HJ284: Commending Carroll W. Dale.

WHEREAS, Carroll W. Dale of Wise, celebrated Virginia Tech All-American and National Football League (NFL) great, is recognized for his outstanding service to Southwest Virginia and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise; and

WHEREAS, a native of Wise, Carroll Dale began his football career at J. J. Kelly High School in Wise on a field that would later be renamed in his honor; and

WHEREAS, in 1956 Carroll Dale enrolled at Virginia Tech, where he continued his impressive accomplishments on the gridiron for four seasons as an offensive and defensive end; and

WHEREAS, Carroll Dale started in 39 consecutive games, and in 1959 became captain of the Virginia Tech team and the first player from the school to be named an All-American by the Football Writers of America and the Newspaper Enterprise Association; and

WHEREAS, Carroll Dale led the Hokies in pass receiving each of his four seasons and finished his Virginia Tech career with 67 pass receptions for 1,195 yards and 15 touchdowns; and

WHEREAS, Carroll Dale completed a bachelor’s degree at Virginia Tech and began a professional football career that lasted from 1960 to 1974, first with the Los Angeles Rams and then with the Green Bay Packers; and

WHEREAS, during his time with the Packers, Carroll Dale was a starter on three consecutive championship teams for legendary coach Vince Lombardi—the 1965 NFL Championship and Super Bowl I in 1966 and Super Bowl II in 1967; and

WHEREAS, Carroll Dale was named to the Pro Bowl and made the game winning catch in 1969; he made the Pro Bowl team again in 1971; and

WHEREAS, averaging 19.7 yards per catch over his eight-year career in Green Bay, Carroll Dale still holds the Packers’ all-time club record for yards per reception and in 1979 he was named to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Carroll Dale was one of the first players to be inducted into Virginia Tech’s Hall of Fame in 1982 and his No. 84 jersey now flies above Lane Stadium in Blacksburg; and

WHEREAS, in 1997 Carroll Dale was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana, and he has been inducted into the Virginia Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation Collegiate Hall of Fame, and the Virginia High School Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the NFL, Carroll Dale returned to Southwest Virginia to work as a coal operator for 17 years; and

WHEREAS, in 1991 Carroll Dale became the first athletic director at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, where he helped establish the football program and where he continues as the assistant vice chancellor for athletic development to strengthen the college’s athletic programs; and

WHEREAS, Carroll Dale is an exceptional leader, a devoted father and husband with an abiding religious faith, and as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he is an exemplary role model and mentor for young people; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Carroll W. Dale for his valuable service to Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Carroll W. Dale as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for his many accomplishments.