THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 3, 1995 TAG: 9511010191
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
THE VIRGINIA SPORTS HALL of Fame will sponsor a luncheon honoring J. Herbert Simpson Dec. 8.
The program will be held at the Ambassador Club and will begin with a social hour at 11:30 a.m.
Simpson retired as executive director of the Sports Hall of Fame July 31. He had served in that position since the hall was founded in 1971.
``Over the past 60 years, Simpson has been associated with many organizations,'' said Eddie Webb, who succeeded him as executive director.
``We are recognizing his long service to our organization, along with representatives of other civic and government groups. Mayor Gloria Webb will participate in the program.''
The 80-year-old Simpson, a Portsmouth native who has lived here for his entire life, was the city's Director of Communications and Emergency Services until he retired in 1985.
Twice he was chosen Sportsman of the Year by the Portsmouth Sports Club - the first to be picked in 1947 and the only person selected twice when he was the 1980 recipient of the award.
He was instrumental in the start of Little League baseball in the Portsmouth area and coached numerous youth teams. He also played fast pitch softball for many years at Wythe Street field.
Simpson was named to the Tidewater Softball Hall of Fame in 1986.
For many years, he served as secretary-treasurer of the Norfolk Tides.
Simpson was honored as Portsmouth's First Citizen in 1986.
Tickets to the luncheon can be obtained for $20 by contacting Webb at the Sports Hall of Fame, 393-8031. ILLUSTRATION: J. Herbert Simpson
by CNB