Today is the day of the Virginia Interscholastic Association Heritage Hall of Fame Induction.   You can still register to attend the virtual ceremony by clicking here






HAMPTON, Va. -- Walter (Fuzzy) Ward, a 2019 inductee to the Hampton University Athletic Hall of Fame, will be posthumously inducted to the Virginia Interscholastic Association (VIA) Heritage Hall of Fame on June 25.

The Virginia Interscholastic Association provided athletic, art, academic, and leadership opportunities for African-American high school students from 1954-70.

Walter Ward accepted a scholarship to attend Hampton Institute from 1957-1961 and was a three-year captain of Hampton's basketball team. During his senior year, he was selected as the team's MVP and earned ALL-CIAA first-team honors. Joining Ward on the ALL-CIAA first team were such CIAA legends as Bruce Spraggins and Jackie Jackson from Virginia Union; Lawrence Hancock from Howard University; and Cleo Hill from Winston Salem. 

Ward will be remembered as one of Hampton's and the CIAA best all-around basketball players as he was outstanding on offense and defense. He played in 86 consecutive games at Hampton and closed out his collegiate career in brilliant style by scoring 23 points to break Hampton's all-time scoring record. Ward finished his four-year career at Hampton Institute with 1574 points. His record was eventually broken by NBA Detroit Pistons legend Rick Mahorn.

Ward was the first player ever drafted into the NBA by Hampton Institute/Hampton University when the Detroit Pistons selected him in the eighth round of the 1961 draft. At the same time, he was also drafted by the Washington, DC franchise of the now defunct American Basketball League. Ward was unable to accept either offer as he was required to comply with the military draft.

From 1961-63, Ward served in the United States Army as a Physical Activities Specialist and Athletic Coach in Wildwood Station, Kenai, Alaska. While on active duty he played basketball for the Wildwood Station Post basketball team and was recognized as "being virtually a one-man scoring machine". After his tour of duty, he continued to play his favorite sport with the Courtsmen in the Rucker Professional Tournament and other tournaments throughout the New York City and Tri-State area. Ward also played for the Allentown Jets in the Eastern Professional Basketball League.

Ward earned a B.S. degree in Physical Education from Hampton Institute and M.S. degree in Special Education from Manhattan College. He dedicated his life to excellence in education for over 35 years. He taught, coached, and mentored hundreds of students in New York City and Westchester County public schools.


HONORS
CIAA basketball Player of the Year, 1961
CIAA Basketball Tournament MVP, 1961
George P. Phoenix High School Alumni Distinguished Alumni, 2008
Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame, 2011
Hampton University Athletic Hall of Fame, 2019

Congrats to the family of Walter (Fuzzy) Ward on this honor.