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2012 SESSION

12103690D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 8
Offered January 16, 2012
Commending the 2012 inductees into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
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Patrons-- Joannou, Cole, Howell, W.J. and James
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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 Virginia’s 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 its Class of 2012 inductees as follows:

The Class of 2012

ANTONIO FREEMAN

Antonio Freeman is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and a graduate of Virginia Tech. He was selected in the 3rd round of the 1995 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers and was a member of the 1996 Green Bay Packers Super Bowl team. His professional career totals include 477 receptions, 7,251 yards receiving, 1,007 yards returning kickoffs and punts, and 61 touchdowns.

GERALD HENDERSON

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Gerald Henderson is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. He was a 3rd round draft choice of the San Antonio Spurs in the 1978 NBA draft. His 13-season career included three NBA championships: two with the Boston Celtics and one with the Detroit Pistons. He played in 871 NBA games, with career statistics of 7,773 points, 1,453 rebounds, and 3,141 assists.

RAY HENDRICK

A native of Richmond, Virginia, known as “Mr. Modified” during his more than 30-year career in motorsports, Ray Hendrick had over 700 wins. In 1998 Ray Hendrick was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers and named one of NASCAR’s Modified All-Time Top 10 in 2003. He is first on the all-time winners list at Martinsville Speedway, with 20 wins between 1963 and 1975.

JESS KERSEY

A native of Newport News, Virginia, Jess Kersey devoted 36 years to officiating professional basketball. His 31-year career with the National Basketball Association includes 2,200 NBA games, 5 NBA All-Star games, 190 NBA Playoff games, and 19 NBA World Championship Finals.

AL PEARCE

Al Pearce spent more than 35 years covering sports in Newport News. He won eight Virginia Press Association awards as a reporter for the Daily Press and received the Henry McLemore Award in 2003, when he was also inducted into the Media Wing of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame at Talladega, Alabama.

DEBBIE RYAN

Debbie Ryan spent 34 years as the Women’s Basketball Head Coach for the University of Virginia. Her teams compiled an overall record of 739 - 324. She was honored as the Naismith National Coach of the Year in 1991 and earned ACC Coach of the Year honors seven times. She was also inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

BILLY WAGNER

Billy Wagner, a native of Tannersville, Virginia, played baseball for Ferrum College from 1991 to 1993. He was a 1993 1st round draft choice of the Houston Astros. His 18-year major league career included seven All-Star Game appearances. He had 422 career saves, ranking him second all time among left-handers and fifth overall in the history of the game; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Antonio Freeman, Gerald Henderson, Ray Hendrick, Jess Kersey, Al Pearce, Debbie Ryan, and Billy Wagner be commended as the 2012 inductees into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and its 2012 inductees as an expression of the House of Delegate’s congratulations and admiration for the inductees’ many contributions to the world of sports.