THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 1996 TAG: 9602070542
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Bob Lane, whose devotion to Hampton Roads children has made partners of local businesses, hospitals and the National Football League, was presented the Tom Fergusson Award Tuesday night as the Norfolk Sports Club's Sportsman of the Year.
Lane, 52, instituted the Sports Superkids program four years ago. He takes terminally ill children and their parents to Washington Redskins home games, then into the locker room to meet the players and coaches. This past Christmas Eve, Lane escorted 55 youngsters and their parents to RFK Stadium for the Redskins' season-finale against the Carolina Panthers.
``My ultimate goal,'' he told The Virginian-Pilot last August, ``is to fund enough money to be able to go up on Friday, set up a dinner with a player, then do the Smithsonian thing on Saturday, and then the game on Sunday before coming home.''
Lane has done everything from selling doughnuts to participating in one-on-one basketball games to raise money for his project. He also has been successful at soliciting major donations from local businesses like Great Atlantic Travel and R.K. Chevrolet.
Lane's program has grown to the point where the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters helps him find children to take to games. Recently, he said he hopes to expand his efforts to include trips to see the NBA Washington Bullets, NHL Washington Capitals and baseball's Baltimore Orioles.
``Here's a man who's dedicated his entire life to others,'' said Pete Marx, chairman of the selection committee. ``He's helped leukemia, cancer, burn victims. Bob has done this all over Hampton Roads. (The committee) felt it was time to give this award to people who really earn it, not guys who are paid to do what they do.''
Lane, a 1962 graduate of Maury High School, has been further involved in community service as coach of girls softball and the league director for boys basketball at Plaza Rec Center. He was head basketball coach at Plaza Rec Center and been involved with Lynnhaven boys baseball. He also has served as assistant chairman and fund-raiser for the Joy Fund Charity Bowl.
Lane served in the Air Force for four years before going to work for the federal government, then part-time for Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation as a referee.
Lane was nominated for the Fergusson Award by Marx, inspired by a story on Lane he read in The Virginian-Pilot. A Sports Club committee of past presidents met in November, reviewed the nominees and voted.
``When I saw the article in August, I knew who I was going to nominate,'' Marx said. ``The committee thought that way, too. We feel good about it. Here's somebody who's putting something back into the community. When you say `Man of the Year' in sports, that's meaningful. Bob's whole life has been meaningful.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN/Staff
Bob Lane, who instituted the Sports Superkids program four years
ago, was presented the Tom Fergusson Award.
by CNB