Pitts, Sweat to join Sports Hall of Fame

Daily Press

Richard "Pop" Pitts, a fixture in Peninsula District athletics for three decades and a standout basketball player at Norfolk State in the 1960s, is part of the 2007 induction class in the Hampton Roads African-American Sports Hall of Fame.

Pitts is joined by LaVerne Sweat, longtime track coach at Norfolk State and Hampton University, former Elizabeth City State basketball star Marvin Trotman, basketball and track standout Walter Green, and boxing instructor and trainer Earnest Green.

"It's probably the greatest honor that I've ever had," Pitts said. "For being out of college athletics for 40 years and to still be recognized as a good player is very satisfying."

Pitts, a Norfolk native, starred at Norfolk State in the mid-'60s. He earned All-CIAA regular season and tournament as a junior and senior. He averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior and 25.8 points and 12 rebounds per game as a senior.

Pitts coached and taught at Peninsula Catholic from 1970-75, helping implement many of the school's athletic programs. After a year away from education, he went to Menchville High, where he served as coach and administrator from 1976-2004.

He coached basketball for the Monarchs from 1976-89 and served as athletic director from 1990 until his retirement.

He is also well-known in track and field circles. His presence and booming voice made him an institution as a starter and event official for years at track meets.

"I know that they put six (inductees) in per year," Pitts said. "When you look at all the athletes that have come from this area, it can take years to get recognized. I wasn't a flashy player, and people tend to notice flashy players. I was more of a blue-collar worker. To get inducted in the 10th class is quite an honor, considering it could have taken a lot longer."

Sweat coached at both Hampton and Norfolk State. She was track coach at Norfolk State from 1988-2005 and retired as senior women's administrator in 2006. Her teams won numerous CIAA and later Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles.

She was an assistant coach with the U.S. Olympic track team in Sydney in 2000. She also was head coach of the U.S. team at the World University Games in Romania in 1981 and the Junior Pan Am Games in Canada in 1993.

The HRAASHF induction banquet will be held Nov. 3 at the Norfolk Sheraton Waterside. Tickets are $70 and can be reserved by calling Yvette Todd at 404-1775 or at the Hall's Web site: www.hraashf.org.