HJ154: Commending Robert L. Dandridge, Jr.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 154
Commending Robert L. Dandridge, Jr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 31, 2022
Agreed to by the Senate, February 3, 2022

 

WHEREAS, Robert L. Dandridge, Jr., the Norfolk State University legend who played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Bullets, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, on September 11, 2021; and

WHEREAS, born and raised in Richmond, Robert “Bob” L. Dandridge, Jr., learned the game of basketball on the courts of the former West End School and was a member of the Maggie L. Walker High School Class of 1965; and

WHEREAS, Bob Dandridge enjoyed one of the most storied basketball careers in Norfolk State University history, leading his team to a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship title in 1968; his 32.3 points per game scoring average during the 1968–1969 season remains a school record; and

WHEREAS, selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft, Bob Dandridge immediately made an impact on the team on both sides of the court, earning all-rookie first team honors; and

WHEREAS, Bob Dandridge was an integral part of the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship run in the 1970–1971 season, averaging 18.4 points per game as the team notched a 66–16 record and went on to sweep the Baltimore Bullets in the NBA Finals; and

WHEREAS, Bob Dandridge joined the Washington Bullets in the 1977–1978 season and helped the team overcome years of playoff disappointment to win its first and only championship title in franchise history that same year; and

WHEREAS, beyond his two championship titles, Bob Dandridge’s accomplishments after 13 years in the NBA included four All-Star Game appearances, eight playoff appearances, and an impressive career average of 18.5 points per game; and

WHEREAS, following his career in the NBA, Bob Dandridge admirably dedicated himself to helping young people grow and thrive; he was an assistant coach at Hampton University for several years and, after earning a degree in counseling, formed the Dandridge Group, a nonprofit organization with a mission to pass on life skills to at-risk youth in Norfolk; and

WHEREAS, drawing from his experience as a player and a counselor, Bob Dandridge extended his legacy in the NBA in the 1990s by working to establish player development programs, such as the rookie transition program and the Top 100 High School Basketball Camp, which have since guided hundreds of young players through the early years of their careers; and

WHEREAS, by embodying the ideals of competitiveness, compassion, heroism, and humility throughout his life, Bob Dandridge has been an inspiration to countless citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Robert L. Dandridge, Jr., Virginia native and superstar of the National Basketball Association, on the occasion of his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball 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 Robert L. Dandridge, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his accomplishments and contributions to the Commonwealth.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 154

Offered January 24, 2022
Commending Robert L. Dandridge, Jr.
Patrons-- Bourne, Adams, D.M. and Carr; Senators: McClellan and Morrissey

WHEREAS, Robert L. Dandridge, Jr., the Norfolk State University legend who played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Bullets, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, on September 11, 2021; and

WHEREAS, born and raised in Richmond, Robert “Bob” Dandridge learned the game of basketball on the courts of the former West End School and was a member of the Maggie L. Walker High School Class of 1965; and

WHEREAS, Bob Dandridge enjoyed one of the most storied basketball careers in Norfolk State University history, leading his team to a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship title in 1968; his 32.3 points per game scoring average during the 1968–1969 season remains a school record; and

WHEREAS, selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft, Bob Dandridge immediately made an impact on the team on both sides of the court, earning all-rookie first team honors; and

WHEREAS, Bob Dandridge was an integral part of the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship run in the 1970–1971 season, averaging 18.4 points per game as the team notched a 66–16 record and went on to sweep the Baltimore Bullets in the NBA Finals; and

WHEREAS, Bob Dandridge joined the Washington Bullets in the 1977–1978 season and helped the team overcome years of playoff disappointment to win its first and only championship title in franchise history that same year; and

WHEREAS, beyond his two championship titles, Bob Dandridge’s accomplishments after 13 years in the NBA included four All-Star Game appearances, eight playoff appearances, and an impressive career average of 18.5 points per game; and

WHEREAS, following his career in the NBA, Bob Dandridge admirably dedicated himself to helping young people grow and thrive; he was an assistant coach at Hampton University for several years and, after earning a degree in counseling, formed the Dandridge Group, a nonprofit organization with a mission to pass on life skills to at-risk youth in Norfolk; and

WHEREAS, drawing from his experience as a player and a counselor, Bob Dandridge extended his legacy in the NBA in the 1990s by working to establish player development programs, such as the rookie transition program and the Top 100 High School Basketball Camp, which have since guided hundreds of young players through the early years of their careers; and

WHEREAS, by embodying the ideals of competitiveness, compassion, heroism, and humility throughout his life, Bob Dandridge has been an inspiration to countless citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Robert L. Dandridge, Jr., Virginia native and superstar of the National Basketball Association, on the occasion of his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball 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 Robert L. Dandridge, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his accomplishments and contributions to the Commonwealth.