THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 20, 1995 TAG: 9508170149
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
After 24 years as the only executive director the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame has ever had, Herb Simpson is stepping down.
The 80-year-old Simpson, who was among the founders of the club when it was first organized on Nov. 13, 1966, still plans ``to provide a helping hand whenever it's needed.''
Simpson has been executive director since the VSHF started functioning on July 11, 1971.
Eddie Webb, a former assistant basketball coach at Virginia Commonwealth University, has been selected as the interim director. Webb said he will be an applicant when the permanent director is chosen at the VSHF's annual meeting in February at the Hall of Fame building in Portsmouth.
Simpson submitted his resignation to VSHF president Dean Ehlers, athletic director at James Madison University, effective July 31.
A three-member search committee composed of Ehlers, Bob Moorman and Ted Keller selected Webb as interim director. Webb will assume this position on Sept. 5.
The board of directors of the VSHF will make the final selection of the permanent director in February. A spokesman said they will accept other applicants for the position in addition to Webb.
Ehlers highly praised Simpson for his long tenure as executive director.
Simpson was recognized for his service at last year's Hall of Fame induction banquet.
``This was special recognition for his outstanding leadership, involvement and dedicated service,'' said Ehlers.
Simpson also is among those who have been chosen in the VSHF Wall of Fame. Seventy-three individuals have been named in this group. Wall of Fame inductees are those who have accomplishments in sports in the state on a local basis that would attract area or national attention, with significant contributions to sports over a period of time.
A Portsmouth native, Simpson twice was named Sportsman of the Year in Portsmouth by the Sports Club. He assisted in organizing the Little League program in Portsmouth in 1952. He was instrumental in organizing Tidewater Professional Sports in 1963, which kept professional baseball in the area.
In 1986 he was chosen Portsmouth's First Citizen, the same year he was selected to the Tidewater Softball Hall of Fame.
He retired in 1985 as the city's director of communications and emergency services and served a stint on City Council.
Simpson and his wife Frances are the parents of two sons.
``I consider our Virginia Sports Hall of Fame as one of the best in the country,'' Simpson said. ``And I'll be around to help keep it that way.''
Webb, 42, is married and the father of a 5-year-old daughter. He currently is in the process of buying a home in the area.
Webb, who formerly coached at Old Dominion University, resigned as an assistant basketball coach at VCU in early June. He was appointed to an administrative position at the university, overseeing basketball operations.
When the state allowed a number of early retirements, Webb accepted one.
He had been looking into several other job opportunities when the opening came at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Webb said he is excited about the new job.
``I didn't want to remove myself from sports,'' he said. ``This will give me an opportunity not just at a particular school but to promote sports across the state.''
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, located at 421 High St., is in the process of another expansion. A current meeting room will be equipped with additional cases containing memorabilia of recent inductees into the VSHF. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MIKE WILLIAMS
Herb Simpson, executive director of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
and among the founders of the club, is resigning after 24 years.
by CNB