Virginia HOF’s 50th class will have a Charlottesville/UVA flavor

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Posted on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, 6:30 pm

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Courtesy Virginia Sports Hall of Fame

Gridiron legends. National champions. Industry icons. Olympic gold medalist. World Series Champion. These are just some of the titles that  have been used to describe the members of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 and Distinguished Virginian Award recipient. The class, as selected by the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors and Honors Court Committee, features athletes, coaches, and contributors that have enjoyed success at all levels of sport.

  • DeAngelo Hall, out of Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake, VA became a 1st team All-American at defensive back for Virginia Tech Football in the early 2000s. Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the 8th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2004 NFL Draft, Hall would go on to play 14 NFL seasons with Atlanta, the Oakland Raiders, and the Washington Commanders franchises. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Hall would record 43 interceptions, force 11 fumbles, and score 10 defensive touchdowns over the course of his career. He has previously been inducted into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame and has been recognized as one of the Commanders 90 Greatest Players of All-Time. 
  • Jimmye Laycock, originally from Hamilton, VA in Loudoun County, attended Loudoun Valley High School earning 12 varsity letters, before heading to the William & Mary where he would quarterback the Tribe football team in the late 1960’s. Following a decade as an assistant coach, Laycock returned to Williamsburg in 1980, and would lead the football program for the next 39 seasons, amassing 249 wins, 7 conference championships, and 10 NCAA FCS playoff appearances. Laycock has previously been inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame.
  • Francena McCorory, out of Hampton, VA and Bethel High School, starred on the indoor and outdoor tracks, where she set numerous VHSL indoor and outdoor track and field records. Running for her hometown Hampton University Pirates, McCorory would win three NCAA Championships in the 400-meter dash, and be named a four time NCAA All-American. Following college her success continued on the international level where she would represent her country in  the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympic Games, bringing home the gold both years as a member of the 4×400 meter relay teams.  
  • Shawn Moore, a Martinsville, VA native attended Martinsville High School before committing to play football collegiately for the University of Virginia. During his three seasons under center for the Cavaliers, Moore would rewrite the offensive record books. Moore finished his career in 1990 holding 41 school,  ACC, and NCAA individual records. His 83 total touchdowns still stands as a school record to this day. The 1990 ACC Player of the Year, led the Cavaliers program to its first ever national No. 1 ranking, and finished fourth in the Heisman voting in 1990. Moore’s career statistics include 6,629 passing yards and 55 touchdowns, and 1,268 rushing yards to go along with 28 touchdowns. 
  • Jerry Ratcliffe has been a media fixture covering sports in Central Virginia, with a focus on UVA athletics. Over four decades at the Daily Progress, Ratcliffe was selected as Virginia Sportswriter of the Year four times, and received numerous other recognitions from the Associated Press Sports Editors Association, the Virginia Press Association, the Football Writers of America, and the United States Basketball Writers of America. Ratcliffe has also been recognized for his golf coverage with the prestigious Earle Hellen Sports Media Award by the Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA of America. Since 2018, he has managed and provided content on UVA Athletics through his website, JerryRatcliffe.com.
  • Bob Rotanz came to Roanoke College in the mid 70’s and immediately enhanced the Maroons’ rich lacrosse tradition. A three time All-American during his time at Roanoke, Rotanz is one of just two players in school history to earn National Player of the Year honors, doing so in 1978. In the same year, Rotanz also took home National Defensive Player of the Year, and helped lead Roanoke College to  the NCAA Championship, by scoring the winning goal in the title game. Rotanz is also a 2022 recipient of the Roanoke College medal, the highest honor awarded by the institution.
  • Sheila Trice-Myers, from Louisa County High School in Mineral, VA would rewrite the Christopher Newport University and NCAA record books. During her four years on the Peninsula, Trice would become one of the most decorated athletes in NCAA Track and Field history, finishing her career with 32 All American honors and 15 national championships. Her first national title came in 1987 as part of CNU’s winning 4×100m relay team. From that point on, Trice would set the track on fire, winning four more national titles in 1988, six in 1989, and four in 1990. She remains the NCAA Division III record holder in the 55-meter indoor hurdles.
  • Ryan Zimmerman, from Virginia Beach, found success at all levels of baseball. The University of Virginia Baseball Hall of Fame inductee ranks in the top 10 in multiple offensive categories in Cavaliers history. A 2005 All-ACC and All American selection, Zimmerman became the first draft pick in Washington Nationals history when the franchise selected him 4th overall in the 2005 MLB entry draft. Over the next 16 seasons, Zimmerman would compile a career that  would see him retire as the franchise leader in hits (1,846), home runs (284), RBI (1,061), and games played (1,799). Nicknamed “Mr. National”, the two-time National League All-Star would help lead the Nationals to their first World Series title in 2019, and his no. 11 jersey has been retired by the club.

Additionally, the Hall of Fame will present William & Mary football legend Joe Montgomery with the Hall of Fame’s Distinguished Virginian Award. The award is presented to an individual who, by personal example, exemplifies the best ideals and purposes of sport exhibiting superior leadership qualities in education, athletics, business, and in the community.

  • Joe Montgomery, from Brookville High School in Lynchburg, VA, was a standout center for William & Mary football in the 1970’s. The 1973 All American, and 1985 William & Mary Athletics Hall of Fame inductee has experienced success both on and off the field. His commitment to his alma mater and greater community has seen him appointed to the William & Mary Board of Visitors, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Virginia Retirement System Board of Trustees among others. In 2017 Montgomery was honored by the Rimington Trophy as the Gerald R. Ford Legends Award recipient. The award is presented to a former collegiate or professional center that, in addition to a standout football career, has also made significant contributions to the football and/or business communities, or through philanthropic endeavors. 

The Hall of Fame resumed normal voting procedures this year after voting on a modified Class of 2022, which joined the Class of 2020 in being inducted this past April. This year’s vote was the first full vote since 2019. 

“What excites me most about this class is how it truly represents all of Virginia,” says Will Driscoll, Executive Director of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. “You have the Hampton Roads, Central, Northern, Southwest, and Southside regions all with representation among this year’s honorees. It truly is a class worthy of our 50th Induction events.” 

2023 Induction events will include a Sponsor Welcome Reception on Friday, April 21, Breakfast with Champions the morning of Saturday, April 22, and the VIP Reception & Induction Ceremony later that evening.