Robert Lawson '30
Football, Basketball,
Baseball
A versatile performer, Robert Lawson was a three-sport standout
for the Tigers. In football, he played end and quarterback,
in basketball he was a center, and in baseball he played
outfield.
In football, Lawson still holds the Hampden-Sydney record for
most interceptions in a game, with four during the 1929 contest
against Lynchburg College. During the 1929 game against
Virginia Tech, he served as acting captain and scored H-SC's only
touchdown on a 12-yard interception return. In 1928, he was
quarterback of the unit that defeated the University of Richmond,
13-0, and Randolph-Macon, 39-6.
He played a key part with the Tigers' famed "wrecking crew"
during the 1929 baseball season, and served as baseball team
captain during his senior season. He was awarded the
prestigious Gammon Cup at graduation in 1930.
Lawson briefly coached at Episcopal High School in Alexandria,
before attending law school at the University of Virginia, where he
served as an assistant football coach for the Cavaliers.
Lawson practiced with the law firm of Steptoe and Johnson in
Charleston, West Virginia, from 1935 to 1988, serving as senior
partner in the Charleston Office. In 1992, he received an
honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Hampden-Sydney.
Originally from South Boston, Virginia, Lawson is a member of
the South Boston-Halifax County Athletic Hall of Fame. He and
his wife, Virginia Peyton Brown, have three children and eight
grandchildren and live in Charleston, West Virginia.
William N. Balas '49
Basketball
During his four-year
basketball career at Hampden-Sydney, Balas annually earned
all-state recognition and was the team catalyst during one of the
most successful periods in H-SC basketball history.
In February 1949, the Richmond
Times-Dispatch wrote, "Bill Balas has done the most in recent years
to get Hampden-Sydney College a prominent place in the Old Dominion
court picture." Balas was also called "the Barrymore of the
Backboards" because of his good looks and thespian tactics on the
court.
A four-time all-state
basketball selection, Balas brought his one-hand shot from
Pennsylvania to the South in the fall of 1945 and immediately made
an impact on Tiger basketball.
As a freshman, he was the
state scoring champion with 340 points. The following season,
he earned second team all-state honors as the Tigers posted a 14-6
record and claimed the Virginia State Championship. As a
senior, Balas was co-captain and leading scorer on a record-setting
team. Under legendary coach George "Gummy" Proctor, the
Tigers' 22-3 season record earned the Mason-Dixon championship,
with numerous impressive victories, including two wins each over
Virginia Tech, Richmond and Randolph-Macon. The 22-3 record
posted by the 1948-49 team stood for 43 years before being broken
in 1992; their .880 winning percentage stood as the school record
until the 1994-95 season.
Originally from McKeesport,
Pennsylvania, Balas is now retired and lives with his wife, Mary
Jo, in Salem, South Carolina.
John Hodges '58
Football
One of H-SC's best-ever linemen, John Hodges was described by
Coach Jim Hickey as "the old rugged type, an aggressive lineman who
could play 60 minutes of football." Unanimously, opposing
coaches said "Big John" was the best lineman they faced all
season. He played both offensive and defensive line for the
Tigers and was considered a standout on both sides of the ball.
A member of the Tiger football squad from 1950-52 and again in
1955, he left Hampden-Sydney after the 1952 season to enlist in the
United States Marine Corps. He returned to college in 1955
and was a key member of the team that posted an 8-1 record.
Hodges received All-Mason-Dixon Conference honors and All-State
recognition in both 1952 and 1955. He was honored as honorary
captain of the all-state team both seasons and also received
honorable mention All-America recognition.
Originally from Buggs Island, Virginia, Hodges is retired and
currently lives in Crystal River, FL.
Phil Suazo '85
Football
During his career at Hampden-Sydney, Phil Suazo was the dominant
defensive back in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and is
arguably the best ever to play the position for the Tigers.
From 1981 to 1984, Suazo patrolled the defensive secondary for
H-SC and was a key member of two ODAC Championship squads. He
served as team captain of a 1984 squad that posted an 8-2 record
during Stokeley Fulton's final season as coach of the Tigers.
As a senior, Suazo tied the school record with seven pass
interceptions and finished his career with 15 interceptions.
Also a standout punt returner, Suazo ranked fifth nationally in
punt returns as a junior and seventh in the nation as a senior.
Suazo's list of individual honors during his career at
Hampden-Sydney is quite extensive. He was a three-time
first-team All-ODAC selection and was named H-SC's most valuable
player during his junior and senior seasons. As a junior,
Suazo earned honorable mention AP Little All-America honors and as
a senior was a first-team All-American selection. He was
selected to the Virginia College Division All-State team twice and
was named the Division III Player of the Year in Virginia as a
junior and senior.
Following graduation, Suazo spent four years as a teacher,
administrator and coach at Worcester Academy in Worcester,
Massachusetts. He later spent three seasons as an assistant
football coach at the College of Holy Cross. Currently living
in Boston, Massachusetts, Suazo is program director for Morgan
Memorial Goodwill Industries in Boston and is also co-chairperson
of the Access Now Coalition.
SPECIAL CITATION
Dr. Edgar Gammon '05
A varsity athlete at Hampden-Sydney who later served as College
Chaplain and College President, Dr. Edgar Gammon was an ardent
booster of athletics at the College.
During his days as a H-SC student, Gammon earned varsity letters
in football, baseball, and track and served as team captain in
football and baseball. During his service as pastor of
College Church and College Chaplain from 1917 to 1923, he was also
a coach for the baseball team.
As President of Hampden-Sydney from 1939 to 1955, he was
instrumental in developing and supporting the athletic
program. He was also an enthusiastic fan, attending practice
and games whenever possible. During his tenure as President,
Gammon Gymnasium was built and later named in his honor. In
addition, he is the founder and namesake of the prestigious Gammon
Cup, given each year to a senior who best served the college
through character, scholarship and athletic ability.
Dr. Gammon remained a supporter of Hampden-Sydney athletics
until his death in May of 1962.
Dick Burrell '38
A 1938 graduate and former football player at Hampden-Sydney,
Dick Burrell wore many hats during his two decades of service to
the College. Burrell served as Athletic Director at
Hampden-Sydney from 1960 to 1970 and as Sports Information Director
from 1970 to 1979. He also worked as an assistant football
and basketball coach and as head golf, cross country and tennis
coach. Since his retirement, Burrell has remained an active
supporter of the College's athletic programs.
Before returning to Hampden-Sydney, Burrell served as a coach at
Clarksville High School, Emporia High School, Highland Springs High
School and Woodberry Forest High School. He also spent four
years in the United States Coast Guard during World War II.
Born in Auburn, New York, Burrell and his family soon moved to
Prince Edward County where he graduated from Farmville High School
in 1934. Burrell and his wife, Frances, lived on campus for
many years before her death in 1991. He and his current wife,
Chris, live in Farmville and are fixtures at most Hampden-Sydney
athletic events.
**All information listed is current as of
1995.
