Compiled by Kevin Clary '84 and Louise Nolff
Brotherly love
ESPN Radio host, Bob Valvano '79 wrote
"The Gifts of Jimmy V, A Coach's Legacy"
to honor his older brother.
Bob Valvano '79 authored The Gifts of Jimmy V, A Coach's Legacy in 2001 to honor his older brother's powerful influence in his life and the lives of countless others. "The best gift we can give each other is to tell someone we believe in them," says Bob. "It is such a valuable gift. No one did this more stirringly than my brother, Jim. This book visits that subject." Through stories, he paints a portrait of a complex and courageous man, "warts and all," with the gift to motivate, inspire, excite and move people.
During a 19-year career, Jim Valvano coached in eight NCAA basketball tournaments and was twice named ACC Coach of the Year. He followed that with a successful stint as a commentator/analyst with ESPN before succumbing to cancer in April 1993.
Bob's career has followed a similar path as his brother's. A three-sport athlete at Virginia Wesleyan, he graduated cum laude with a degree in communication studies. He also coached collegiate basketball for 19 years, setting single-season records for wins at three different colleges, in addition to coaching on the professional level in Europe.
Bob joined ESPN in 1998 where he hosts a program for ESPN Radio heard weeknights on more than 350 stations in North America. He also serves as a basketball analyst for ESPN television and as an analyst for the University of Louisville's basketball radio broadcasts.
A motivational speaker, Bob has spoken to hundreds of businesses and organizations on "Making a Difference," a theme which harkens back to his college days. "Virginia Wesleyan is a special community because it teaches you that you can make a difference and gives you the tools, the insight and the motivation to do just that."
Bob is on the board of The V Foundation for Cancer Research which was founded in 1993 by his brother and ESPN. The foundation, which seeks out promising young scientists in need of critical-stage grant support, has raised more than $23 million and awarded more than 150 research grants since its inception. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book is donated to The V Foundation.
Honors & Awards
Krista McDonough Vicich '95, Virginia Beach, Va., and her husband, John, received the Hampton Roads Army Family of the Year Award, given annually by the YMCA to recognize families in the military who volunteer their time in the surrounding community.
Elliott McIver "Mac" Davis '73 was named Person of the Year by the Rotary Club of St. Thomas in February 2002 for his selfless dedication to the people of the Virgin Islands. He has served as president of the Rotary Club and is currently president of the Board of Trustees and the PTA at Antilles School, his alma mater.
Mac left the security of that small independent high school after graduation in the late '60s to come to another small, relatively new school where he was active in student government politics. After graduating from Virginia Wesleyan with a degree in history/political science, he earned a juris doctor degree from Howard School of Law.
In his professional career with the Virgin Islands Department of Justice, Mac has served as assistant attorney general, deputy solicitor general and, most recently, solicitor general. He is a member of the Virgin Islands Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Mac, a cancer survivor and runner, completed his first two marathons in 2001. He and his wife of 25 years, Deborah, have three children, Joseph, 21, Elizabeth, 18, and Elliott, Jr., 11
Teresa Rhyne '92 received the Outstanding Services Volunteer Award from the Hampton Roads Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in October 2001 for her work with the local MS Walk for the last four years. She was previously recognized by the chapter as its 1999 Mother of the Year. Teresa, who has multiple sclerosis, also serves as a patient advocate for Teva Neurosciences, the pharmaceutical company which produces Copaxone, the medication she takes for MS. The accounting manager in the business office at Virginia Wesleyan, she and her husband, Scott, also a MS Society volunteer, have two children, Rebekah, 5, and Amanda, 1.
Events
Reliving "Party in the Dell" days was just one of the events which filled the "Reunion 2002--Reconnecting with the '80s" Weekend June 28-30. The new Jane P. Batten Student Center provided a great backdrop on a beautiful summer day for the traditional seafood feast. Page Larson '87, Virginia Beach, and Cindy McKinney Hilliard '87, Marietta, Ohio, and boys took time to reconnect as they joined fellow 1980's alums for the weekend which was capped off by a dinner and dance Saturday evening in Boyd Dining Center.
Professor Linda Ferguson, Rodney Duckworth '94 and Sebring Rockefeller '75 were among the more than 100 people who attended the Alumni Association's 2nd Annual Garden Party and Silent Auction on May 22, 2002, in the Hospitality Suite of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Former and current faculty spent the evening visiting with alums and their families while bidding on 77 silent auction packages. Plans are underway for next spring's party to be held on May 22, 2003, at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. If you are interested in serving on the event committee, contact Kevin Clary in the Alumni Office at 757-455-3298 or alumni@vwc.edu.
The 70's Meets The '00s
Rachael Lafex '01 spent the year after she graduated as a ministry intern at Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church in Alexandria, Va., where Keary Kincannon '75 is the founding pastor. Rising Hope is situated on the Route One corridor, an area with a significant homeless population. The church strives to be a place for the least, the lost, the lonely and the left-out. Rachael, who concluded her service this past summer, was a point of first contact for those seeking assistance at the church. She is attending Chandler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta this fall on full scholarship to study for the ordained ministry.
Tune In
Listen to Virgin ia Wesleyan's new alma mater, created in conjunction with the College's 40th anniversary, with music by Professor David Clayton and lyrics by Sandi Billy, Director of the Center for Sacred Music. Go to http://www.vwc.edu/almamater/ to download.