Friday, June 17, 2016

Former VUU football center now Roanoke’s new mayor

ROANOKE, Virginia -- Sherman Lea has gone from the center of the football action at Virginia Union University to the center of the political arena in Roanoke, where he is now the mayor elect.

The 63-year-old Danville area native will be sworn in as mayor June 27. He will officially take office on July 1.

Area football fans may recall Lea as the starting center on Coach Willard Bailey’s 1973 CIAA championship football team that posted an overall 9-1 record, including 9-0 in the CIAA.



“I remember Sherman as someone who was determined to get the job done. He was an excellent center,” recalled Coach Bailey.

“I’ll be there for his (installation) ceremony and I plan to take a group of his former teammates. We’re very proud and wouldn’t miss it.”

The Panthers’ 1973 CIAA title was the first since 1923. The team featured two eventual NFL starters — offensive guard Herb Scott, who went on to play with the Dallas Cowboys, and defensive back Anthony Leonard of the San Francisco 49ers.

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