APPRENTICE ATHLETICS TO START HALL OF FAME
It is with great pleasure to announce the addition of our new Athletics Hall of Fame to The Apprentice School Athletic Department. This fall, the inaugural class of The Apprentice School Athletic Hall of Fame will be inducted during a special ceremony on Friday, September 27th.
Members were considered for induction based on their overall contribution to Builder athletics during their time at ASchool. For future consideration, there are three distinct groups within our Hall of Fame - the Legacy Inductees (1919-1989), Builder Inductees (1990-Current) and Champion Inductees (Championship Teams). This will become an annual event where former apprentice-athletes, coaches and special contributors to Builder Athletics will be inducted.
Director of Athletics, Michael W. Allen states, "As we've reached our Centennial here in 2019, it is only fitting that we reflect back on the past 100 years and celebrate our rich history and tradition of fielding competitive collegiate athletics. It was a surprise to me when I was hired two years ago, that The Apprentice School did not already have an Athletics Hall of Fame. Thus, with the 2019-20 sports season marking our 100 year anniversary, it was the perfect timing for us to officially launch our Athletics Hall of Fame."
Without further ado, we would like to congratulate the following individuals and teams for being a part of our Inaugural Hall of Fame Class.
LEGACY INDUCTEES
Coaches
● Pop Lamkin - Lamkin was a legendary coach over his 41 years with the Shipyard. Lamkin coached basketball, baseball, football and track. In an article from September of 2000, Bill Lamkin (Pop's son) shares that coaching wasn't his dad's job, it was something that he just did. Pop Lamkin influenced Builder athletics in many great ways and we can't thank him and his family enough for their commitment to the mission of the Apprentice School.
● Frank Dobson - Dobson was a football coach for the Builders from 1940 to 1948. He compiled a record of 25-26-3. Prior to coming to ASchool, he served as Head Football coach at University of Georgia, Clemson University, University of Richmond, University of South Carolina and University of Maryland. Compiled a career record of 137-142-24.
● Elroy Kersey - Kersey entered the Apprentice School in 1948 and excelled in track and football. In 1956 he began coaching track as an assistant to Pop Lampkin. He became the head coach in 1960 and remained the coach until 1992. The sport was dropped by the school in 1993. His best season came in 1967 when he led the Builders to an 8-0 dual meet record. 5 Builders earned medals at the Colonial Relays at William and Mary that season.
● Doug Burroughs – Burroughs coached the Builders Baseball team for 15 years and compiled 273 total wins. He was instrumental in laying the championship foundation that we have become accustomed to in recent years.
● Norm Snead – Snead served as Head Football coach for 10 seasons during two different stints. He of course is well known for his 16-year playing career in the NFL. As the Builders head coach, he had a record of 49-41-2.
- Jimmy Wilson – Wilson served as the 25th Head Football Coach. Wilson was a 1964 graduate of The Apprentice School and rose to the status of Director of Trades Administration before retiring from Newport News Shipbuilding in 2000.
Athletes
● Bob Lincoln - Lincoln played baseball and basketball at The Apprentice School and Randolph Macon College. In 1956 he helped the Yellow Jackets win the Mason Dixon Conference Championship. He broke the record for career doubles while at RMC. After his time at RMC, Lincoln went to Duke and went on to be a very successful surgeon.
● Willie Brown - Brown is known as the first African American basketball athlete in the history of The Apprentice School. Brown played basketball, football and ran track for the Builders. Brown once recorded 19 rebounds in one game, an astonishing number. Brown was also named the 1965 Apprentice Athlete of the Year, the first African American athlete to win the award.
● Pat Phillips - Phillips is a 1954 graduate of The Apprentice School and can be considered as the most distinguished Apprentice School alum. Phillips played football during his time with the school and eventually rose to the ranks of President of Newport News Shipbuilding.
● Bob Beard - Beard is a 1949 graduate of the Apprentice School. During his time as an apprentice he played for fellow Hall of Fame inductee, Frank Dobson. Beard lettered in Football, Basketball, and Track and was a Gold Athletic Award Winner. Beard's information can be seen in front of the trophy case in The Apprentice School.
BUILDER INDUCTEES
Coaches
● Karen Barefoot – Started the Women's Basketball program here at The Apprentice School. She was the first Women's Basketball coach in school history and instrumental in the development of Women's Basketball over her six year career. Barefoot coached the Lady Builders to a National Championship in 2000-01 and had a career winning percentage of .715. She has gone on to a very successful NCAA Division 1 Coaching career.
● Glenn Heath – Longtime Head Golf Coach for the Builders. Over his 32 year career, he was very instrumental in laying a quality foundation of bringing in productive apprentice-athletes. His teams always performed well and displayed great sportsmanship.
● Phil Janaro – Janaro served as the Head Football coach for nine seasons (1985-87 & 2002-07). His teams compiled an overall record of 41-46 (.471%) and they were known for their disciplined play and being well prepared to compete against bigger, more skilled opponents. In 1987, he led the Builders to an 8-2 record and in 2006, the Builders finished 7-3.
Athletes
● Brian Darden - Darden played Basketball, Football and ran Track for the Builders from 1989-1991. Darden excelled in all three sports as he holds the record in the 400 m dash, posted the #2 career scoring average in Basketball and the #1 average yards per catch in football.
● Jermaine Bellamy - Bellamy excelled as a football player for the Builders from 1993-1995. Bellamy is the leader in career rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and rushing yards per game. Bellamy was a 2 time coach's award winner during his time as a Builder.
● Sinque Holmes - Holmes was a wrestler and a football player for the Builders from 1997-2002. He is currently third in career wrestling winning percentage at 82.35%. Holmes boasts a career record of 56-12. In football, Holmes ranks third all-time in career rushing yards with 2,289.
● Taffey Thomas - Thomas played Women's Basketball for the Lady Builders from 1995 to 1999. Thomas has left her mark on many career records. She is currently the all-time leading scorer with 1,829 career points and she is 5th all-time in rebounds with 722. She was named a 1st team All American for the 1989-90 season.
● BJ Maben - Maben was an Apprentice golfer from 2004-08. Maben holds the 2nd best scoring average in school history at 76.65. He finished his career with 22 top 5 finishes. In 2004-05, Maben finished 2nd at the USCAA National Championship and earned All-American Honors that season. Maben is currently the assistant golf coach for the Builders.
● Charles Holiday – Standout Men's Basketball player where he was a 3-time USCAA All-American, member of the 2002 & 2003 USCAA National Championship teams, and finished as ASchool's Career All-Time Leading Scorer with 1,785 points and 162 career made three-point baskets.
CHAMPION INDUCTEES
● 1920 Football Team - First undefeated team with a record of 11-0-1. The team only gave up 31 points the entire season.
● 1937 Men's Basketball Team - Champions of the Amateur Athletic Union State Tournament and Virginia representatives in the National AAU Tournament.
More information to follow pertaining to Hall of Fame Weekend and ticket purchases for the Induction