Former NSU's James Doughtie among hall of fame inductees

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- J.R. Reid, an All-American basketball player in high school and college, and NFL return specialist Mel Gray are among the six Hampton Roads athletes who will be inducted into the 2013 class of the African American Sports Hall of Fame in November.

Joining the two are athletes Leroy Jones, James Doughtie, James Flowers, and Juanita Etheridge, along with two going into the Hall of Fame as community contributors: the Rev. Dr. Michael Daniels and the late Dr. Clarence Cuffee.

The banquet is Nov. 23 at the Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel.

But locally, he was known for his play on the basketball court at Norfolk State from 1971-73, where he was the center on three CIAA tournament basketball teams.

Doughtie was an outstanding football player and track star at Portsmouth's Woodrow Wilson High School and Norfolk State. At Norfolk State, he was a four-year starter at linebacker and team co-captain from 1974-77. He was a member of three CIAA championship teams. In track, Doughtie was an All-American in 1975, 1976 and 1977.

While starting in the Norfolk State secondary, Flowers established a reputation as one of the best defensive players ever to play in the CIAA. The Lake Taylor High grad was an All-American in 1976.

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