THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 3, 1996 TAG: 9605030678
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
Six athletic pioneers will be inducted in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame tonight at the Downtown Portsmouth Holiday Inn.
Lanny Wadkins has played in eight Ryder Cups, more than any other golfer.
Ralph Sampson was the nation's last three-time national player of the year.
Ralph Cummins remains Virginia's all-time winningest high school football coach nine years after his retirement.
Anne Donovan last year became just the second woman inducted in the basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
Dr. Caroline Sinclair developed strong women's athletic programs at William and Mary and James Madison nearly two decades before most of the nation began devoting resources to the cause.
George Lacy was one of the most versatile athletes of his day, a star in baseball, basketball and football at the University of Richmond.
Five of the six - Lacy is deceased - will be on hand for tonight's banquet, which begins at 6.
Wadkins, the 1977 PGA champion and winner of 20 other tournaments during his career, grew up in Richmond. He was an All-American at Wake Forest and in 1970 won the Southern, Western and Eastern amateurs before capturing the U.S. Amateur.
Sampson was the most highly recruited player in the nation his senior year in Harrisonburg. The Cavaliers won 112 of 135 games with Sampson and placed in the Associated Press Top 20 for 48 consecutive weeks.
Donovan, now coach at East Carolina, started 136 games for the Lady Monarchs between 1980-83. As a sophomore, she scored 50 points against Norfolk State - still an ODU and state record.
Sinclair attended William and Mary in 1921 intending to earn her degree in English. But when the school established a major in physical education, she became the first to graduate with that degree. She served as athletic director at her alma mater from 1944-50 and at James Madison from 1950-66.
Cummins won three state football championships at Clintwood High School. Lacy led the University of Richmond basketball team to a 20-0 record in 1934-35, the only undefeated season in school history. MEMO: AT A GLANCE
What: Virginia Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet
When: Tonight, 6 p.m.
Where: Downtown Portsmouth Holiday Inn
Inductees: Lanny Wadkins, Ralph Sampson, Anne Donovan, Dr. Carolina
Sinclair, Ralph Cummins, George Lacy (deceased)
Tickets: Available through the Hall by calling 393-8031 ($30 each) or
at the door ($35 each)
VIRGINIA SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
LANNY WADKINS, golf: A native of Richmond. Has 21 PGA Tour
victories, including the 1977 PGA, the '79 World Series of Golf and the
'79 Tournament Players Championship. Participated in a record eight
Ryder Cups and was U.S. captain in '95. Career earnings exceed $6
million, 12th all-time. PGA player of the year in '85, one of two
seasons in which he won three tournaments.
RALPH SAMPSON, basketball: A native of Harrisonburg. Three-time
college basketball player of the year at the University of Virginia.
Led the Cavaliers to the '80 NIT title, three NCAA tournament berths
and the '81 Final Four. Holds U.Va. career records for rebounding, field
goals and blocked shots and is fourth in scoring. Was No. 1 draft pick
of the Houston Rockets, where he was NBA rookie of the year. Helped lead
the Rockets to the NBA Finals in '86.
ANNE DONOVAN, basketball: Was inducted into the Basketball Hall of
Fame last year, joining a class that included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Is
Old Dominion's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. Holds NCAA record
for career blocked shots with 801. Won the '83 Naismith Trophy as
women's player of the year. Helped ODU to the '80 AIAW national title
and to the '83 NCAA Final Four. Played a leading role on three U.S.
Olympic basketball teams, two of which won gold medals. Currently head
coach at East Carolina.
RALPH CUMMINS, high school football: Left Clintwood High School in
'87 as the winningest high school football coach in Virginia history. In
35 seasons, his teams had a record of 267-90-14, won three state, five
regional and 12 district titles. Coached three unbeaten, untied teams
and squads that were unbeaten but tied. From '73-79, his teams were
unbeaten in 64 consecutive regular-season games, the state's
third-longest streak. His teams won 26 district sportsmanship awards.
DR. CAROLINE SINCLAIR, women's sports: A native of Gloucester. Built
outstanding women's sports programs at William and Mary and James
Madison long before there was a movement to fund women's college
athletics. Served as women's athletic director and chairman of physical
education at both schools. Introduced fencing at the collegiate level in
Virginia. The first person to graduate from William and Mary with a
degree in physical education. Honored numerous times by national
organizations for her research and writings on physical education and
recreation.
GEORGE LACY, college athletics (deceased): A native of Richmond.
Lettered in football, basketball and baseball for three seasons at the
University of Richmond. Captained the football and basketball teams his
senior year (1935-36). As a junior, led the Spiders to their only
unbeaten basketball season (20-0). In baseball, he never batted below
.400. Played in the Boston Red Sox organization.
ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Lanny Wadkins
Anne Donovan
Ralph Sampson
by CNB