Charles Nuttycombe, Newport News Coaching Legend, Passes at 90

Charles Nuttycombe, a United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Famer, and arguably one of the greatest multi-sport coaches in Virginia history passed away on December 4 in his hometown of Newport News, VA. He was 90 years old.

It was in Newport News that Nuttycombe made his mark as a coach, but his athletic story began in Richmond, where he was a star athlete at Thomas Jefferson High. At Jefferson, Nuttycombe was the Outstanding Athlete of his 1950 senior class, excelling in football and track, and winning a state championship in the broad jump.

His original plan was to focus on football, and Nuttycombe accepted a gridiron offer to play for the Virginia Military Institute. Eventually, he would transfer to Randolph-Macon College where he lettered in football, track, and basketball. He was the 1955 football team captain and three-time track team captain. Throughout his Yellow Jacket college career, he earned 13 state champion titles in various events.

After graduating from the Ashland school, Nuttycombe relocated to Newport News and began his teaching and coaching career. His first stop was the legendary Newport News High, where the young coach studied under Julie Conn. In 14 years with the Typhoon, his track teams won a combined 14 state championships. In 1961, he embarked on his football coaching career, which at NNHS was highlighted by his undefeated team in 1962 (9-0-1). 

In 1970, Nuttycombe moved several miles north to midtown to begin his career at the fledgling Menchville High. Over the next 20 years, he would cement his name as an all-time coaching legend, building the football and track teams from the ground up with the Monarchs.

While his football teams posted a record of 150-108-18, and buoyed five athletes to the NFL, it was track and field that sealed his Hall of Fame career. Nuttycombe’s teams recorded a dual meet record of 125-3-2, and he personally coached state champions in every individual event except one. Between Newport News and Menchville High Schools, he took part in 23 indoor or outdoor state team championships.

According to his obituary, Nuttycombe’s list of accolades was long and included an honor as the 1990 Virginia HS Coaches Distinguished Service Award. On the national level, he was awarded the inaugural United States National High School Track Coach of the Year Award in 1975. In 2005, he became one of only four high school coaches to be inducted into the United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 2014 his son Ed (University of Wisconsin head coach) followed his father into the Hall of Fame and they remain the only father-son combination. He is also a member of the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame (1992), Menchville High School Hall of Fame (2005), Newport News Public School Track and Field Hall of Fame (1991). In 2014 he became a member of the Lower Virginia Peninsula Hall of Fame, as well as being inducted into the Randolph Macon College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. 

Nuttycombe’s presence in Newport News athletics did not disappear with his retirement. In the early-2000’s, he could be found at Todd Stadium working out with his middle schooler grandson Graham Wilson, who would go on to be the Monarch’s top distance runner (and tennis player) for all four of his high school years. Daughter Jennifer Nuttycombe has been the athletic director at Warwick High for over a decade.

Nuttycombe is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of 69 years, six children and 15 grandchildren.

There will be a Charles Nuttycombe Memorial Scholarship Fund established at Menchville High School. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made at: www.weymouthfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home in Newport News, VA.

 

Peninsula Road Racing - Sika Henry Breaks Three Hours for Marathon; Yorktown Battlefield 10-Mile

 Exactly three years removed from missing the three-hour marathon barrier by a mere six seconds, Newport News resident Sika Henry seemed content to focus her attention on another lofty goal – to become the first African-American female to reach the professional ranks of the triathlon.

This was on March 12, 2020. By the end of that day, life as she, and everyone else, would know it, had changed entirely.

But where others saw uncertainty, Henry saw an opportunity.

“I’ve had this goal (breaking three hours) since 2017 when I came super close and ran 3:00:06 (fourth among women at the One City Marathon). I wanted to try it again, but it never fit well with my triathlon training and schedule. My coach (Jonny Caron) mostly had me focus on the swim and bike, my (triathlon) weaknesses, in order to make me a competitive triathlete,” said Henry, whose triathlon events for 2020 began to cancel, leaving her empty-handed for competitions.

“Once COVID hit, and my triathlons were rescheduled to next year, as well as having limited access to pools, my coach and I felt like this was the perfect opportunity to try and break three hours.”

She started by running enough miles to try an even longer event, a 50-kilometer (31.1-mile) race. Her first potential race, at the Noland Trail, was canceled. In the true spirit of the loneliest runner, Henry ran the event – virtually.

“On October 11, Steven Keller paced me through a 50K. Three loops by my house. We used my driveway as an aid station.”

Henry covered the distance through Newport News and Hampton in 3:45. “I knew I was fit enough to break three hours after that. Luckily, Tidewater Striders offered a marathon!”

Henry ran an 18:23 5K to prepare for the speed work. As she notes in her blog, “Coach Jonny's instructions were to run 5:55/5:55/then all out the last mile. On a good day, I thought I could run 18:15. I just had nothing left in the tank on that last mile. Between the high run volume, and still somewhat recovering from that 50K, sub-18 was out of the question. Still, I was happy with the effort and elated that I finally got to do an actual in-person race.”

On November 21, Henry lined up with a strict mile-by-mile plan for breaking three hours, and one which essentially instructed not to run the first half of the race in about an hour and thirty minutes. Although the race started out quick, with a number of sub-six minute miles, Henry hit the midway point in 1:29:57.

Keeping with her coach’s instructions, Henry pulled a negative split, running the second half of the race faster than the first. In the end, her final time of 2:57:13 was good for third among women, seventh overall, and #16 all-time for African-American female marathoners.

Henry's own story of the race can be found on her blog site at why-i-run.blogspot.com.

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Roger Hopper (53:37) and Jenny Moran (1:06:26) won the men's and women's races at last weekend's Yorktown Battlefield 10-Miler.

The race was the first for the PTC since March. Locally, Williamsburg's Sorenna Jean was the lone Peninsula runner to score in the top-three, as the Jamestown graduate placed third among women in 1:11:38.

TOP OVERALL MEN

1 1 ROGER HOPPER 29 CHESAPEAKE VA 53:37 

2 2 ANDRE GALLANT 22 SUFFOLK VA 56:56 

3 3 DANIEL SHEAN 37 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:01:38 

TOP OVERALL WOMEN

1 12 JENNY MORAN 42 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:06:26 

2 25 EKATERINA AARON 22 NORFOLK VA 1:10:18 

3 27 SORENNA JEAN 18 WILLIAMSBURG VA 1:11:38 

TOP MASTERS MEN

1 5 TOBY WORM 47 SMITHFIELD VA 1:02:37 6:16

TOP MASTERS WOMEN

1 32 JULIE HICKS 45 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:14:07 

As reported by Bruce Davis of the Peninsula Track Club ---

The 2020 edition of the Yorktown Battlefield 10-Mile Run was held under somewhat challenging running conditions; sunny, but windy and cold with temperatures in the low 50s at race start, but dropping during the event.  238 runners entered the 10-Mile Run for the Heart with 199 completing the 10 Mile course on the scenic Yorktown Battlefield.

Two new age group course records for the Yorktown Battlefield 10-Mile Run were set today.

For men 75-79, Louis Dwyer, 77 of Southern Shores, NC set a new age group record with a time of 1:33:03 beating out the time of 1:38:51 set by Ronald Kellum in 2019.

For women 65-69, Joey Hallock, 67 of Virginia Beach, VA set a new age group record with a time of 1:18:53 besting the previous time of 1:24:26 set by Joan Coven in 2006.

Finish line and results services were provided by the Peninsula Track Club.  A copy of the results, links to pictures from the race, and listings for future road races can be found on the PTC website: www.peninsulatrackclub.com. 

Axsom's Army Wins 22 Medals in West Virginia Tourney

 On November 14, the Axsom dojo, headed by Sensei John "Bull Moose" Axsom, competed in the 1st Traditional Karate Tournament, which was held in St. Albany, WV. The tournament was hosted by the USA Martial Arts Foundation, and US National Karate Foundation Board member, Sensei Roger Jarrett. 

The categories were Kobudo (weapon forms), Kata (empty hand forms), and kumite (sparring). As has become customary over the past several years, Axsom's Army placed well. Even with one of their smallest contingents in reent memory (nine martial artists), the Newport News crew brought home a total of 22 medals. A breakdown of awards by age division and level. 

ADVANCED DIVISION:

18-34 Men - Austin Galeski - Bronze Kumite

14-15 Men - Ryan Sigsbee - Bronze Kata & Silver Kumite

12-13 Men - Jaylen Nicholson - Silver Kata, Silver Kumite & Bronze Kobudo 

10-11 Men - Amiyr Gordon - Bronze Kobudo, Silver Kata, Gold Kumite

NOVICE DIVISION:

16-17 Men - Alex Tomaino - Silver Kobudo, Bronze Kata & Kumite

14-15 Men - Brett Fallen - GOLD in Kobudo,  Kata, & Kumite

8-9 Men - Lucas Ramey - Silver Kobudo 

6-7 Men - Chris Gordon - Silver Kata, GOLD Kobudo &  Kumite

6-7 Women - Shianne Medlin - Bronze Kobudo & Kumite, Gold in Kata

William and Mary to Reinstate Dropped Sports

(From TribeAthletics.com)

William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe announced today the university will reset its process to determine long-term sustainability for W&M Athletics. As part of that reset, Rowe said, W&M men's athletics teams slated for reclassification will continue as Division I sports through at least 2021-22, in order to take a phased approach that allows for a gender equity review paired with exploration of alternative solutions leading to a long-term financial plan. 

The decision follows a recommendation from Interim Director of Athletics Jeremy P. Martin following his review of the decision announced Sept. 3, 2020, to discontinue seven of William & Mary's 23 Division I varsity sports – Men's and Women's Gymnastics, Men's and Women's Swimming, Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field, and Women's Volleyball. 

Equity, financial sustainability and excellence

Martin's report concludes that long-term solutions must be found within three frames – equity, financial sustainability and excellence. Recommendations include completing the department-wide gender equity review before deciding the scope of the varsity sports program W&M can realistically support; establishing defined fundraising goals for each team; engaging the entire W&M community in the conversation about excellence; and establishing a sustainable program that will achieve gender equity during the 2022-23 academic year.

"Since early last month, we have been engaged in a conversation about how to structure William & Mary's Division I athletics offerings in a way that is equitable, financially sustainable and excellent," Rowe said. "I appreciate that this has been an especially painful time for the students involved in the sports cut on September 3rd to endure.

"Many in our community – student-athletes, coaches, alumni, faculty and other supporters – have responded with passion, offering alternative solutions to the challenges facing the department," said Rowe, adding she is grateful for Martin's swift and thorough work over the past month to assess the path forward for W&M Athletics. "His recommendations address the reality that the athletics community needs time to confront together forthrightly: a status quo that is unsustainable with respect both to finances and mission." 

Review results in a phased approach

When Martin assumed the role of Interim Director of Athletics on Oct. 6, 2020, Rowe directed him to review the Sept. 3 plan, and asked that a report be completed by early November to minimize the uncertainty for those most directly affected. 

Martin reached out to coaches and student-athletes, met with representatives of the affected teams, coordinated with the Tribe Club Board and the W&M Foundation Athletics Committee, met with the Faculty Assembly and led a series of moderated community sessions.

While that process was underway, the university received notice of intent to sue on the grounds that the announced plan, including the cuts and the associated roster adjustments in other sports, did not in fact meet the Title IX standards. An institution may demonstrate compliance through any one of a three-prong test: substantial proportionality, a history of and continued program expansion for the underrepresented sex, or full and effective accommodation of the interests and abilities of the underrepresented sex. After a detailed review, Martin concluded that given the suit, the law and the university's desire to move quickly to achieve gender equity, the three women's sports should be restored. 

Accordingly, on Oct. 19 the university agreed to a settlement of the suit and announced that Women's Gymnastics, Women's Swimming and Women's Volleyball will continue as Division I varsity sports. Those restorations moved the university closer to its goal of achieving gender equity, but more work was required. The university committed to being in full compliance during 2022-2023 and to completing a thorough gender equity review and plan before September 2021. 

Martin subsequently completed his review of all the dimensions of the Sept. 3 plan, including the suspension of the four men's teams – Men's Gymnastics, Men's Swimming, and Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field. He concluded that despite the very real and pressing financial challenges, the university should take more time to consider the best path for W&M Athletics going forward, in order to rebuild confidence, explore potential financial support and develop broader understanding of the challenges faced. 

"My review made it crystal clear that the Sept. 3 rollout and the subsequent identification of flaws in the plan's proposed implementation of the gender equity component led to legitimate questions within the W&M community," Martin said. "We should bring the same thoughtful, phased planning and execution the university used in dealing with COVID-19 to the challenges facing W&M Athletics. The next year and a half will give us the opportunity to do just that."  

Future decisions pending gender equity, financial review

Based on Martin's assessment and recommendations, Rowe requested completion of the gender equity review and aggressive exploration of financial alternatives before moving forward with decisions about the scope of programs that can be supported. The university remains committed to achieving gender equity during 2022-23, and future reclassifications may well be required unless W&M establishes a new financial path. To address significant financial shortfalls this year and in coming years, the department will also create a new cost-reduction plan, as other departments at William & Mary have been asked to do.

"Going forward, William & Mary Athletics cannot fulfill its commitments to provide an equitable and excellent environment for learning and competing in Division I, under its prior financial model," Rowe said. "Director Martin has outlined a clear and hopeful path to achieving those essential goals with an operational footing that could be sustainable beyond 2020, if the milestones the department will establish are reached."

Martin said he recognizes that William & Mary could well have to face the same very difficult decisions to become compliant during  2022-23, but noted that with an additional year and a half to prepare, the university will be in a much better position to deal with the challenges as a united community. He added that the financial challenges, even for this year, remain very real, and he is committed to a strong partnership with University Advancement, the Tribe Club and the W&M Foundation to meet the challenge head on. A $1.5 million challenge grant announced last month by an anonymous donor for women's athletic scholarships, made in support of Rowe and the university's commitment to gender equity, is an important step forward, he said.

 Martin added that based on his conversations with supporters of each team, he is counting on them to find funds to cover operating costs and beyond that, to ensure the teams can be sustained and thrive going forward, via endowments. W&M Athletics has posted annual fundraising goals for each program through 2022 while shared solutions are sought, and contacts for each sport. Additional targets for scholarships and capital endowment will be shared in early spring.

 "There is a great deal to be done, and the time for us to step up and work together on shared solutions is here," Martin said. "I am getting to know our incredible student-athletes, coaches and staff, and I have seen the passion our alumni have for our programs. I am confident we will be able to move forward together and emerge even stronger.

 

(As seen on UltimateRecruit.com) Super Takes the Reins of Kecoughtan High Football

As if being a first-year coach wasn’t enough of a challenge, Jeff Super, the new head whistle of the Kecoughtan High football team, has adopted a program that has been interrupted by a pandemic, a truncated practice schedule, and a season-opening contest against one of the stalwart teams in his Peninsula District and a coach who has almost 500 more career victories.

And to listen to Super, that is all just fine. He’s just ready to prepare his team and start playing games.

There are plenty of reasons for his enthusiasm. Aside from youthful energy (Super will turn 30 on November 5), the new Warrior coach has walked into a program trending upward again. In spite of a 1-9 finish in 2019, things are looking good for Super and his Woodland Road band.

The first perk benefitted all of the Hampton teams equally, but it’s hard to complain about a brand-new weight room.

“This went way beyond my wildest dreams,” said Super, who has test-driven the lifting equipment along with some of his assistant coaches. “We have eight all-purpose racks and eight platform racks. The whole thing must have cost 350-400 thousand dollars!”

As far as using the equipment goes, Super quipped, “You want to test drive the Ferrari, not the ’95 pick-up truck.”

Along with the aesthetic improvements in the athletic wing, the first-year ball coach is excited with the renewed excitement surrounding his team. “With the new room, it’s an ooh and aah kind of thing. But we need something like this to keep kids interested.” That takes care of step one, but there is more to do. “It is up to us as coaches to keep the competitive attitude going.”

Part of the goal is to keep the team numbers up. “We have about 75-80 kids right now between the varsity and jayvee,” said Super. “The good news is that we have 30 freshmen. We want to keep 30 freshmen every year, and that way, we should have 120 players in four years.”

For this season, Super is looking at four particular players to provide leadership and experience to the “fairly younger” Warrior contingent.

Peyton Douglas (c/o 2022, 5-11 195, RB/ILB) is a player who should get a lot of looks FCS, D2, or D3 teams according to Super. He will be the primary ball carrier.

Jason Freeman (c/o 2022, 5-9 185, ILB/MLB) will give the Warriors some strength behind the defensive line. “He’s an aggressive kid,” says his coach.

Richard Fox (c/o 2022, 6-3 270, OL/DL) gives Kecoughtan size on both sides of the ball. He is a returning starter.

And Gabe Simon (c/o 2022, 6-2 185, WR) will be relied on to lead the Warrior receiving crew.

Super’s coaching staff will be driven by brother Zachary, Courtney Connor (defensive coordinator), and Zachary James (defensive backs/special teams).

Their job will be a tough one. The Warriors will hold no scrimmage games, and then open the season late next winter against Hampton High and coach Mike Smith (493 career wins). Kecoughtan will play through the first six games of its original schedule to complete the regular season.

Hopper, Honeycutt Win September CRR 5K's

At least one sport has finally figured out a way to renew its season. Even though it is not on any high school or college athletic schedule, make no mistake that hundreds of athletes have been happy to see road racing start again on the Peninsula.

In fact, the area Colonial Road Racers started back to business in late June, when the Virginia Regional Ballet 5K kickstarted a racing agenda that had been stagnant for three and a half months.

The CRR sponsored two races in September, and the latest results indicate that several local runners are showing no effects of the layoff.

Two harriers in particular, Roger Hopper and Emily Honeycutt, won both races – the D.O.G. Street Pandemic 5K on September 5, and the Powhatan Creek 5K, held two weeks later.

At the Duke of Gloucester Street race, Hopper enjoyed a 42-second cushion over Jacob Warner to break the tape first in 15:44. Jamestown High standout Luke Tompkins was third in 16:38, ten seconds ahead of his father, Jamestown coach, and Masters’ winner Mark Tompkins (16:48).

Honeycutt was pushed more, but seized the “W” with a time of 19:48. Jenny Moran of Virginia Beach gave a worthwhile chase, but ended up in the runner-up spot, just six seconds back in 19:54. Annie Gilbride of Providence Forge was third in 22:16.

The most noteworthy event of the morning may have been the performance of Stephen Chantry. Chantry has eased well into the 65-69 age group, and his age group winning time of 18:58 beat the old CRR age group 5K record, for any sponsored race) of 19:52 by almost a full minute. The eight-year-old record had been held by Jim Thornton, who posted the time at the Governor’s Landing 5K.

At the Powhatan Creek 5K, Hopper broke the course record of 16:13, but he was pushed to the edge by the former record holder, Williamsburg’s Will Thompson, who placed second in 16:10, just five seconds behind the victor.

Honeycutt’s winning time of 20:16 placed her 15 seconds ahead of Saylor Burris (20:31), who at 17, did break the age group course record for women 15-19.

Other age group records were broken by Cooper Hurst (men’s 15-19, 16:43), Roswitha Goossens-Winter (women’s 70-74, 33:09), Rick Samaha (men’s 60-64, 20:20), and Randy Hawthorne (men’s 75-79, 27:58).

 

Peninsula Sports History - A Look Back - BLM in 1968 - McCaskill and Keyes of Newport News Protest at Purdue U.

While the current Black Lives Matter movement is impacting society and aiming to prompt thoughtful reflection and discussion among Americans, many of us are reminded that the fight against racism has not seen such a bold movement since 1968. As it turns out, two of the greatest athletes in the history of the Virginia Peninsula, former NFL great Leroy Keyes, and All-American track athlete Eric McCaskill, were two catalysts for one such movement - a pair of protests at their school - Purdue University.  (Below - Keyes, McCaskill, and former Purdue teammate, NFL Hall of Famer Bob Griese)

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Mr. McCaskill through our shared time at local track meets at the Booplex, and was reminded of a story he shared with me several years ago. Ironically, he recently resent the story of the Purdue protests to a select group, and I was pleased to be on the list. Here is their story, unfiltered ---

In this time of civil unrest and the festering wound of structural racism being exposed and having a global impact, African American athletes are once again using their platforms to offer remedies for this major malady!

It was over 50 years ago, the African American Students at Purdue University participated in two protests!

The first was in May 1968, a month after the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Over 100 African American Students marched in silence with paper bags containing red bricks (symbolic of the red brick buildings at Purdue) to the Administration Building! The "Silent Protest" was organized by Homer LaRue (now a law professor at Howard University), and Linda Jo Mitchell (also in academia and continues activism for human rights for African Americans).

There were nine Demands, one of which was the need for an African American full professor was met. Dr. Helen Bass Williams came from an HBCU, Tougaloo College in Mississippi where she worked with famous Civil Rights Activist, Fannie Lou Hamer.

It was an act of Providence for Dr. Williams to arrive at the time Eric McCaskill had the vision for the Black Cultural Center. She was the key advisor by preparing McCaskill to present the vision to President Frederick Hovde.

The other eight demands, especially for inclusion in campus life and housing discrimination were not met.

There were other peaceful protests in 1968 by African American Athletes (especially after the "Black Fists" salute by Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics) which led to the arrest of Heisman candidate and All-American Football Player, Leroy Keyes, former Carver High School (now Crittenden Middle School) in Newport News, VA. Keyes was voted the Greatest Football Player in 100 years of Purdue Football (over Bob Griese, Len Dawson, Lamar Lundy, and Drew Brees).

A year later, in March of 1969, McCaskill, a member of the Purdue 1967 Rose Bowl Champions Team,  former six-time State Champion in the high and low hurdles (in Virginia) and holder of four National High School records in the hurdles (a Newport News native and Huntington High School alum) presented the vision for a Black Cultural Center! He now considers it a vision from God!

Later that month, McCaskill and fellow track athletes challenged the clean-shaven rule as being culturally biased.

The seven African Americans on the team decided that they would not shave and showed up at the Purdue Airport to board a plane to the University of Iowa for a track meet!

When they arrived at the Airport, Mel Harris (another Newport News Native), Jimmy Jackson (national high school record holder in 880 yard run and a native of Brooklyn, NY), and McCaskill did not shave. The assistant coach told them that they did could not go, and McCaskill made an impulsive statement. He said: "If I had a bomb, I would blow the plane up!"

The assistant coach said that McCaskill said he planted a bomb on the plane (which was not possible with an airport secured fence).

The pilot heard what the assistant coach said and panicked and refused to fly.

Airport authorities called the FBI. McCaskill was detained and interrogated.

After the bomb squad from Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis arrived and determined that there was no bomb, McCaskill was released from FBI interrogation.

An hour later, the Indiana State Police arrived at the Airport and arrested McCaskill for disorderly conduct and he was taken to the jail in West Lafayette, IN.

Because the Dean of Humanities and McCaskill's Academic Advisor knew McCaskill's character and being an Honor Student, the Dean paid the bond for McCaskill.

The incident was on national TV networks. McCaskill's Mother, Iona Williams+ McCaskill+Thomas was living in Manhattan preparing to attend the famous Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, pastored by Rev. and Rep. Adam Clayton Powell (the first African American Congressman) when she heard about the incident on NBC's Huntley-Brinkley Nightly News. While ironing in preparation to attend Abyssinian the next day (Sunday), she dropped the iron reacting to her son's arrest! 

In preparation for the court hearing, African American Students rallied around McCaskill and marched to the Tippecanoe County Courthouse in Lafayette, IN. 

After the charge was dropped, McCaskill and his fellow Purdue Students marched from the Courthouse to the Purdue Administration Building to present the vision for the Black Cultural Center!

This time the students entered the building to see President Hovde (the Administration Building is named after him). 

President Hovde was out of town. Rather than turn back, McCaskill requested that his secretary locate him and put him on the phone.

Rev. Mrs. Linda "Duchess" McCaskill made a profound observation. Had her husband turned around, the momentum would have slowed down and the opportunity to present the vision for a Black Cultural Center could have been lost!

After talking with President Hovde on the phone, the McCaskill Ad Hoc Committee was established to discuss the need for a Black Cultural Center.

Out of what could have been a negative outcome for McCaskill (police abuse, loss of scholarship, and dismissal from the University), the Purdue Black Cultural Center was approved on June 6, 1969!

The story can be seen in the documentary film, "Black Purdue" on You Tube and Google (see link below). 

Keyes and McCaskill are also in the book, "Ever True, 150 Years of Giant Leaps at Purdue University." The book is about the 150-year history of Purdue. The author, John Norberg, gives a concise history of Purdue beginning with the founder John Purdue in 1869, to the first African American graduate in 1894, to the War years, to Civil Rights era, to Purdue Astronauts/Neil Armstrong/Gus Grissom/Gene Cernan, to Don Thompson, the first and only CEO, McDonald's Corp, to the founding of the National Society of Black Engineers to present day at Purdue.

The book can be purchased on Amazon, Book Shop, and Purdue University Book Stores.

There are also links about interviews with McCaskill.

It has been 52 years since Tommie Smith and John Carlos used the power of media on a national platform to protest structural racism and abusive policing on Citizens of the African Diaspora in the USA!  And it's been 51years since Newport News athletes, Leroy Keyes and Eric McCaskill stood up for the human rights of students of the African Diaspora at Purdue University!

McCaskill continues to seek to ameliorate conditions for the historically marginalized and dehumanized.

Through the Alpha & Omega Institute for Family Preservation, the McCaskills seek to build bridges of goodwill between Citizens of Color and Police Officers! In 2014, they launched the PACCT (Police And Concerned Citizens Together) Initiative to accomplish this goal!

Now that we all know that "Black Lives Matter," let's prevent lethal force by police officers by implementing the PACCT Initiative and other initiatives/programs/strategies that seek to remedy the egregious history of structural racism in America!

In the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by bad people, but the silence over that by the good people."

The athletes are concerned citizens who are not fostering the "ultimate tragedy" if silence in times of a moral crisis!

God's Grace has been in America for years. The question is how long will He tolerate what He, a Loving God hates, blaspheming the Virtues of His Holy Spirit: Caring, Compassion, Faithfulness,  Forgiveness

Integrity, Kindness, Respect, Unity, and most of all Love!

The McCaskills are working to make America great within by building morally strong families with the evidence-based Five Strategies of the global Virtues Project!

For more information contact: Linda "Duchess" McCaskill at 757.719.2051 or email: duchessmc3@gmail.com.

www.aonet.org

https://youtu.be/lMaQyMyQpDc

https://youtu.be/hkcbztci7Vg

https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=639286373241552&_rdr

Response from Adam Otstot as William and Mary Plans to Drop Seven Sports, Including Men's Track & Field

By Adam Otstot

I am a proud William and Mary Alum ('04, '07).  As a high school senior, one of my most vivid memories was sitting down at my desk in the spring with two acceptance letters: one from the University of Virginia, and the other from the College of William and Mary.  I had two successful visits, and I could envision a promising future with either choice.  The College's overall size, clear undergraduate teaching focus, and location were huge selling points, but the one thing that made the decision for me was an opportunity to run Division I Cross Country and Track and Field.  At the time, my athletic accomplishments were solid, but nothing that would have caught the eye of a Division I coach.  Coach Gerard at W&M was open to letting me walk-on, and it was that opportunity that elevated W&M as THE school for me.  I became part of the Tribe Family, and it was the best decision I could have made.      

In my time at William and Mary, I was involved in several extracurricular activities.  In addition to being a student-athlete, I was a four-year member of I.T., the improvisation theatre campus group, and I participated regularly in the Wesley Foundation.  While each activity provided learning experiences and growth opportunities, it was my time running that had the most profound impact on my life.  I quickly found that I thrived in the environment.  By my junior year, I earned the chance to represent W&M as we finished 14th in the NCAA Cross Country Championships.  On the track I found similar success, earning All-Conference accolades all four years and capping off my career as the 2003 Scholar Athlete of the Year in Cross County and as the CAA Champion in the 3000m Steeplechase.  To be competitive on the conference, regional, and national stages required consistent training and racing, and my development as an athlete was aided in large part by the three season structure of cross country, indoor, and outdoor track.  Without that consistent application of stress I may have realized success within the team, but I would have been at a huge disadvantage when competing against other schools, along with the rest of my teammates.

My growth was not limited to physical feats and the lifelong camaraderie that was forged between me and my teammates; as a Kinesiology major, I was able to use what I learned on the track and apply those lessons in the classroom.  I became fanatical about exploring the limits of my body and finding the science behind why those limits exist and how I could get closer to them.  It was the most exhilarating exercise in authentic learning I could have ever dreamt of.

My experiences as a student-athlete at William and Mary thoroughly prepared me for my post-collegiate careers as a health and physical education teacher, a professional triathlete, a high performance coach, and currently, as a health and physical education curriculum specialist.

I am urging for a serious and thorough reconsideration of the decision to discontinue men's track and field, one of William and Mary’s most successful athletic programs, as announced on Thursday, September 3rd, 2020.  I experienced firsthand how powerful this program is to the current and future life of a William and Mary student, and I sincerely hope that a solution can be found to allow future students to feel its impact as well.

Save the Tribe 7 Save Tribe Track & Field William & Mary Tribe Athletics

https://savetribetrack.wixsite.com

https://www.change.org/p/william-mary-save-william-mary-athletics

Colonial Road Racing Grand Prix Alters Several Dates

In order to best tally up its Grand Prix victors, and keep the running community well trained and in race-ready form, the Colonial Grand Prix has rescheduled a number of its postponed races.

The CRR OnlineThe VA Fire Chiefs 5K, originally scheduled for March 14 and first rescheduled to August 15, has now been re-rescheduled to October 3. The signup link can be found at:

https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Williamsburg/VirginiaFireChiefsFoundation5k/

The Powhatan Creek Trail 5K Run, originally scheduled for August 22, has been rescheduled for September 19. Its signup link is at:

https://runsignup.com/race/va/williamsburg/CRRGP

One of the more popular races, the D.O.G. Street Challenge is still on for September 5, with both an in-person race (if one is already registered) or virtually (completed any time between 9/4 and 9/30). More information can be found at:

https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Williamsburg/RunTheDOG/

The Crown at Yorktown 5K was canceled and then restructured as the Logy Bear 8K, to be held at New Quarter Park on September 26.

https://runsignup.com/race-va-williamsburg-newquarterparkraceslogybear8kgummybear5kand1milefunrun

More schedule information can be found on the CRR site -http://colonialroadrunners.org/schedule.html

VA Lady Firehawks to Join USWFL

The number of women’s tackle football teams in the Hampton Roads region has added by one. Last month, the VA Lady Firehawks started operations with a familiar face at the helm.

Michael Smith, who honed his coaching chops as the offensive coordinator of the Hampton Roads Lady Gators, aims to bring something different to the mix as the coach and co-owner (with wife Arica).

“I had a great run with a great Lady Gators team that is well run by a good owner,” said Smith, whose team will compete in the same USWFL (United States Women’s Football League) that the Gators captured as champions in its second season.

“But my vision is deep, and passion is strong where I feel the best way to help empower women and give them THEIR TEAM is to start one! Our vision is to uplift and build from the ground up and give them a base foundation.”

Continuing, Smith adds, “The Lady Firehawks organization want to be the positive, the outlet, the brand and the standard for women’s football. We want to provide an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself. We are driven, turn all negatives into positives, and give (our players) a place to call home through organization and structure.”

For the Smiths, this order will be driven with a coaching staff drawn from the Gators and built over the past decade.

“We will compete with some of the best coaches that take the players interest to heart, and build this game for all women regardless of race, religion, and location.  Our coaching staff has been together since our 14U youth championship team, and the same staff helped the Lady gators to their first championship. The Firehawks will be the new normal for women’s football in Hampton Roads. Regardless of whether we win, lose, or draw, we are driven to make everyone successful in all phases of women’s football,” adds Smith. 

Virginia Peninsula Sports will follow with more roster and schedule details as they emerge. The Hawks have been successful in gathering players, but still have some roster spots to fill. For more information, the team has a Facebook page @valadyfirehawks, and can also be found on Instagram at @va_lady_firehawks.

Jim McGrath - My Life as a Sportscaster

LIONSBRIDGE FC CAMPS TO BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY

HEY, PARENTS!

SUMMER CAMP BEGINS NEXT WEEK!

Phase 3 will be here next week... just in time for Lionsbridge FC Summer Youth Soccer Camps!

Registration is open for all five July sessions, including Yorktown (day and night camp), Newport News (day and night camp), and Gloucester (night).

All campers will receive instruction from Lionsbridge FC coaches and players, a camp t-shirt from All-Pro Tactical, and a ticket to a future home game.

Lionsbridge FC has taken a number of health and safety precautions to reduce the risk of COVID-19, and more information on that can be found below in RED.

CAMP SCHEDULE:

Gloucester / Woodville Park:

July 1-2 (Wed-Thu: 5pm to 7pm)

Yes! Registration is Open!

Yorktown / McReynolds Sports Complex:

July 6-10 (Mon-Thu: 8:30am to 2:30pm; Fri: 8:30am to noon)

Yes! Registration is Open (keyword search: Lionsbridge)

July 13-16 (Mon-Thu: 5:45pm to 8pm)

Yes! Registration is Open (keyword search: Lionsbridge)

Newport News / Warwick HS:

July 20-24 (Mon-Thu: 8:30am to 2:30pm; Fri: 8:30am to noon)

Yes! Registration is Open!

July 27-30 (Mon-Thu: 5:45pm to 8pm)

Yes! Registration is Open!

CAMP DIRECTORS:

Chris Whalley

Lionsbridge FC head coach

Chowan University head coach

Tennant McVea

Lionsbridge FC assistant coach

Old Dominion University associate head coach

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS:

All campers must bring and use their own equipment (ball, water bottle, towel, etc.). Sharing will not be permitted.

Parents or guardians of campers and camp staff will be required to complete a daily COVID-19 symptom screening questionnaire prior to arriving each day.

Camp participants will be subject to additional regulations as required or recommended by local, state, and federal health authorities and parks & rec departments. This may include, but may not be limited to, physical distancing, daily temperature checks, etc.

Coaches and staff will wear protective face coverings.  

While such measures may be an inconvenience, Lionsbridge FC and our camp partners are all committed to meeting health and safety protocols to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Failure to participate according to these guidelines may be a reason for dismissal without a refund.

Simply put, we intend to provide a safe, healthy, and fun environment for campers, coaches and staff!

Local Swimming Team Powers SEVA and Coast Guard Blue Dolphins (CGBD) to Merge

(Note: A special thanks to coach Jeff Kincaid of SEVA for giving me the heads-up on this merger. Mr. Keith's original article was posted yesterday at swimswam.com, and edited for posting here at VPS)

By Braden Keith and Jim McGrath

The Coast Guard Blue Dolphins (CGBD) and SEVA Seahawks, two of the top USA Swimming club teams in Hampton Roads, have agreed to merge swimming operations under one umbrella, effective September 1 of this year. The combined team is expected to have more than 325 year-round swimmers and 20 employees serving Newport News and surrounding areas in Southeast Virginia.

At the 2020 Virginia Senior Championships in early March, one of the final meets before competition across the country was halted, the CGBD team finished 3rd overall while SEVA finished 13th overall.

This merger continues a trend in Virginia of clubs combining into multi-site mega clubs. The club that finished first at those Senior Championships, NOVA of Virginia, is the product of a 2013 merger between two clubs - the prior NOVA program and the Virginia Association for Competitive Swimming (VACS). 

Jack Bierie of the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins will emerge as the head coach of the combined program.

“I am very excited about the unification of the two programs,” Bierie said. “I feel that combining our coaching staffs and programs will have a positive impact on the swimming community and make us one of the premier programs in the US. It has been a long time coming and I look forward to working with their staff and families.”

Bierie, a 1984 US Olympic Trials qualifier, joined the team’s coaching staff in 2006. He works under the club’s CEO and senior coach Steven Hennessy. Hennessy has been with the club since 2000 and served in his current position since 2008.

“Bringing together the talent, experience, and spirit of each organization will create a new chemistry of swimming excellence on the Peninsula,” Hennessy said. “Discussed many times in the past, we have finally made it happen because of the vision, courage, and determination of the leadership of both teams. Unifying our programs is exciting for the swimmers, the families, coaches, and our swimming community. Working alongside outstanding swimmers, families, and staff as one is a dream come true for those of us who have labored long at creating a united program.”

Dave Henderson, the head coach of SEVA, also expressed excitement about the merger.

“It is exciting to start working with the combined resources of both teams including swimmers, staff, and member parents,” Henderson said. “Together, we will offer expanded programming and achieve a higher level of competitive success. The combination of our programs will offer the Peninsula and Hampton Roads community learn-to-swim, stroke technique instruction, Masters (adult) swimming and additional options for youth competitive swimming. We will have programs for very young children all the way to adults that are well into their 90’s and all ages in between. The staff will become the most experienced not only in our area but in the United States. Our community will benefit the most and will want to be a part of the team. I look forward to being a part of a new beginning.”

Henderson has 37 years of coaching experience and was the head coach at SEVA for 18 years. His primary on-deck focus is the team’s age group elite program.

Among CGBD’s most accomplished alumni is 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Christine Marshall, who trained with the Blue Dolphins in her youth until matriculating to Texas A&M, and continued to represent the club at the USA Swimming competition.

A spokesperson for the club says that the conversation began in late January of 2020, before the global coronavirus pandemic took hold in the US, and that the new club has started practicing.

(Archives) 1968 Olympian Tommie Smith promotes healthy living at Hampton youth track event

By Jim McGrath (published in Daily Press on January 20, 2015)

HAMPTON -- On Oct. 16, 1968, Tommie Smith stepped on to an Olympic track in Mexico City and officially became the fastest man in the world, winning the gold medal in the 200-meter dash with a time of 19.83, a mark was the world record for 11 years.

It was the second-most significant thing he did that day.

You may need help with the names, but you know the picture. After winning the race, Smith, flanked on the medal podium by college and USA teammate John Carlos, and Australian silver medalist Peter Norman, thrust a black-gloved fist toward the humid Mexico City sky. The picture that captured Smith's right fist and Carlos' left became an iconic image of the Olympics, and a key event of the Civil Rights movement.

On Sunday, Smith raised his arm in another gesture, but this one was to fire the starting pistol for the first race at the first Tommie Smith Indoor Youth Track Meet and Health Fair, held at the Boo Williams Sportsplex. The meet, hosted by Hampton's William and Charlene Moore and the Technique Track Club, included more than 600 athletes from four states and the District of Columbia. There will be a similar outdoor meet in late May at Hampton University's Armstrong Stadium.

While the historical event of 1968 may have been recognized by more people, the meet, the first indoor event to bear Tommie Smith's name, is fueled by another great cause — the need for youths to exercise and eat healthy.

"This brings about positive change," said Smith, who at 70 (born on D-Day, June 6, 1944) still bears a strong athletic presence. "We focus on health, but we also look at things of organization, like the importance of being prompt. We use track and field as part of the program."

It's a message that Smith and his wife, Delois, are taking around the world. They are based in Atlanta but "probably make two or three trips each month," said Delois Jordan-Smith.

While the travel is burdensome, the by-products of their presence are evident.

"Because of the involvement of Dr. Smith (he recently retired after 33 years as a sociology professor) and other representatives, we have the opportunity to give our kids a chance to make healthy choices in life. It would seem like we're only focused on SOLs (Standards of Learning) and grades, but we want to work with the social and emotional development of each child, to create a well-rounded individual," said Kimberly Judge, principal of Newsome Park Elementary in Newport News, one of two pilot schools that will receive health and educational services as part of the Youth Movement Initiative of 100 Black Men of America.

"We focus on how to address our youth's health and wellness," said Dr. Jeremiah Williams, president of the Virginia Peninsula chapter of 100 Black Men. "We take care of health first, but we'll also visit the schools weekly to read with the students, and we do things such as Secret Santa every Christmas. We commit a lot of resources to this, and our aim is to get the community involved. I love it."

The Health and Wellness initiative started 14 years ago in Oakland, Calif., but has branched out to several other cities, making the most impact in the District of Columbia, and now Hampton Roads.

Health screenings, conducted by biology and nursing students from HU, gave an indication of some of the program's elements.

"We will meet weekly with students and their parents," said Michelle Penn-Marshall, biology chairperson at HU. "We'll measure their height, weight, and BMI (body-mass index), give them cooking lessons and show them how to prepare healthy snacks. We also show them how to budget their money and eat healthy."

The significance of the event was lost on few spectators. Newport News Mayor McKinley Price was in attendance, as well as 100 Black Men national president Charlie Hill and track Olympians LaTasha Colander and Bershawn "Batman" Jackson.

Colander, a Portsmouth native who anchored the gold-medal 4x400-meter women's relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, spoke of the importance of the inaugural meet.

"This ignites the flame and inspires youths," said Colander, who was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in April. "The younger generation hasn't experienced the track and field world. They don't realize that we run track meets in football stadiums all over Europe. It's bigger than what we see, and they should know that you can have a future, and a profession in track."

HU track coach Maurice Pierce mirrored the feeling.

"Tommie Smith is my childhood hero," said Pierce, who has coached several Olympians, including Francena McCorory, whose 49.48-second clocking in the 400 meters was the fastest women's time in the world last year. "I hope that people realize the historical significance of today."

Before the meet, all of the competitors were summoned to the infield, where Smith addressed the youngsters.

"Today is a day of historic recognition. You have a legacy that will last for the rest of your life. Consider yourself to be winners, regardless of your time or place. Today, in you, a winner is born!"

After the opening race, Smith met with fans, both young and old, in the auxiliary area near the front entrance. While the older visitors spoke of his impact on their lives, some of the younger kids in line gained a valuable history lesson.

Amirah Critz, 9, had her first opportunity to speak with Smith. As she received her autographed picture of the three Olympic medal winners on the medal stand, her eyes brightened up and the young lady announced her newfound revelation.

"You're famous!"

(Archives) Francena McCorory, Allen Iverson headline Lower Virginia Peninsula Hall of Fame class of 2017: Lisa Dillard, Yvette Lewis, Keith Witherspoon, Bev Vaughan Selected

(Note: Just a reminder as to why it is so much fun to cover sports here on the Peninsula in Hampton Roads, Virginia. This article is from 2017. (Photo)  L- Former  Bethel HS Track Coach Eddie Williams, R - Francena McCorory

The Athletic Hall of Fame of the Lower Virginia Peninsula will hold its triennial inductions Aug. 13 at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton.

The hall, which is operated through the City of Hampton, inducts a maximum of six individuals each cycle, as well as two others who are recognized as contributors.

This year's slate will be full. The athlete inductees are Allen Iverson, Francena McCorory, Bev Vaughan, Lisa Dillard, Yvette Lewis, and Keith Witherspoon.

The contributor awards go to Linwood D. "Butch" Harper and Bob Hintz. Harper is a longtime youth athletic figure in Hampton, while Hintz coached basketball at Bethel before moving on to become a longtime broadcaster with Hampton's Local Sports Channel, where he has served for many years.

Four of the inductees are best known for their exploits in track and field. McCorory (Bethel High, Hampton University) won three NCAA championships for the Pirates before striking Olympic gold twice, in 2012 and 2016, as a member of the 4x400 relay. She is also a former American record-holder in the indoor 400 meters, and she won the world outdoor 400-meter crown in 2014.

Lisa Dillard was a six-time outdoor state champion for Tabb (100, 200, long jump), then ran for one season with Christopher Newport (1986-87), where she won five individual Division III national championships, while setting national D-III records for the indoor 55 meters and long jump and outdoor 200 meters and long jump. From there, Dillard transferred to Clemson and won six individual ACC titles while earning All-American status four times. She was named to the ACC's 50th-anniversary team.

Lewis (Denbigh and Menchville High, HU) scored 48 points to win an outdoor state title for Menchville by herself in 2003 before competing for Coach Maurice Pierce at HU, winning an indoor and outdoor NCAA title in the triple jump. Lewis later moved on to compete as a professional in the 100-meter hurdles. She won the 2011 Pan-American Games title for the U.S. team and finished her career competing for the Panama team at the 2016 Olympics.

Lewis, now an assistant coach at Norfolk State, may be the first woman ever to run under 12.7 in the 100-meter hurdles (12.67) and triple-jump over 45 feet.

Witherspoon won the 1971 AAA triple jump for Huntington at 49 feet, 4.5 inches, which tied the existing state record. Moving on to the University of Virginia, Witherspoon was a three-time All-American in the triple jump and set Cavalier records in the long and triple jumps. His indoor and outdoor triple-jump records stood for 36 years. His success has continued well into adulthood, as Witherspoon has set the masters' (40 years and over) world indoor triple-jump mark of 49-11.

Bev Vaughan is originally from Portsmouth but is best-known on the Peninsula for establishing the women's athletic program at Christopher Newport, where he served as athletic director from 1967 to 1987. Under his guidance, the Lady Captains transitioned from independent status into the Dixie Conference, from junior-college club teams to Division III national champs. Vaughan doubled as the school's first men's basketball coach and won 204 games in 14 seasons.

The best known of the inductees is Iverson, who led Bethel to state championships in both football and basketball in the school year of 1992-93. Both his 948 single-season points in basketball and five interceptions in one football game are Virginia records.

Iverson played two years for John Thompson with Georgetown, where he was a consensus All-American, before being drafted No. 1 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1996. Iverson was named the league's MVP in 2001 and led the 76ers to the NBA Finals.

At 6-1, he is arguably the best "small man" in NBA history, and last year, the 11-time All-Star was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Will There Be High School Sports in the Fall? My Two Cent Scenario to Play Ball

Yesterday, The Virginia High School League issued the following statement, which can be found on its website at vhsl.org.

"(Charlottesville, VA)) — The Virginia High School League released guidelines on Friday alongside Phase 1 of reopening the state regarding out of season practice for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.

After receiving numerous inquiries from school divisions, the VHSL says it will continue to follow protocols and guidelines. This means that currently, out of season practice and all activities this summer are canceled until further notice. 

The current relaxing of the Governor’s stay at home order applies to businesses and schools remain closed as well as in-school facility use are still off-limits.

The VHSL said in a release that after Governor Northam declares schools can re-open and guidelines are provided for the reopening, the organization will work with the Executive Committee to set protocols and guidelines for resuming athletic activities. 

“We ask every member school to support the Governor’s directives and the DOE during this time,” said VHSL officials. “Every decision will be made in compliance with those orders and will continue to be made with the best interest of our student-athletes and the public. Safety will always be our number one priority.”

More information on the Virginia High School League can be found online."

By the verbiage of the statement, this does not cancel summer practices, as the decision can be reversed after further review. The powers that be will meet again next month, unless there is a decision to congregate and reconsider sooner.

However, many skeptics took this as the next step of the process to cancel fall sports, or at least push their seasons forward to next spring.

Can fall sports be played this year? Maybe, but it will depend on a certain set of circumstances.

I see a scenario (based on nothing but my educated guess) where a "virtual" summer school keeps buildings closed until mid-August, and then teams could get their 20 required practices and start contests in mid-September. For HS football, by cutting out the bye week and the first round of playoffs (bad news for the 1-9 and 2-8 teams who make the postseason in the lower classes), the season could be wrapped up the week before Christmas break. 

Here is my thinking. Generally, one school is designated for a school system's summer school, and an assistant principal is chosen from a host of applicants to be the principal of the summer sessions. In Arlington, summer school is slated to take place at Washington-Liberty, while in Prince William, Potomac High in Dumfries has been designated as the location.

Yesterday, I asked an assistant principal in Northern Virginia about the possibility of conducting summer school. The response surprised me - "We don't know yet." In the meantime, many summer teaching positions throughout the state have remained unfilled. For those checking the calendar, summer school would be starting in 4-5 weeks, and because many schools are not teaching new material, or in some cases, issuing grades other than pass/fail, how can a teacher objectively determine who should fail a course and be forced to remediate with a summer session?

Anyhow, that is my rationale for either canceling summer school, or making it virtual for those who may choose to attend for academic reinforcement.

While this not directly relate to sports, it does serve as a reason to keep the buildings closed until August.

Point 2 -- Northern Virginia will not reach Phase 1 for at least two weeks. I can't imagine that the coaches at Westfield and Stone Bridge will be silent if Oscar Smith and Maury are allowed to practice for a week or two before they can. The starting date has to be a uniform one, and current VHSL regulations require that a player participate in 20 days of practice before being allowed to play in a game. There will be no two-week warm-up session, followed by the start of competition. There will have to be three-and-a-half to four weeks of practice.

My scenario would probably have practices start on August 10, with the four weeks leading into Labor Day weekend. Games would begin on Thursday, September 10. If the bye week is eliminated and schools have to play ten games in ten weeks, the regular-season finale would be on November 14. 

If the VHSL decides to revert its former decision of allowing the top eight teams from each region into the playoffs, and whittling it to a Final Four, we could save a week of post-season play, and the state championships could commence on December 12. If the decision is made to include a bye week, it would be postponed to the 19th.

Then again, if there is a marginal growth in COVID-19 cases and deaths throughout Virginia after the implementation of Phase 1, then this proposal goes out the window. But this will be a test of self-discipline as the teams with the most athletes continuing to dutifully stay conditioned will have a strong advantage from Day 1. The underlying message. Stay in shape and stay tuned!

(Archives) Fox Hill Fast-Pitch Softball Celebrates 50 Year Anniversary of World Championship Run

(Originally printed in the Daily Press - September 22, 2015. Posted on Chicago Tribune.com - 2020)

With the passing of another Labor Day, a landmark event in Hampton Roads sports reached its silver anniversary. During that late summer weekend in 1965, the Fox Hill fast-pitch softball team won its first regional tournament and earned a berth in the world championships, where they placed fifth of 22 teams.

For the Hampton-based team, which played its home games at Francis Asbury Field, the win culminated 15 years worth of effort. At the time, the Central Atlantic Regional, which consisted of state champions from

 Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware, and metropolitan qualifiers from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and the host team, was 25 years old and Fox Hill had participated seven times as the Virginia state champion.

But through 1964, a regional tournament victory to advance had been elusive for the Fox Hillers.

At Guy Mason Field in Washington, D.C., the team got off to an auspicious start, first beating Baltimore 3-0, and followed with a 1-0 win over D.C. in Game 2, highlighted by a perfect game from ace pitcher Ron Peterson.

Although the Fox Hill team was formed in 1950 as part of a church league, it was not the beer league many recreational softball players are accustomed to joining.

“This was not like some Sunday school league,” said Peterson, who later won first-team All-American honors for his performance in the 1969 national tournament. Indeed, pitches reached speeds upward of 100 miles per hour, and as Peterson added, “runs were at a premium. We had a lot of 1-0 games.”

In fact, the third game was another 1-0 affair, this time in a victory over Philadelphia. A 2-0 loss to Baltimore followed, pinning the Fox Hill team into a must-win situation in the double-elimination event. Based on their 3-1 record, the Fox Hillers earned a berth in the championship, but faced Baltimore for a third time. Fox Hill won the rubber match and region with a 3-1 victory. In that game, Don Brandt’s two-run homer turned out to provide the margin of victory.

Peterson was named the Most Valuable Pitcher of the tournament, while Brandt won overall Most Valuable Player honors.

Looking back 50 years, first baseman Ronnie Weber reflected on Brandt’s performance as the key to victory. “Home runs were a rarity. (Brandt) had an exceptional tournament.”

Manager and team catcher Jack Hull credited Brandt’s defensive skills.

“He caught the last out at the wall. If that ball had gotten by him, it would have been a whole other story.”

Looking ahead to their first world championship, which was held in Clearwater, Fla., the Fox Hill players took advantage of another asset — their fan backing.

Hull looked back on the celebration that took place immediately after the regional final. “After the regional, the old-timers got together at the firehouse. There were so many people there that they had to push the fire trucks out (of the building).”

Recalls Peterson, “Fans would follow us everywhere we went to tournaments,” noting that as many as 4,000 to 5,000 Fox Hill fans made the trip to Clearwater. Spectators were not the only people tracking the team. As Weber remembers, “writers from the Daily Press followed us back then, at home and on the road. In the ’60s, there was a morning and afternoon edition and we’d have Ron Colbert at our games. We outdrew the local Carolina League (minor-league baseball) team.”

The team got off to a quick start in the world tournament, beating St. Thomas (Ontario) 3-0 and Lakewood (Calif.) 2-0. However, the team hit the wall when it played against seven-time world/national champion Clearwater, losing 1-0. Fox Hill was eliminated by Chattanooga (Tenn.) 3-0 in Game 4.

Despite the two losses, Fox Hill’s 2-2 mark was good enough to tie for fifth place of the 22 teams. After 1965, the final tournament was reinvented as the national championships. Fox Hill went on to win three more regional titles, but the ’65 effort remained the club’s greatest collective accomplishment on the diamond.

Hull, who previously worked as a minor-league catcher in the Cincinnati and Boston organizations, recalled the difficult time he had learning to catch softballs whizzing toward him with the speed of a Sandy Koufax fastball.

“I thought I was a pretty good catcher. But that ball would jump 12-18 inches up, down or sideways, and you never knew where it was going sometimes.”

Asked if he had ever been injured, Hull quickly emitted an “Oh yeah!” and interjected that on one occasion, a pitch caused him to require 16 stitches in his hand.

“It (fast-pitch) is a hard game to play, especially for catchers,” added Hull, who managed for 12 of his 13 years with Fox Hill.

Weber, who was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame in 1985, looked back on how the team recruited new prospects.

“We picked up a pitcher from Langley (Air Force Base) and another one from Oceana. Not all of our players were military guys, but a lot of our pitchers over the years were in the service.”

Peterson summed the experience up in one word: “Camaraderie.”

The term makes sense since the ballclub was together for 65 to 80 games throughout a season that started in early May and ended with either the regional championships on Labor Day weekend, or the world/nationals two weeks later.

“We’d play doubleheaders on Friday night, Saturday night, and usually on Wednesday night,” he said.

The friendships last until this day. Now, 50 years later, a group of players, “about 15, but a lot are non-ballplayers,” Weber said, gather every Wednesday morning at Vancostas Restaurant in Hampton to swap stories about softball, the military, or any other topic an octogenarian might find interesting.

Hull added one more recollection from his playing days — having the opportunity to play against famed pitcher Eddie Feigner, whose four-man King and His Court softball team toured the country, taking on all challengers with only a pitcher, catcher, shortstop and first baseman.

According to Hull, the reality of the King and His Court’s greatness may have become more legendary than it should have been.

“We’d go along with his shenanigans for a few innings. They were like the Globetrotters.” Asked if the King and Court were as good as they were cracked up to be, Hull was silent for a moment before answering.

“You know ...,” replied Hull, in a manner suggesting that indeed, the answer might have been no.

Fox Hill - 1965 Central Atlantic Regional champions

P – Ron Peterson, Bob Atterholt.

C – Randy Dale, Bud Porter, Jack Hull (also manager).

1B – Ronnie Weber.

2B – Jess Kersey (later an NBA official).

3B – Don Winegrad.

SS – Jim Dugan, Joey Lawrence.

OF – Don Brandt, Keith Goodson, Charlie Mayer, Herb Weaver, George Weikel.

Assistant coach – Rudy Forrest.

Virginia Crusaders Football Team to Hold Interest Meeting

The Virginia Crusaders, one of the most successful semi-pro football teams in America, will hold its annual interest meeting this Saturday, May 16th at 1:00 PM.

Because of the COVID epidemic, the meeting will take place on Zoom. As posted on social media, "all positions open - seeking coaches and players."

Since its expansion year of 2005, the Crusaders have enjoyed unparalleled success, winning multiple Mason-Dixon Conference titles, and several national championships. In 2017, Head Coach Larry Stith was honored for his efforts in a ceremony held at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

To gain access to the Zoom meeting, the meeting ID is 729 4445 4604, and password OZFPIE. More information about the team and its history can be found on the team website - www.virginiacrusaders.com.

Lionsbridge FC Aims to Play 2020 Season

Since its inception in 2017, the Lionsbridge F.C. has been a popular attraction on the Peninsula. On April 30, Kevin Joyce and Mike Vest, the club's co-owners, posted a message on its website (lionsbridgefc.com) announcing its plans and expectations for the upcoming season.

April 30, 2020

To our fans and supporters,

We are sending our best wishes to you and your families and hope everyone is safe and healthy.

We wanted to share an update about our season. First, Lionsbridge FC still plans to play in 2020 with a modified schedule as soon as it is deemed safe for everyone involved. We are fortunate to have the full support of our league (USL) and stadium partners (CNU).

However, earlier today, USL League Two announced it will not have a formal 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How will that work for us? Our new timetable is to play games in July, August and into the fall against available USL League Two, NPSL, UPSL and NCAA universities in our region. We already have tentative agreements to play Virginia Beach United, Virginia Beach City, Chowan University, Christopher Newport University and will seek additional games once restrictions are lifted. We also still plan to hold our summer camps in Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, and Gloucester.

As everyone knows, these are uncertain times. We appreciate your patience as we construct a new calendar.

While we absolutely hate to contemplate a scenario without a 2020 season, we do recognize that is possible. That would have an extremely painful effect on our small club. If we are unable to play in 2020, please be aware that season ticket holders will able to use their 2020 season ticket jerseys and wristbands for the 2021 season.

This is a tough time financially for our community and many of you. Lionsbridge FC is in the same boat. We are fully dependent on ticket sales, sponsorship and camps in order to make this club go. Without it, Lionsbridge FC could not exist. So on behalf of the players, staff and founders of the club, thank you for sticking with us through thick and thin.

 

We cannot wait to get back onto the field to represent you and this community – stronger than ever!

Until then, stay home, stay safe, be kind to each other and if you get the chance… please be sure to thank all of our essential workers who are keeping us safe. 

This Is Our Bridge! 

Kevin Joyce and Mike Vest

Co-Founders, Lionsbridge FC