August 4, 2021
Prince George County Public Schools recently completed its selection of the individuals who will serve as the inaugural class of the Prince George County Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame. This newly formed hall of fame highlights the growing list of Prince George County products who have made significant contributions in the areas of athletics within our community and beyond over the years.
This year’s class features icons of Prince George County whose names and accomplishments while wearing Prince George High School’s iconic green-and-gold colors continue to be shared years after they took their last step on a PGHS athletic field. This year’s class is as follows:
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Hal Baird: PGHS Class of 1967. Winningest coach in Auburn University history with 634 wins as their baseball coach. Member of the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, The American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, Southeastern Conference Hall of Fame, Auburn Hall of Fame, Ferrum Hall of Fame, and the East Carolina Hall of Fame.
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Larry Brooks: PGHS Class of 1968. 1971 AP Little College All-American. Five-time NFL Pro-Bowler. Two-time First Team All-Pro. Super Bowl XXXI Champion. Member of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
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Johnny Oates: PGHS Class of 1964. Baltimore Orioles 1st round pick in 1967. 1996 American League Manager of the Year. Member of the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
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Ron Rusnak: PGHS Class of 1969. Two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference. 1972 All-American. Named ACC Football Legend in 2018. UNC Ring of Honor.
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Dave Trickler: PGHS Class of 1961. Led the PGHS Basketball team to the 1961 State Championship. Went on to coach the Norfolk Academy basketball team to 573 wins. Member of the Hampden-Sydney Athletics Hall of Fame.
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Coach Bill Woodby: PGHS Football Coach from 1966-1975 and 1979-1980. Coached Hall of Fame members Hal Baird, Larry Brooks, and Ron Rusnak.
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The 1961 State Championship Men’s Basketball Team: The first team in Prince George High School history to win a state championship. Jack Adams, Jim Dozier, Mike Dunford, Mike King, Gary Lafleur, Lee Linder, Jim Long, Phil Mays, Johnny Palmer, Billy Rook, John Seamen, Dave Trickler, Bill Urban, Bill Lockwood (manager), Joseph Flake (score keeper), Don Lee (assistant coach), and D. McCool (head coach). If anyone has a connection to any member of this team, please email [email protected] to help us contact the players or one of their family members.
These representatives of our community will be forever enshrined in the Prince George County Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame during a special ceremony on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Prince George High School in the Commons area, located at 7801 Laurel Spring Road. The evening will begin with a social from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by dinner and an induction ceremony.
Tickets for this event are $35 per person and tables will be set up for either four or eight-person parties. Guests can attend as an individual or group. A form to purchase tickets is available on the school division’s website and on Prince George High School’s athletics webpage. Checks can be made payable to Prince George High School with Hall of Fame noted in the memo, to: Prince George High School, Attn. Jessie Carmichael, 7801 Laurel Spring Road, Prince George, Virginia 23875.
Supporters are also encouraged to attend the home varsity football game on Friday, October 15, 2021 at 7 p.m. at the Prince George High School Athletic Field. This year’s inaugural inductees will be recognized at halftime. Tickets can be purchased online via GoFan at http://gofan.co/app/school/VA7836.