HR111: Commending the 2013 inductees into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
WHEREAS, in 1996 the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame was designated the official Sports Hall of Fame of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, since its inception, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Portsmouth, has honored many of Virginia’s exceptional athletes, coaches, and media; and
WHEREAS, dedicated to honoring, educating, and entertaining its visitors, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum inducts individuals who achieve greatness in their field and serves as a nonprofit educational resource center for math, science, health, and character development; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame is honored to present the Class of 2013 inductees as follows:
Franklin Allen
A native of Charlottesville, Virginia, Franklin Allen is one of the most prolific college basketball players in Virginia intercollegiate basketball history. He began his college career in 1967, leading the Roanoke College Maroons to their first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament berth as a freshman. In his sophomore year, he led the team in scoring and was named the Virginia College Division Player of the Year. He broke every scoring and rebounding mark as a junior and was once again named the Virginia College Division Player of the Year. He became the all-time leading career scorer and rebounder at all NCAA levels in Virginia and the first individual to ever be named to the all-state team all four years.
Cornell Brown
Cornell Brown, a native of Lynchburg, Virginia, was one of the first high-profile recruits of Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer era. He started four seasons as a Hokies defensive end and helped them to four straight bowl games and a pair of BIG EAST Conference championships. In 1995 he led the BIG EAST in sacks while leading the Hokies to their first BIG EAST championship and a Sugar Bowl win. Football News named Brown the National Defensive Player of the Year. His 36 career sacks at Virginia Tech ranks second all-time, behind only Bruce Smith. In the 1997 NFL draft, he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens, where he played linebacker for the duration of his seven-year NFL career (1997-2004).
Lawrence Burton
Lawrence Burton, a native of Melfa, Virginia, is a world-class sprinter who finished fourth in the 200 meters at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, West Germany. At Purdue University, he was the football team captain and MVP in 1974. His awards and recognitions include 1974 Outstanding College Athlete of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten, and the Big Ten Medal of Honor. He also starred on Purdue’s track team, earning four Big Ten titles and an NCAA title and tied a world record of 5.9 seconds for the 60-yard dash. In 1975 he was a first-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints, and in 1978 he signed with the San Diego Chargers, helping them make the playoffs before retiring from football at the age of 28. His work with troubled youth at Boys Town resulted in his being named the recipient of Sports Illustrated’s 1992 Arthur Ashe Sportsman of the Year Award.
Dean Ehlers
Dean Ehlers was James Madison University’s (JMU) first director of athletics, a position he held for 22 years. When he arrived in 1971, JMU had limited facilities and programs. Now, it is nationally recognized. Notable events at JMU during his tenure include playing in the College World Series, moving to the Atlantic 10 conference in football, and achievements in a variety of sports from archery to soccer, swimming, and basketball. He was president during the founding of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), and the conference established the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award in recognition of his career contributions to intercollegiate athletics.
Robert Pratt, Jr.
Robert Pratt, Jr., a native of Richmond, Virginia, started his football career at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond before earning a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill in 1970. In 1974, he was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, where he starred as left guard, served as a co-captain, and helped the Colts win three straight American Football Conference East Division titles. He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, where he was named the Seattle Seahawks’ Lineman of the Year in 1983. In 1986, he retired after a 12-year NFL career, in which he played in 170 games, most impressive for an offensive lineman.
Bill Roth
Bill Roth is most famous for the refrain, “From the blue waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the hills of Tennessee, the Virginia Tech Hokies are on the air!” Considered the “Voice of the Hokies,” he began every Tech sports radio broadcast with the refrain. He has been the lead play-by-play announcer of Virginia Tech football and basketball for over 20 years, has served as the host of the weekly radio shows, and has also hosted Virginia Tech Sports Today. From Sugar Bowls to Orange Bowls to NCAA Tournaments, he has described some of the greatest moments in Virginia Tech athletics history.
Dick Tarrant
In 12 seasons as head basketball coach at the University of Richmond, Dick Tarrant amassed a record 240 wins. He retired in 1993 with the most wins in the university’s history. He guided his team to nine post-season tournaments, five NCAA tournaments, and four National Invitation Tournaments. Richmond had never been to post-season play before his arrival. He was selected as the CAA’s Coach of the Decade; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Franklin Allen, Cornell Brown, Lawrence Burton, Dean Ehlers, Robert Pratt, Jr., Bill Roth, and Dick Tarrant be commended as the 2013 inductees into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and its 2013 inductees as an expression of the House of Delegates’ congratulations and admiration for the inductees’ many contributions to the world of sports.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 111
WHEREAS, in 1996 the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame was designated the official Sports Hall of Fame of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Portsmouth, has honored many of Virginias exceptional athletes, coaches, and media since its inception; and
WHEREAS, dedicated to honoring, educating, and entertaining its visitors, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum inducts individuals who achieve greatness in their field and serves as a nonprofit educational resource center for math, science, health, and character development; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame is honored to present the Class of 2013 inductees as follows:
Franklin Allen
A native of Charlottesville, Virginia, Franklin Allen is one of the most prolific college basketball players inVirginia intercollegiate basketball history. He began his college career in 1967, leading the Roanoke College Maroons to their first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament berth as a freshman. In hissophomore year, he led the team in scoring and was named Virginia College Division Player of the Year. He broke every scoring and rebounding mark as a junior and wasonce again named Virginia College Division Player of the Year. He became the all-time leading career scorer andrebounder at all NCAA levels in Virginia and the first individual to ever be named to the all-state team all four years.
Cornell Brown
Cornell Brown, a native of Lynchburg, Virginia, was one of the first high-profile recruits of Virginia Techs Frank Beamer era. He started fourseasons as a Hokies defensive end and helped them to four straight bowl games and a pairof BIG EAST Conference championships. In 1995, he led the BIG EAST in sacks while leading the Hokies to their first BIG EAST championship and a Sugar Bowl win. Football News named Brown National Defensive Player of the Year. His 36 career sacks at Virginia Tech ranks second all-time, behind only Bruce Smith. In the 1997 NFL draft, he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens, where he played linebacker for the duration of his seven-year NFL career (1997 - 2004).
Lawrence Burton
Lawrence Burton, a native of Melfa, Virginia, is a world-class sprinter who finished fourth in the 200 meters at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich,West Germany. At Purdue University, he was the football team captain and MVP in 1974. His awards and recognitions include 1974 Outstanding College Athlete of the Year,First Team All-Big Ten, and the Big Ten Medal of Honor. He also starred on Purdues track team,earning four Big Ten titles and an NCAA title and tied a world record of 5.9seconds for the 60-yard dash. In 1975, he was a first-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints, and in 1978, he signed with the San Diego Chargers, helping them make the playoffs before retiring from football at the age of 28. His work with troubled youth at Boys Town resulted in his being named the recipient of Sports Illustrateds 1992 Arthur Ashe Sportsman of the Year award.
Dean Ehlers
Dean Ehlers was James Madison Universitys (JMU) first director of athletics, a position heheld for 22 years. When he arrived in 1971, JMU had limited facilities and programs. Now, it is nationally recognized. Notable events at JMU during his tenure include playing in the College World Series, moving to the Atlantic 10 conference infootball, and achievements in a variety of sports from archery to soccer, swimming, and basketball. He was president during the founding of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), and theconference established the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award in recognition of his career contributions tointercollegiate athletics.
Robert Pratt, Jr.
Robert Pratt, Jr., a native of Richmond, Virginia, started his football career at St. Christophers School in Richmond before earning a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina(UNC) at Chapel Hill in 1970. In 1974, he was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, where he starred as left guard, served as a co-captain, and helped the Colts win three straight American Football Conference East Division titles. He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, where he was named the Seattle Seahawks Lineman of the Year in 1983. In 1986, he retired after a 12-year NFL career, in which he played in 170 games, most impressive for an offensive lineman.
Bill Roth
Bill Roth is most famous for the refrain, From the bluewaters of the Chesapeake Bay to the hills of Tennessee, the Virginia Tech Hokies are on the air! Considered the Voice of the Hokies, he began every Tech sports radio broadcast with the refrain.He has been the lead play-by-play announcer of Virginia Tech football and basketball for over 20 years, has served asthe host of the weekly radio shows, and has also hosted Virginia Tech Sports Today. From Sugar Bowls to Orange Bowls to NCAA Tournaments, he has described some of the greatest moments in Virginia Tech athletics history.
Dick Tarrant
In 12 seasons as head basketball coach at University of Richmond, Dick Tarrant amassed a record 240 wins. He retired in 1993 with the most wins in the universitys history. He guided his team to nine post-season tournaments, five NCAA tournaments, and four National Invitation Tournaments. Richmond had never been to post-season play before his arrival. He was selected as the CAAs Coach of the Decade; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Franklin Allen, Cornell Brown, Lawrence Burton, Dean Ehlers, Robert Pratt, Jr., Bill Roth, and Dick Tarrant be commended as the 2013 inductees into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and its 2013 inductees as an expression of the Senate of Virginias congratulations and admiration for the inductees many contributions to the world of sports.