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PGCPS Athletic Hall of Fame

Celebrating Decades of Excellence in Prince George Athletics
 
Prince George County Public Schools' Athletic Hall of Fame serves as a vehicle to recognize the growing list of Prince George County products who have made significant contributions in athletics within our community and beyond our borders over the years.
 
Annually, the community comes together to celebrate Prince George County Public Schools' rich history and share stories about the accomplishments of the men and women who have taken to the field, baseball mounts, courts, and more as Prince George High School Royals, capped off by an induction ceremony. 
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Background 
In 2021, the Prince George County Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame was created with a goal of recognizing the many familiar names and faces of Prince George County who plays sports for Prince George High School and donned the school's familiar green-and-gold colors. The stories of these individuals continue to be recounted through conversations in the community, all the way to the corridors of Prince George High School as trophies and other mementoes from championship runs, record-breaking feats, and major league debuts line the hallways. 
 
Following nominations, including community submissions, a committee determines the class of inductees, who are invited to a special dinner and ceremony where they are formally inducted into the Prince George County Public Schools Athletics Hall of Fame alongside family, friends, former players and classmates, and the community.
 
As of 2023, 12 individuals and three teams have been inducted into the Prince George County Public Schools Athletics Hall of Fame.
 
To learn more about our honorees, click the "More Information" below.
2023 PGCPS Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
On Saturday, March 25, 2023, Prince George County Public Schools' Athletic Hall of Fame held its second-ever induction ceremony at Prince George High School in its commons area. During this year's ceremony, six individuals and two teams were inducted into the district's hall of fame, joining a strong list of inductees honored during a ceremony in 2021.
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Photo Credit: John Messina 

Following dinner, the following individuals and teams were inducted into the Prince George County Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame:
  • West Lescanec: Received the first full scholarship to the University of Virginia as a pitcher.
  • Henry Freeman: One of the founding members of the USA Today Sports section, one of the United States' leading newspapers with nearly 160,000 average print circulation in 2022.
  • Shareese Woods-Hicks: Earned United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-America honors four times while competing for UNC Charlotte. Four-time Atlantic 10 Conference Performer of the Year.
  • Mickey Roberts: Coach of the 2018 Prince George High School state baseball championship team. Over his career, Roberts won 338 games as head baseball coach at Prince George High School. Roberts is a member of the Longwood University and United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Hall of Fame.
  • Wayne Collins: Former baseball coach instrumental in constructing the current athletic field house at the Prince George High School stadium and lifelong supporter of Prince George athletics.
  • Reverend Robert Livesay: Served as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Chaplain for Prince George High School's football and baseball programs and founding member of the Prince George County Chaplain Program.  
  • 2018 State Championship Baseball Team: After a spectacular season, the 2018 Prince George High School Royals baseball team would advance to the Virginia Class 5 state championship, facing off against the Potomac Panthers. On June 9, 2018, the Royals would hold Potomac runless through seven innings to win Prince George its first baseball state title in school history 8-0 over Potomac.
  • 2018 State Championship Softball Team: Following a solid regular season and tournament performance, the Lady Royals advanced to the championship game against Brooke Point. Consistent offense and strategic defensive play by Prince George elevated the Lady Royals to their first state softball title in school history on June 9, 2018, with an 11-4 final score.
    • The performance of both teams offered a rare first-time sweep in baseball and softball in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) championship matchups. 
2021 PGCPS Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
On Saturday, October 16, 2021, Prince George County Public Schools' Athletic Hall of Fame held its first induction ceremony at Prince George High School in its commons area. During this year's ceremony, six individuals and one team was inducted into the district's hall of fame, marking a historic moment for Prince George County Public Schools and the community as they represent the inaugural class of the newly formed PGCPS Athletic Hall of Fame.
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Photo Credit: Michael Campbell, PGCPS
 
Following dinner, the following individuals were honored as the first inductees to the Prince George Athletic Hall of Fame:

  • Hal Baird: PGHS Class of 1967. Winningest coach in Auburn University history with 634 wins as their baseball coach. Member of the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, The American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, Southeastern Conference Hall of Fame, Auburn Hall of Fame, Ferrum Hall of Fame, and the East Carolina Hall of Fame. 

  • Larry Brooks: PGHS Class of 1968. 1971 AP Little College All-American. Five-time NFL Pro-Bowler.  Two-time First Team All-Pro. Super Bowl XXXI Champion. Member of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. 

  • Johnny Oates: PGHS Class of 1964. Baltimore Orioles 1st round pick in 1967. 1996 American League Manager of the Year.  Member of the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

  • Ron Rusnak: PGHS Class of 1969. Two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference. 1972 All-American. Named ACC Football Legend in 2018. UNC Ring of Honor.

  • Dave Trickler: PGHS Class of 1961.  Led the PGHS Basketball team to the 1961 State Championship. Went on to coach the Norfolk Academy basketball team to 573 wins.  Member of the Hampden-Sydney Athletics Hall of Fame. 

  • Coach Bill Woodby: PGHS Football Coach from 1966-1975 and 1979-1980. Coached Hall of Fame members Hal Baird, Larry Brooks, and Ron Rusnak.

  • The 1961 State Championship Men’s Basketball Team: The first team in Prince George High School history to win a state championship. Jack Adams, Jim Dozier, Mike Dunford, Mike King, Gary Lafleur, Lee Linder, Jim Long, Phil Mays, Johnny Palmer, Billy Rook, John Seamen, Dave Trickler, Bill Urban, Bill Lockwood (manager), Joseph Flake (score keeper), Don Lee (assistant coach), and D. McCool (head coach).

PGCPS Athletic Hall of Fame Nominee Criteria
Nominees must exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, moral character, and carry the endorsement of their respective high school.
 
Athletes would be former student participants who are being nominated for their achievements in interscholastic athletics.  Coaches would be considered on the merits of their high school coaching achievements only.  A contributor would be an individual who has made a contribution to interscholastic athletics or activities in some capacity other than those previously mentioned, including such areas as administration, sports medicine, sports media, official, activities sponsor or participant, etc.
 
Eligibility Requirements
  • Coaches being considered must be retired, deceased, or have served 15 years within Prince George County Public Schools.
  • Athletes are eligible for selection 10 years after their high school graduation.
  • Contributors being considered must be retired, deceased, or have offered considerable contributions for at least 15 years to Prince George High School Athletics.  
 
How to Make Nominations
  • Any individual may nominate, but for the nomination to be valid, it must receive approval from the Hall of Fame Committee.
  • The nominating deadline is September 1st in the year of induction.
  • No individual may make more than one nomination per year.
  • Nominations for candidates not selected shall remain open for consideration each of the next two years but will no longer be considered thereafter unless a new nomination packet is submitted.
Click the link below to download the Official Hall of Fame Nomination Form. Return to completed forms to Prince George High School c/o "Prince George County Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame," 7801 Laurel Spring Road, Prince George, Virginia, 23875.