Share this Story
Virginia Wesleyan Announces Eleventh Class for Athletic Hall of Fame
An induction luncheon will be held for the five new members on February 9, 2019
University News | December 3, 2018
Virginia Wesleyan University has selected the eleventh class of its Athletic Hall of Fame. Members will be inducted during a special ceremony on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
Established in March 2008, the Athletic Hall of Fame honors those who, by outstanding achievement in athletics, by service to athletics, or through significant contributions to athletics, have made lasting contributions to Virginia Wesleyan University’s intercollegiate athletic program.
Members of the eleventh class represent the best of the best from Virginia Wesleyan’s athletic history. The five inductees for 2019 are Scott H. Barlow ’83 – Men’s Tennis (1981-83), Norman Billups, Jr. ’81 – Men’s Basketball (1977-81), Frederick Glen Pizzanello ’85 – Baseball (1982-85), Jackie Ochs-Gregory Texter ’09 – Women’s Soccer (2005-09), and the 2006 Women’s Soccer Team.
“We are proud to welcome this distinguished class of individuals into this year’s hall of fame,” said Virginia Wesleyan University President Scott D. Miller. “These Marlins stand out not only for their accomplishments, but for their hard work and determination—qualities we want to highlight for future generations.”
Below are brief biographies of members of the eleventh class, who will be permanently recognized in the Athletic Hall of Fame installation in the Jane P. Batten Student Center.
Scott H. Barlow ’83
Men’s Tennis (1981-83)
Scott Barlow played No. 1 in singles and doubles from 1981 to 1983. He was Dixie Conference Champion at No. 1 in 1981 and 1983 and received NCAA Tournament Bids at No. 1 in singles in 1981, 1982 and 1983. Barlow holds the best single season record (No. 1 singles) in 1981 (17-1) and best flight record (No. 1 singles) in 1981 (17-1). His overall record (No. 1 singles) 1981-83 was (45-6). Barlow was honored as All-Dixie Conference in 1981 and 1983. Barlow splits his time between Newport News and Preston, MD. He is a retired Law Enforcement Officer and currently the Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Criminal Justice Training Academy.
Norman Billups Jr. ’81
Men’s Basketball (1977-81)
Norman Billups is No.1 in VWU history in blocks per game (9) and blocks per season (69) in 1978-79, and No. 2 in blocks in a career (156). He is the No. 2 in career rebounds (801) and single-game rebounds (23). He is No. 4 in season rebounds (255) in 1981-82. Billups scored 1,135 career points. He was All-Dixie Conference in 1979 and1981. Billups was honored as the MVP of the Dixie Conference Tournament in 1978. He contributed to the first basketball team to win a Dixie Conference title, qualify for the NCAA tournament in 1978, and the first team to achieve 20 plus wins in a season in 1978-79. Billups went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida A&M University. He lives in Thomasville, Georgia with his family and serves as Case Manager with the Tallahassee Police Department.
Frederick Glen Pizzanello ’85
Baseball (1982-85)
Glen Pizzanello ranks No. 1 in VWU history in career triples (19), No. 2 in career RBI (138), No. 2 in season triples (7), No. 2 in career total hits (190), No. 3 in career batting average (.383), and No. 3 in career runs scored (126). He is also tied at No. 4 in career homers (15) and No. 6 in career doubles (38). He was named All-South (1982) and All-Virginia and All-Dixie Conference (1985). Pizzanello lives in Chesapeake with his family and is a real estate appraiser with Sinnen Green & Associates.
Jackie Ochs-Gregory Texter ’09
Women’s Soccer (2005-09)
Jackie Ochs-Gregory Texter was one of the top defensive players in women’s soccer history. She was named National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas All-America (2008), All-South honoree (2008), All-Virginia (2008), and two-time All-ODAC honoree (2007 and 2008). She received the ODAC Sportsmanship Award (2008) and was honored by the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District (2007 and 2008). Ochs-Gregory Texter helped guide the Marlins to a combined four-year record of 66-11-13 overall, 38-1-5 in ODAC competition, the 2006 ODAC Championship, four straight NCAA appearances, and a berth in the national Final Four in 2006. She lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her family and is a Clinical Supervisor with Pennsylvania Counseling Services.
2006 Women’s Soccer Team
The 2006 women’s soccer team will go down as one of the most prolific squads in Marlin history. The team amassed a record of 18-4-4, shutting out a record 20 opponents and going on a 19-game unbeaten streak that lasted from September 9 to November 24. The team won the ODAC Tournament Championship for the first time in program history, earning them an at-large bid to the Division III NCAA Tournament where the Marlins powered all the way to the Final Four, marking the farthest Virginia Wesleyan has made it in program history. At the season’s conclusion, seven players were named to the All-Conference teams while Kelly Donnelly was named the ODAC Player of the Year as well as a First Team All-American.
The Athletic Hall of Fame Committee also announced that it will present a Career Achievement Award to Joanne Renn, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Emeritus, in recognition of her 11 years as Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and 25 years of service to Virginia Wesleyan University.
For more information about the Athletic Hall of Fame, visit vwu.edu/hof or contact Suzanne Savage, Associate Vice President for Advancement and Board Relations, at ssavage@vwu.edu or 757.233.8736.