominion and later returned to coach at her alma mater. Was assistant coach on 1985 NCAA championship team, and as a head coach has racked up more than 500 victories and an NCAA record 17 straight league championships.

Jimmye Laycock (William and Mary) – Has been football coach at his alma mater since 1980, leading the Tribe to 200 victories, 20 winning seasons and 10 postseason appearances. Was a quarterback at William and Mary under coaches Marv Levy and Lou Holtz.

Marv Levy (William and Mary) — Coached the Tribe football team from 1964-68, winning league’s coach of the year honor twice. Went on to long NFL coaching career, including four trips to the Super Bowl with the Buffalo Bills.

The late Thad Madden (Newport News)— Longtime coach at Huntington and Warwick high schools. Coached teams that won seven state football titles and 19 state track titles. Career record of 251-114-16 in football, and 112-13 in three years coaching basketball.

Rick Mahorn (Hampton University) – Averaged 6.9 points and 6.2 rebounds in long NBA career. Key player on Detroit Pistons’ 1989 NBA champs. Holds HU records for points and rebounds in a career, season and game. Finished at HU with 2,148 points and 1,465 rebounds.

The late Bud Metheny (played at William and Mary, coached at ODU) – Outfielder for New York Yankees, played in 1943 World Series. Coached at ODU from 1948-80, collecting 432 victories. Named national coach of the year in 1964. Also head basketball coach from 1948-65, with 16 winning seasons.

The late George McClelland (Virginian-Pilot) – Spent 33 years as reporter and highly influential sports editor at the Virginian-Pilot.Played an enormous role in shaping athletics in the Hampton Roads area from 1955-87.

Tony Mercurio (ESPN Radio) — Longtime broadcaster and radio personality with popular drive-time talk show for more than 20 years. Former Tides broadcaster and assistant general manager. Has been named area’s sportscaster of the year 14 times.

Marty Miller (Norfolk State) — Has spent 40 years at Norfolk State as athlete, baseball coach and administrator. Currently is school’s athletic director.

Billy O’Brien (Chesapeake, Great Bridge HS) — Longtime football coach at Great Bridge from 1955-74. Compiled a record of 143-45-10.

Marty Oliver (Chesapeake) – Spent almost a half-century coaching baseball at Chesapeake schools. As longtime coach at Great Bridge, worked with Michael Cuddyer and other future pro players. Also coached football and basketball at Great Bridge. Athletic director at Hickory for the school’s first 13 years.

Darren Perry (Chesapeake, Deep Creek HS)— Football standout who played quarterback at Deep Creek who went on to star as a defensive back at Penn State and with the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers and two other teams. Donated money to local charities for every interception. Currently an assistant coach with Steelers.

Dick Price (born Norfolk, graduated Hampton University, coached at Norfolk State) – Longtime athletic director at Norfolk State. Coached football and track teams. School’s football stadium named in his honor. Track teams won two NCAA Div. II titles. Football teams won 65% of their games.

J.R. Reid (Va. Beach, Kempsville HS) — Was considered the nation’s top prep basketball player during his senior year at Kempsville. Went on to play at North Carolina. Spent more than a decade in the NBA. Olympic bronze in 1988.

Ricky Rudd (born and raised in Chesapeake) – Holds NASCAR record for consecutive starts (788) and consecutive seasons with at least one victory (16). Total of 23 NASCAR victories.

Herb Scott (Kellam High School) — Played in three Super Bowls as an offensive lineman with the Dallas Cowboys. Two-time All-Pro. Twice named Div. II All-American at Virginia Union.

Gray Simons (born Norfolk, coached at ODU) – Four-time NCAA champion at Lock Haven, with a 91-2 record and 84 straight victories. Two-time Olympian. National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Coached for almost two decades at ODU.

Chris Slade (York County, Tabb High School) — After outstanding football careers at Tabb and U.Va., played for nine years in the NFL, mostly with the New England Patriots. Played in a Super Bowl and a Pro Bowl.

Joe Smith (Norfolk, Maury High School) — No. 1 pick in the 1995 NBA draft after playing at Maury HS and U. of Maryland. Averaged 11 points per game in career that has seen him play for eight NBA teams.

Mike Smith (Hampton High School) —Winningest prep football coach in state history, with 400 career victories and 11 state titles.

Norm Snead (Newport News, Warwick High) – Second overall pick in 1861 draft, went on to 16-year career as NFL quarterback. Starred at Wake Forest as quarterback and defensive back. Later coached at The Apprentice School in Newport News.

Hope Spivey (Suffolk) – Champion gymnast. Won bronze at U.S. championships in 1985 and was on U.S. teams that won the Pan-Am Games in ’87 and finished fourth at the Olympics in ’88. At Georgia, first freshman ever to win the NCAA All-Around title.

Marianne Stanley (Old Dominion) – Coaching legend who won three NCAA women’s basketball titles at Old Dominion and helped put the sport on the map in its formative years.

Dwight Stephenson (Hampton) — Considered by some to be the greatest center in football history. Played in two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins and won the Walter Payton “Man of the Year” award. Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Lawrence Taylor (Williamsburg) — Lafayette High School graduate redefined the linebacker position in the NFL. Defensive Player of the Year three times, league MVP once. Pro football Hall of Fame.

Mike Tomlin (Denbigh High School, William and Mary) — After catching 20 TD passes in his career at William and Mary, spent several years as assistant coach with various colleges and NFL teams before becoming head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers and leading them to the Super Bowl in his second season.

Al Toon (Newport News, Menchville High) — Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver for New York Jets. Had 517 catches for 6,605 yards and 31 TDs before his career was cut short by concussions at age 29. As a high school track star, cleared 50 feet in the triple jump and 23 feet in the long jump.

Dave Twardzik (ODU, Virginia Squires) – Two-time All-American guard at ODU. Played for the ABA’s Virginia Squres and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. Key player on Portland’s 1977 NBA championship team. Assistant coach, assistant GM in the NBA.

The late Jake Versprille (Norfolk) — Longtime fixture in local semipro football, and patriarch of family that produced many outstanding athletes and coaches in the Hampton Roads area.

Paul Webb (ODU) – Spent 10 years as men’s basketball coach at ODU, during which the Monarchs went 196-99 and developed a reputation as “giant killers.” In collegiate coaching career, won more than 500 games. Played his college ball at William and Mary.

Mark West (ODU) — Three-time All-American at ODU, and led nation in blocked shots twice. Played 17 seasons in the NBA and is second all-time in field goal percentage (58%). Currently assistant GM of Phoenix Suns.

Sweetpea Whitaker (born and raised in Norfolk) — Considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. Won Olympic gold in 1984 and won professional titles in four weight classes. Currently training fighters in Norfolk.