The VIA Heritage Association will honor seven new members in its Hall of Fame Class of 2025, recognizing outstanding athletes and contributors who helped shape Virginia’s African American high school sports during segregation.

The Virginia Interscholastic Association was the governing body for athletics and extra- curricular activities for Black high schools before public school integration. The VIA Heritage Association preserves and celebrates this legacy.

The 2025 Hall of Fame inductees include athletes James Eric Hammond of South Side High School in Dinwiddie, Shirley Marshall Lee of Parker Gray High School in Alexandria, the Rev. Charles Roberts of Douglas High School in Leesburg, and Larry Short of South Side High School. Contributors named are Sharon Bonner Yates of South Side High School, Calvin Pearson of Phenix High School in Hampton and Ray V. Spain of Union Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach.

“The Hall of Fame is a testament to the resilience, talent and dedication of those who shaped the history of the VIA,” said James Hollins, president of the VIA Heritage Association. “We are honored to recognize these individuals and their contributions to our community.”

The new inductees will be recognized at the VIA Heritage Association Awards Banquet in Charlottesville on June 20. For more information, visit viaheritage.com.