Ferrum College Alumni Sports Hall of Fame
Updated: Monday, July 16, 2007
 
 
Class of 1997
 

William Gus Booker, Jr. ’61 

Lynchburg, Virginia  

 

Named co-captain and MVP in both baseball and basketball at Ferrum. Went on to Lynchburg College before signing with the Houston Colts (now the Astros). When injuries cut short his baseball career, he was an outstanding baseball, basketball, and football coach during his 26 years at Lynchburg City schools. One on the youngest referees chosen for Atlantic Coast Conference where he has officiated for 22 years. Also has refereed basketball for the Big South Conference and Colonial Athletic Association and football in the Big East. Three-sport official in the Virginia High School League for 33 years. Served as Commissioner of Colonial Officials Association during the year 1995-96. Pro Scout for Seattle Mariners. Currently a sales representative for Sonny Merryman, Inc.

Richard Matthew Foutz ’61 

Rocky Mount, Virginia 
 

Played Ferrum baseball for one year and football for two years. Was named Hank Norton’s first MVP and a Junior College All-American. Earned full football scholarship to the University of Richmond. Earned a master’s degree from Radford University. Served 10 years as head football, track and junior varsity basketball coach at Franklin County High School, leading the teams to a number of championships. Named High School Football Coach of the Year in 1965. Moved from coaching to post of Athletic Director of FCHSW where he spent another 10 years. Since 1987, has taught physical education at Burnt Chimney Elementary School in Franklin County. Supporter of Little League Baseball, Babe Ruth League and Sandlot Football as umpire and coach.

James Newton McGinnis ’59 

Richmond, Virginia  

     

Named captain and team MVP of the 1958 Panther football team. Ran track and managed baseball team. Named Junior College All-American. Voted Best All-Around Student and President of the Varsity Club. First junior college player to gain full football scholarship to the University of Richmond. Earned a bachelor’s of science degree in business marketing at the University of Richmond and a master’s degree in education at Virginia Commonwealth University. Early in his career, played offensive fullback for Washington Redskins. Was player/coach for the Richmond Rebels. Named 1973 State Catholic League Coach of the Year. Served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Richmond area with 20 years at Benedictine High School, the last six years as principal. Community Volunteer for the American Cancer Society, the Heart Fund and Saint Mary’s Hospital. Currently assistant principal at George Wythe High School for the Arts in Richmond, Virginia.

Steve Arnette Robinson ’79 

Tallahassee, Florida 

 

Played two years at Ferrum under Coach Joe Davis and Coach Grant Hudson. Earned a bachelor’s degree from Radford University, where he captained team and later served as assistant coach. Named men’s head basketball coach at Florida State University in 1997 after leading the University of Tulsa to back-to-back NCAA appearances and a 46-18 record in his first head coaching post. Apprenticed under University of Kansas Head Coach Roy Williams from 1988 to 1995, during which Kansas made the NCAA tournament field six out of seven years and racked up two Final Four appearances. Early coaching career also included posts at Cornell and Lincoln Universities and Albemarle High School in Virginia. Former standout at Roanoke’s William Fleming High School.

Charles Wilson Tysinger ’68 

Richmond, Virginia  

      

Played offensive tackle at Ferrum and was a member of the 1967 National Championship team. Went from Ferrum to the University of Richmond, winners of back-to-back Southern Conference championships and the 1968 Tangerine Bowl. Member of the Ferrum College Board of Trustees since 1993. Active in a variety of civic and community organizations, including the American Heart Association, Capital Club Board of Governors, Greater Richmond Sports Backers and the Financial Executives Institute. Chief Executive Officer of Central Fidelity Bank since 1993, where he currently serves as Corporate Executive Vice President and Treasurer.

Robert Lee Watson

(1942-1976)         

 

Head basketball coach at Ferrum 1971-73. 1971-72 record of 34 wins-4 losses; Cavalier-Tarheel Conference champions 13-1; National Runners-up NJCAA finals. 1972-1973 record of 25 wins-4 losses.  The Ferrum College Alumni Sports Hall of Fame, in recognition of the ideals of character, achievement, and competitive spirit, offers a memorial tribute to Coach Robert Lee Watson whose life ended when the plane carrying the 1976-77 University of Evansville basketball team and other team supporters crashed while traveling to a game in Tennessee. Each year Ferrum College awards in his memory the Bobby Watson Endowed Scholarship, which goes to needy and deserving students with an interest in athletics.