HAMPTON, Va. (September 5, 2024) … David Six, Hampton's all-time winningest women's basketball coach, will be inducted into the Hampton Roads Hall of Fame, it was announced.
The rest of the class includes an Olympian, three coaches, and two former players: Brandon Elliot (Virginia Wesleyan), LaShawn Merritt, Sugar Rodgers (Georgetown), Darryl Cummings (Norfolk State), and Mimi Smith (Old Dominion).
This spring Six announced his retirement after 15 years as the head coach. Six's Hampton teams posted an overall record of 264-188, won five regular-season MEAC titles, six tournament crowns, and earned seven post-season invitations (six NCAA tournament berths and one WNIT appearance). From 2009-2014, the Lady Pirates averaged 25.4 victories, winning the league crown and earning an NCAA Tournament bid each season.
His calling card was that his teams would play anyone. As head coach, Hampton played 44 Power 5 schools, nearly three a season. The Lady Pirates posted a 6-11 record against ACC competition, defeating Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, and Boston College (twice). Coach Six's teams were 5-8 against SEC opposition, with victories over Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, LSU, and Florida.
Prior to accepting the head coaching position at Hampton, Six was a highly successful head coach at Hampton High School. In 14 seasons, Six's teams won 331 games and state titles in 2001 and 2007. His teams won one regional title, ten regional appearances, five state Final Four appearances, nine district titles, and nine district tournament titles. At the same time, 30 of his players earned college basketball scholarships. Six was a two-time Virginia High School League Coaches Association (VHSCA) Coach of the Year and was named Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2007.
From 1995-97, Six coached the boys' team at Gloucester (Va.) High. He twice led the team to the Peninsula District Tournament. He is the only boys' varsity coach to qualify for the district tournament at Gloucester.
He was a two-time Virginia High School League Coaches Association (VHSCA) Coach of the Year and was named Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2007. In 14 seasons, Six's teams won 331 games and won state titles in 2001 and 2007. His teams won one regional title, made 10 regional appearances, five state Final Four appearances, won nine district titles, and nine district tournament titles while 30 of his players earned basketball scholarships.
In 2018, Six suffered a stroke and was diagnosed with a blood clot in the back of his head. He underwent rigorous physical therapy during his recovery period and was able to continue his coaching career. He was back on the sidelines as practice began and never missed coaching a game. In 2019, Six was among the winners of the USBWA Most Courageous Award and the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award.
He was also selected as one of the Legends of Coaching for the 50th year of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2021.
The induction banquet will take place in the Big Blue Room at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, located at 4320 Hampton Blvd. on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Free parking will be available in the adjacent garage on 43rd Street. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m., with dinner and the induction program at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets will cost $65, and a table of eight can be reserved for $450. Tickets and tables can be reserved by calling the arena box office at 757-683-4444.
