Hall Call Podcast

2023 VSHF inductee, Bob Rotanz, is one of just two players in Roanoke College Men’s Lacrosse history to win National Player of the Year honors, a feat he accomplished in 1978. That same season, Rotanz also took home National Defensive Player of the Year honors, and helped lead the Maroons to the NCAA D-II National Championship, scoring the winning goal in a 14-13 victory over Hobart College. The N...

2023 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Virginian Award recipient, Joe Montgomery, has found success from the gridiron to the boardroom. An All-American center for William & Mary football in the 1970’s, Montgomery has since been honored by the Rimington Trophy with its Gerald. R. Ford Legends Award for his continuing commitment to his alma mater and many other philanthropic endeavors. As w...

2023 VSHF Inductee, Francena McCorory, has topped the medal podium at all levels of her career. First as a record setting high school track and field star for Bethel High School in Hampton, VA, then as a National Champion for her hometown Hampton University Pirates, and ultimately as a 2x Olympic Gold Medalist for USA Track and Field. Now as we continue the countdown to 2023 Induction Weekend, McC...

2023 VSHF Inductee 2023 Shawn Moore, is a Virginia football legend. Coming out of Martinsville on the Southside of Virginia, Moore, would go on to set dozens of school, conference, and NCAA records at quarterback for the University of Virginia football program. The 1990 ACC Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy finalist became "one of the most important recruits in UVA Football history" according...

2023 VSHF Inductee, Jerry Ratcliffe, has spent 5 decades covering sports in Virginia. The 4x Virginia Sportswriter of the Year is best known for his coverage of ACC sports and specifically the University of Virginia. Moving from print to digital media in 2018, Ratcliffe continues to provide expert insight on all things UVA. As we gear up for 2023 Induction Weekend, Ratcliffe will join the #HallCal...

The #HallCall Interview Series begins anew in 2023, with a look at the past, present, and future of the National Pastime in the Commonwealth. We caught up with David Driver, author of From Tidewater To The Shenandoah: Snapshots From Virginia's Rich Baseball Legacy. Driver’s book provides a deep-dive into a state that has produced 5 Cooperstown inductees, numerous World Series stars, and continues...

Whether it was Powell Valley High School, the University of Virginia, or the National Football League, 2018 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Thomas Jones, knew how to run the football. The record setting running back from Big Stone Gap, VA is one of just thirty-one players in NFL history to rush for over 10,000 yards. 11-years removed from a stellar NFL career, Jones is now tackling life aft...

Mental wellness in the military veteran and first responder communities is a growing challenge. Many within these ranks suffer daily with conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and stress, as they transition to civilian life. On this episode of the #HallCall Interview Series, we’ll learn about a new program based here in Virginia aimed at tackling this issue through the power of SPEED. Luke...

As the dog days of summer wind down, millions and millions of sports fans are gearing up for their favorite season…Fantasy Football Season! As training camps come to a close, and kickoff to the NFL season approaches, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame wants to make sure you are armed with knowledge as you prepare for your fantasy draft or drafts (plural). Join the Hall of Fame as it continues its #H...

Apple TV+ hit series, “Ted Lasso”, tells the tale of an American college football coach transitioning to English football, when he takes the reigns of AFC Richmond. The series has become a critical and commercial success through 2-seasons with its combination of humor and storytelling. While the series has gained notoriety around the world, a group of Richmond (VA) based businesses want to bring A...

The Hall Call Interview Series rolls on, as we catch-up with 2010 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Ducibella. Ducibella was named Virginia Sportswriter of the Year 6-times during his time with the Virginian-Pilot. Known for his extensive coverage of the Washington Commanders and golf, Ducibella can provide perspective on both as they find themselves entrenched in the current news cycle....

The Hall Call Interview Series returned in July, with baseball as the focus! The game of baseball is known as the national pastime, but here in Virginia current interest is extremely high. Over the past two decades, MLB fields have been filled with players that call the Commonwealth home, and for a group of players from Hampton Roads, they all have one thing in common, coach Towny Townsend. Townse...

As we look ahead to 2022 Induction Weekend, our next edition of the #HallCall Interview Series will feature one of our Class of 2022 inductees, Jon Lugbill. Lugbill is a legend and pioneer in the whitewater canoe slalom discipline. Out of Oakton High School in Northern Virginia, Lugbill is the only paddler ever to win 12 World Championship gold medals in the sports. The University of Virginia grad...

2022 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Anthony Poindexter, is widely known as one of the best football talents to come out of the Commonwealth. The Forest, VA native was a dominant force for both Jefferson Forest High School and the University of Virginia. While injuries may have derailed further accolades, the 3x All-ACC selection will be recognized by the official sports Hall of Fame for th...

Maia Chaka made history prior to the 2021 NFL season, when she became the first African-American woman hired as an on-field official for NFL games. The Norfolk State University graduate began her climb to the NFL in 2007 by officiating high school games, eventually making her way to NCAA Division-I fields, and ultimately NFL stadiums. When she is not making split second decisions on the football f...

Last week, Landstown High School wrestler Adonis Lattimore captured the VHSL Class 6 State Wrestling championship at the 106-lb weight division. A state championship is an amazing accomplishment on its own, but doing so without the use of legs is a feat unto itself. Lattimore was born without a left leg, a partial right leg, and only one finger on his right hand yet still found a way to hone a ski...

2022 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Sonny Allen, was a champion on and off the basketball court. As head coach of Old Dominion University Men's Basketball for 10 seasons, he led the Monarchs to countless victories and a 1975 NCAA Division-II Championship. Off the court, he advocated for social change in college athletics, helping to desegregate college sports in Virginia. Allen passed away...

The college sports landscape in Virginia changed dramatically in 2021. From high profile positions being vacated and filled, to the Commonwealth being in the middle of another round of conference musical chairs, fans of Virginia’s colleges and universities will have a different outlook in the years ahead. Who better to help us assess the changes, and get us prepared for what’s to come than 2014 VS...

2010 VSHF Inductee Herman Moore spent years terrorizing defensive backs as a record setting wide receiver at the University of Virginia, and in the NFL with the Detroit Lions. Recently Moore and his UVA teammates were featured in 'We're #1!' a documentary on the ACC Network profiling the historic 1990 ACC Football Season. Moore joined #HallCall to discuss the legacy built at UVA during his years t...

2017 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Beth Anders created a championship culture with Old Dominion University Field Hockey from the ground up. Over 30-seasons at the helm, Anders led ODU to a record 9 National Championships. On top of an unprecedented and unmatched run of success, Anders has now put her coaching philosophy and principles on paper with her recent book 'Develop Teams, Wins Fol...

Chesapeake native Chelisa Painter has been making an impact on the basketball court since middle school. An All-Southeastern District performer at Indian River High School, Painter then became a key contributor for Old Dominion University Women's Basketball in the mid-teens. After playing professionally overseas, Painter is looking to continue her career on the court, but in a different capacity a...

The sports world was saddened to learn of the recent passing of legendary football star, Roger Brown. A 1997 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Brown was an imposing force on the football field, but more importantly a pillar in his Southeastern Virginia community. On this edition of #HallCall we take a look back at his career and legacy with Virginian-Pilot Sports Columnist, Larry Rubama.

Football season doesn’t mean the action is exclusive to field. 75 million people also participate in fantasy football leagues. To help people get ready for their drafts, and look ahead to potential in season pickups, we caught up with award winning fantasy sports writer, Jake Ciely. Jake is a Senior Writer for The Athletic.

Norfolk native, Tony Brothers, recently completed his 27th season as a referee in the National Basketball Association. His final assignment for the 2021-2022 season was Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The Booker T. Washington High School and Old Dominion University alumnus, has seen almost everything during his time in the NBA, but the past 18 months have been unlike anything in sports. Brothers joined...

After a disappointing end to a promising 2020 softball season due to COVID, Virginia Wesleyan University softball returned in 2021 and claimed their 3rd NCAA D-III National Championship in 5 seasons. Guiding the team through not only the pandemic, but another championship winning season is head coach Brandon Elliott. Over the course of his 14 seasons at the helm, Elliott has turned the program int...