Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Virginian Award
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Foundation’s Board of Directors presents the Distinguished Virginian Award to an individual with a sports background who is a distinguished citizen of the Commonwealth based on outstanding life accomplishment. Each awardee, by personal example, exemplifies the best ideals and purposes of sport exhibiting superior leadership qualities in education, athletics, business or in the community.
2023 Recipient
From Lynchburg, VA, Joe Montgomery was a standout center along the offensive and defensive lines for Brookville High School before committing to play football for Lou Holtz at William & Mary in the early 1970’s. His success on the field continued as a key member of Tribe football teams from 1970-1973. A two-time first-team All-Southern Conference selection and Jacobs Blocking Trophy runner-up, he culminated his collegiate career serving as the team’s co-captain for the 1973 season, earning All-American recognition from both The Football News and the Associated Press. After a preseason with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1974 and time with Charlotte of the World Football League in 1975, the 1985 William & Mary Athletics Hall of Fame inductee has continued that success well beyond his playing days. He carried his competitive drive to the investment field where he has held a top national financial advisor ranking for over 4 decades as selected by Barron’s, Forbes, and Financial Times. He was inducted as a founding member of Barron’s Hall of Fame. His commitment to his alma mater and greater community has seen him appointed to the William & Mary Board of Visitors, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Virginia Retirement System Board of Trustees among others. In 2017 Montgomery was honored by the Rimington Trophy as the Gerald R. Ford Legends Award recipient. The award is presented to a former collegiate or professional center that, in addition to a standout football career, has also made significant contributions to the football and/or business communities, or through philanthropic endeavors. For his successes both on and off the field, Joe Montgomery is the 2023 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Virginian Award recipient.
Montgomery will be honored along with the rest of the Class of 2023, as part of 2023 Induction Weekend, April 21-22 in Virginia Beach. More information on events and support can be found at the link provided: https://vasportshof.com/2023-induction-weekend/
Past Recipients
2009, E. Claiborne Robins, Jr.
2011, G. Robert Aston, Jr.
2012, Elmon T. Gray
2013, Dr. Frank C. McCue, III
2020, Dennis Ellmer
