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Hampton Roads Sports Commission Honors Local College Football and Basketball Athletes at April 17 Awards Dinner
Hampton Roads Sports Commission Honors Local College Football and Basketball Athletes at April 17 Awards Dinner

The Hampton Roads Sports Commission (HRSC) hosted itsCelebration of College Athletics Awards Dinner on April 17 to recognize and celebrate the local football and basketball programs of the Apprentice School, Christopher Newport University, College of William and Mary, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University and Virginia Wesleyan College.

Guests enjoyed a cocktail VIP reception followed by dinner and the awards program.  During the dinner, the Hampton Roads Sports Commission Player of the Year Awards, presented by Vandeventer Black LLP, were given to the top offensive and defensive players within the region in college football, men’s college basketball and women’s college basketball.  The six winners are:

Football Offensive Player of the Year - Taylor Heinicke, Quarterback, Old Dominion University                     

Football Defensive Player of the Year - Evan Moog, Linebacker, Christopher Newport University

Men’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Year - Pendarvis Williams, Guard, Norfolk State University                                   

Men’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Year - Terrence Palmer, Guard, Apprentice School

Women’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Year - Keiara Avant, Forward, Hampton University                                       

Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Year - Janine Aldridge, Guard, College of William & Mary

Each football and basketball program nominated a student athlete for each category.  A selection committee, consisting of local sports experts familiar with the school programs, selected the top offensive and defensive players from the nominees. 

After receiving the defensive football award, Evan Moog said, “This means a lot to me.  I really want to give the credit to the coaches and teammates that I’ve played with.  This is a team effort.”  Moog will be a senior next season, and explained that his goal is to be more of a team leader and for the team to experience even greater success.

(from left) John Wilson, Chair, Hampton Roads Sports Commission; Janine Aldridge; and Jack AnkersonDuring the dinner, Jim Ducibella served as keynote speaker.  In August 1981, Jim was offered a job at The Virginian-Pilot covering ODU men’s and women’sbasketball and college football and golf. After three years with The Virginian-Pilot, Jim made a move over to University of Virginia football and basketball and ACC.  During his career, Jim was voted Virginia sportswriter of the year seven times by his peers in the state. In 2010, Jim was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.  Author of two books, including King of Clubs: The Great Golf Marathon of 1938, which was named 2012 book of the year by the International Network of Golf.

Local sports icon Jack Ankerson, who is the former Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Sports Commission, served as the event's emcee.  Thanks to event sponsors:  Vandeventer Black LLC (Players of the Year); Old Dominion University (Gold); Apprentice School and City of Newport News (Silver).

The Hampton Roads Sports Commission (HRSC) was formed in 1999 as a private/public partnership among the municipalities of Hampton Roads and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. The Sports Commission's primary function is to attract major amateur athletic events to the area to emphasize regional collaboration. The HRSC promotes Hampton Roads while enhancing the economy and quality of life of its residents by creating and recruiting local and national amateur, military and youth sporting events, while providing unparalleled customer service.  Visit www.HamptonRoadsSports.org.

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