Ex-U.Va. star Staley among 7 picked for Va. hall of fame

PORTSMOUTH

Dawn Staley, one of the most decorated and accomplished players in the history of women's basketball, is among seven people who have been selected to the Class of 2008 for the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

In addition to Staley, the new class includes former University of Richmond and NFL standout John Hilton; Ricky Hunley, a 1997 College Football Hall of Fame inductee; Betty Jaynes, 2000 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductee; former Longwood University and NBA star Jerome Kersey; Kelli James Precourt, a field hockey Olympian from Old Dominion; and Bob Rathbun, the TV voice of the Atlanta Hawks.

The 37th annual induction ceremony is April 26 at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center. Tickets go on sale Jan. 15.

Staley, of Philadelphia, came to the University of Virginia in 1989. By the time she left, she had been the ACC Rookie of the Year, a Kodak All-American three times and twice the national Player of the Year. She led the Cavaliers to three Final Four appearances.

Staley has earned 10 gold medals and one bronze in international competition, including Olympic golds in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Games. She began play in the WNBA in 1999, made five All-Star Game appearances and was named to the league's All-Decade team. She has coached Temple University's team since 2000 and was the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2005.

Hilton was a three-sport star at Hermitage High in Richmond and then played at the University of Richmond. Hilton followed with a nine-year NFL playing career. As a Pittsburgh Steeler, he set a season record for receptions by a tight end (46) that stood for 25 years. Hilton spent seven years as an NFL special teams and receivers coach with Chicago, Washington and Green Bay.

Hunley grew up in Petersburg, then attended the University of Arizona, where he was a two-time All-American linebacker. In 1983, he was the Pac-10 Player of the Year and in 1997 was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Hunley played in the NFL for seven seasons and was a starter for the Denver Broncos in Super Bowls XXI and XXII. He is the linebackers' coach of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jaynes, a native of Covington, Ga., came to Madison College (now JMU) in 1968 to teach physical education. She served as women's basketball coach from 1970-82, amassing a 142-114 record.

Jaynes founded the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, where she was both executive director and CEO over her 19-year tenure. In addition to being in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, she's also in the National Association of Collegiate Directors and Georgia Sports halls of fame.

Kersey, raised in Clarksville, was a record-setting forward and two-time Division II All-American at Longwood College. In 1984, Kersey was a second-round draft pick of the Portland Trail Blazers. He spent 11 years with the team, finishing second in Blazers history in games (831) and rebounds (5,078), third in blocked shots (621) and steals (1,059), and fourth in points (10,067).

Kersey retired after an additional six years in the NBA.

Precourt of Medford, N.J., was a field hockey sensation at Old Dominion. Playing striker, she led ODU to three NCAA national championships (1988, '90, '92). She was a two-time All-American and was also given the Honda-Broderick Award in 1992, which honors the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

That year, Precourt led the nation in scoring with 131 points and 59 assists. She played for the national field hockey squad, appearing in the 1996 Olympics, two World Cups and three Pan-American Games.

Rathbun, this year's media inductee, was born in Rhode Island and graduated from Catawba College in 1976. Rathbun has done play-by-play for a number of teams, including the Tidewater Tides from 1980-85 and 1990-91. He is in his 12th season as the play-by-play voice of the Atlanta Hawks on FSN South and also announces college games on FSN and the ACC/Raycom network.

He is the winner of five Emmys and six Virginia Sportscaster of the Year awards.

Established in 1972, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum honors the state's contributions to the world of sports.