Mike Smith
Mike Smith from Lee County, VA came to the Peninsula in the mid-1960’s and built a powerhouse football program over 50+ years at Hampton High School. After serving as an assistant coach for the Crabbers from 1965-1970, Smith took over…
Heath Miller
Heath Miller, a native Virginian, starred at quarterback for Honaker High School in the early 2000’s, however it was a position change at the University of Virginia that propelled Miller to greatness. Making the switch to tight end his freshman…
Thomas Jones
During his time at Powell Valley High School, Thomas Jones, a Big Stone Gap Native, rushed for 7,793 yards, and helped lead the football program to back-to-back state championships in 1994 and 1995. Jones broke many Virginia High School League…
Frank Beamer
Frank Beamer, a Hillsville, Virginia native, graduated from Virginia Tech in 1969, where he was a three year starting cornerback for Tech’s football program. He then went on to accept coaching positions at Maryland, The Citadel, and Murray State before…
Eugene “Pappy” Thompson
Eugene “Pappy” Thompson, attended Virginia High School in Bristol, VA and started at Emory & Henry College in 1925 but left in 1928 to accept a job as a general reporter with the Bristol Herald Courier. He spent 50 years…
Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner, native of Tannersville, VA, played baseball for Ferrum College from 1991-93. He earned All-Conference, All-Region and All-America first-team honors. He closed his 3-year Ferrum career with a 17-3 record and still to this day, holds the NCAA Div.…
Robert “Bob” Miller
Bob “The Emory Express” Miller was originally from Portage, Pennsylvania, and in 1948 took his talents to play running back for the Wasps at Emory and Henry College. Even after 50 years, Miller’s name still stands on 12 football records,…
Charles “Deacon” Phillippe
Deacon Phillipe was born in Rural Retreat, Virginia on May 23, 1872. As a right-hander for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1903, he was the first World Series pitcher to win three games and the only pitcher ever to complete the…
Glenn Roberts Sr.
Glenn Roberts revolutionized the game of basketball at Emory & Henry College during the 1930’s. He is credited as the first player to use the present day jump shot, utilizing his 6’4” height and playing skills to shoot while hanging…
Robert “Bob” Kilbourne
Bob Kilbourne was born and raised in Big Stone Gap, Virginia where he graduated from Big Stone Gap High School in 1937. Immediately upon graduation, he joined the United States Army at Ft. Myers, Virginia serving in 1937 and 1938.…