The Honorable Sherman P. Lea, Sr., Mayor of the City of Roanoke, was inducted into the Virginia Union University Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. Mayor Lea began playing football at the University for Coach Willard Bailey in 1971. In 1973, Lea was a starter as a Center on the 1973 and 1974 teams. The 1973 team won the first Virginia Union University-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) football championship in 50 years, and the Panthers team finished 9-1. After graduating, Lea became a football official in the CIAA Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) from 1984 to 1992. He was also a Virginia High School League (VHSL) football and basketball official for 31 years.
As a member of the Roanoke City School Board and Chairman of the TAP Board of Directors, Lea helped to establish the Western Virginia Education Classics in Roanoke, that assisted in bringing dropouts back to school. That Classic was held in the City of Roanoke for 13 years, beginning in 2000. In 2016, Lea was elected Mayor of the City of Roanoke and was instrumental in the negotiation that led to the Roanoke Valley hosting the CIAA championship football game. In 2019, the CIAA signed a contract to host the CIAA football championship game in the Salem Football Stadium for the next seven years.
Lea said, “I was honored and humbled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at my alma mater given all of the great athletes who have attended this great institution. I feel blessed that I could share this ceremony with my wife of 42 years, Clara; my children, Erica Rosser (Jonathan Rosser), Sherman Lea, Jr., grandchildren Jaylen, Mya and Jonathan, Jr.; and a whole host of family members from the Danville and Richmond areas.”
Lea spoke very elegantly at the induction banquet, citing the role his parents, Charles and Christine Lea, had on his life in terms of developing his character, encouraging him to stay in school, and to work hard. He also was appreciative of attending
Virginia Union University and receiving the guidance and direction from head coach, Willard Bailey, who insisted that all athletics become strong students in the classroom. Lea stated he was proud he had the HBCU experience that truly prepared him for life.
Congratulations to the Honorable Sherman P. Lea, Sr., for being inducted into the exclusive Athletic Hall of Fame at Virginia Union University.
