Tech's Freeman, U.Va.'s Ryan head Hall's 2012 class

PORTSMOUTH

Former Virginia Tech wide receiver Antonio Freeman and former University of Virginia women's basketball coach Debbie Ryan lead the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2012 announced Monday.

Freeman, a member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, ranks fourth all-time in receiving yards (2,200) at Virginia Tech.

Ryan had 739 wins in 34 years at U.Va.

They are joined by:

• Gerald Henderson. Drafted in the third round out of VCU, Henderson played 13 seasons in the NBA and had 7,773 career points.

• Ray Hendrick. "Mr. Modified's" career spanned 36 years. The Richmond native was named to NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers and All-Time Top 10.

• Jess Kersey. A pro basketball official out of Newport News, Kersey worked five NBA All-Star games, 190 playoff games and 19 Finals during his 31-year career.

• Al Pearce. A sports reporter for the Daily Press in Newport News for 35 years, Pearce primarily covered racing. He won eight Virginia Press Association awards.

• Billy Wagner. The former MLB pitcher out of Ferrum College recorded 422 career saves, second-best by a left-handed reliever.

The induction ceremony is April 28 at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel. For tickets, call 757-393-8031.