Five Inducted Into VIAHA’s Hall of Fame

By New Journal & Guide Staff

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA

The induction of five persons into the 2024 Virginia Interscholastic Association Heritage Association (VIAHA) Hall of Fame took place Friday evening June 21 in Charlottesville at the DoubleTree by Hilton. They joined a host of persons inducted into the VIAHA’s Hall of Fame since the ceremony began in 2016.

Accepting on behalf of the Class of 2024, New Journal and Guide Publisher Brenda H. Andrews offered thanks and appreciation from the inductees for the honour as they sat on the stage in their newly acquired blue HOF jackets.

The 2024 VIAHA Hall of Fame Class features one Athlete – James Halcot Mitchell, John Mercer Langston High School in Danville, Virginia, and four Contributors: Leo Austin Brooks, Sr., Parker Gray High School in Alexandria, Virginia; Michael L. Morse, Peabody High School in Petersburg, Virginia; Dr. Ronald L. Carey, Sr., Jackson P. Burley High School in Charlottesville, Virginia; and Brenda Hughes Andrews, Dunbar High School & E.C. Glass High School in  Lynchburg, Virginia. Inductees were selected earlier this year for the prestigious induction by the VIAHA and bring total membership in the VIAHA Hall of Fame closer to 100 inductees over the past several years.

Judge Roger L. Gregory, the first African-American Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, was the keynote speaker. Judge Gregory, a VIAHA Hall of Famer for the Class of  2019, is a member of the American Bar Association, National Bar Association and the Old Dominion Bar Association of which he is a past president. 

The VIAHA which is headquartered in Charlottesville, and is under the leadership of Mr. Jimmy Hollins. VIAHA  is preserving the heritage and legacy of African-American high school students, sports and activities under segregation. It is dedicated to recognizing the rich heritage and legacy of African-American students and adults who participated in the Virginia Interscholastic Association from 1954-70 and its predecessor organization, the Virginia Interscholastic Athletic League (VIAL). Therefore, promoting greater appreciation and understanding of the contributions of Blacks to the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia is a primary objective.

Prior to public school desegregation, one of the most influential organizations in Virginia was the Virginia Interscholastic Association (VIA), which served young African-American students who attended segregated high schools in the state. The impact this association had on shaping the lives of these students went far beyond governing athletic events. The VIA brought together students, parents and mentors to develop a strong foundation of character and ethical responsibility in the students. The notable careers of many VIA graduates are testaments to the successful efforts of their teachers, principals and counselors.

Athletes and coaches considered for nomination to the VIAHA Hall of Fame are those who excelled on VIA athletic teams. Contributors are professionals who may have excelled in VIA non-athletic activities or in such areas as school administration, media, officiating, medical services and other professions. A fourth group is best described as the Legacy category. This includes such potential nominees as VIA athletic teams that gained extraordinary distinction or coaches, athletes, contributors and/or teams from VIAL or post-VIA era history.

The VIAL/VIA’s original home was at Virginia State College (now Virginia State University) from 1954–1970. After merging with the Virginia High School League (VHSL), all VIA records are now stored at Virginia State University.

2024 Inductees

Athlete

James Halcot Mitchell

John Mercer Langston High School

Danville, Virginia

James “Big Jim” Halcot Mitchell was a standout athlete in high school football and track and field. At Virginia State College he was a four year starter on the football team and was named a Small College All-American. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions, becoming the highest pick in the history of Virginia State College.

Contributor

Leo Austin Brooks, Sr.

Parker Gray High School

Alexandria, Virginia

Leo Austin Brooks, Sr., excelled at Parker-Gray in the band and choir, in student government leadership, and in oratorical competitions. At Virginia State College, he excelled as a student, class president, and a distinguished ROTC participant.

Commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant, he rose through the ranks to retire as highly decorated General.

Contributor

Michael L. Morse

Peabody High School

Petersburg, Virginia

Michael L.Morse began training in Karate at the age of 13 and received his Shadam rank of First Degree Black Belt Karate as a student at Virginia State. He is sanctioned and recognized as a Tenth Degree Black Belt and has self-published the book titled, Karate Empty Hands – Holy Hand.

Contributor

Dr. Ronald L. Carey, Sr.

Jackson P. Burley High School

Charlottesville, Virginia

Ronald L. Carey, Sr. played high school football and attended Saint Paul’s College on scholarship where he played football and was also a member of the Track and Field Team. He made education his trademark, serving as a dedicated teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and finally Chief of Staff.

Contributor

Brenda Hughes Andrews

Dunbar High School & E.C. Glass High School

Lynchburg, Virginia

At Dunbar, Brenda participated in many of the extracurricular and co-curricular activities offered. She and three other students integrated E. C. Glass High School in Lynchburg under court order and in 1965 became the city’s first African-Americans to graduate from the desegregated Lynchburg Public School System. She is Publisher and Owner of the legacy New Journal and Guide, the historic Black weekly in Norfolk that began in 1900.