2025 Steve Guback Sportsperson of the Year Award
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame’s Steve Guback Sportsperson of the year Award recognizes an athlete, coach, team, administrator and/or individual who supports athletics, and who has distinguished themselves through outstanding athletic achievement during the 2025 calendar year.
Henrico, VA – The Board of Directors of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce that the entire 2025 James Madison University football team will receive the prestigious Steve Guback Sportsperson of the Year Award during the Hall’s 2026 Induction Weekend, April 24–25, presented by the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority.
The Dukes transformed a breakthrough season into one of the most historic campaigns in Virginia sports history. In just their fourth year competing at the FBS level, James Madison surged to a 12–2 record, captured the Sun Belt Conference Championship, and earned the program’s first-ever berth in the College Football Playoff — becoming the first Sun Belt program and the first team in Virginia sports history to reach college football’s biggest stage.
“Traditionally, this award honors an outstanding individual,” said VSHF Executive Director Bruce Rader. “But the extraordinary accomplishments of the 2025 James Madison team rose above every other performance in Virginia sports this year.”
Under head coach Bob Chesney, JMU paired an explosive offense with a relentless defense and unwavering resilience. The Dukes went undefeated in conference play, delivered signature nationally televised victories, and produced multiple Sun Belt award winners — a testament to the depth, discipline, and unity of a complete team effort.
Beyond the championships and milestones, the 2025 Dukes galvanized a statewide fan base, elevated the national profile of Virginia football, and embodied the highest ideals of teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. For a season that inspired the Commonwealth and redefined what is possible, the entire 2025 James Madison football team stands as a deserving recipient of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Sportsperson of the Year Award.
The Sportsperson of the Year Award is named in honor of 2005 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Steve Guback, who spent over 70 years in sports journalism.
More information about the award, and the 2026 Induction ceremony, can be found on the Hall’s website: https://vasportshof.com/2026-induction-weekend-event-info/
Past Recipients
About Steve Guback, Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2005
Steve Guback spent 75 years covering sports on the local, regional, and national levels for publications in Virginia and Washington D.C. Writing primarily for the Richmond Times Dispatch, and Washington Star, Guback was named Virginia/District of Columbia Sportswriter three times, and served on the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. A 1989 inductee into the U.S. Basketball Writers Hall of Fame, Guback served as director of information for President Ronald Reagan’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Guback passed away in 2018 at the age of 91.
Learn more about Guback: https://vasportshof.com/inductee/steve-guback/