Courtesy of Virginia Union Sports Information:
Former Virginia Union University football coach Willard Bailey has been selected for induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame, it was announced on Thursday, November 19.
Bailey became an assistant football coach in 1964 under the legendary Thomas “Tricky Tom” Harris. In 1971 Bailey took over as head coach of the Panthers and would collect a school-record 151 coaching wins between 1971-83 and 1995-2003.
Bailey never had a losing season between 1971 and 1983 while Virginia Union had a streak of 21 straight winning seasons (1971-91).
Bailey took VUU to the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs five straight times.
“I want to personally thank Coach Bailey for the positive impact that he’s had on my career,” said Joe Taylor, Virginia Union University Vice-President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Community Wellness. “Welcome to the Black College Football Hall of Fame. It’s a well-deserved honor and congratulations.”
Six inductees were selected from a list of 25 Finalists who had been determined earlier by the BCFHOF Selection Committee.
The Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020 includes: Coy Bacon (Jackson State University), Greg Coleman (Florida A&M University), Jimmie Giles (Alcorn State University), Winston Hill (Texas Southern University), Roynell Young (Alcorn State University) and Coach Willard Bailey (Virginia Union, Norfolk State University, St. Paul’s College, Virginia-Lynchburg College).
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, congratulations to the Class of 2021,” said BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee Doug Williams. “It is a significant achievement to be considered one of the best to ever play or coach football at a Historically Black College & University.”
Votes were tallied from the 11-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators, and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from members of the BCFHOF to determine the Inductees.
The Class of 2021 will be honored at the 2021 Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Juneteenth Celebration, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on June 19, 2021. The Induction Ceremony takes place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga.
For more information please visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.
