Seven alumni with sparkling credentials have been chosen for induction into the Virginia Union University Athletic Hall of Fame.

A formal induction ceremony will be held Friday, Sept. 20, on the Lombardy Street campus.

The new Hall of Famers again will be honored Saturday, Sept. 21, during VUU’s home football game against Johnson C. Smith University.

The inductees:

Al Bowers (1965 to 1969, golf): The Mecklenburg County native helped the Panthers to CIAA golf championships in 1966, 1968 and 1969. He served as VUU’s Student Government Association president and now owns a successful Chesterfield County-based construction firm .

Dr. Lucille M. Brown (1946 to present, supporter): Dr. Brown, a 1950 graduate of VUU, is a former superintendent of Richmond Public Schools and a member of the VUU Board of Trustees. The annual Dr. Lucille M. Brown Community Youth Bowl at VUU, which exposes area students to a day of academics, athletics and cultural experiences on the campus during the fall, was started by the VUU Athletic Department in 2001 and honors Dr. Brown.

Mike Crawley (1974 to 1979, football): Averaging more than 40 yards per punt, the Highland Springs native earned All-CIAA honors in 1976, 1977 and 1978. He later was named to the Greater Richmond Bowling Association.

Moses Golatt (1988 to 1999; 2001 to 2005, women’s and men’s basketball): After coming to VUU from St. Paul’s College, Golatt had 223 wins as the VUU women’s basketball coach and was an assistant coach on VUU men’s NCAA championship basketball team in 1992.  

Danielle Hoggard (2000 to 2004, basketball): The local recruit frorm L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield County was a dominant inside performer for the Lady Panthers, collecting 910 points, 577 rebounds and earning All-CIAA honors in the 2003-04 season.

Sherman P. Lea (1971 to 1974, football): In 1974, Mr. Lea was the starting center on the Panthers’ first CIAA championship football team in 50 years. He later became mayor of Roanoke and helped bring the CIAA championship game to Salem.

Fred Pinkston (1954 to 1957, track and field): The native Floridian was a standout athletically at VUU while also serving as editor of the campus newspaper and a member of the yearbook staff. He went on to become a successful teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal and coach on the high school and college levels. He is a past president of the VUU National Alumni Association.