Local hoops coaching legends honored at Roanoke Valley Sports Club
Roanoke, Va. – Hoops slides into the spotlight at the Roanoke Valley Sports Club this month. Area basketball coaching legends Woody Deans, Burrall Paye, Ed Greene and Troy Wells were all recognized. The Roanoke native climbed the ladder from refereeing AAU games all the way to the NCAA final four. I was fortunate enought to be hired by the ACC in 1998 and still humbled and blessed,” Ayers says. There wasn’t a single one that I didn’t love to play against and love to go home and think 'Here’s what he did.
Giles native, ESPN reporter Marty Smith returns home for a special night
SALEM, Va. Over time, the Roanoke Valley Sports Club has drawn big names to the area as guest speakers-- such as coaches and former players. Marty Smith spoke to a room of dozens to share his message of kindness, effort and compassion. And by the end of the night, it was Smith who gave a Giles County native an opportunity. Smith surprised Ty Lowery with a Never Settle scholarship as part of Tomorrows Team Inc., to help cover his expenses as a college student-athlete. Smith also signed copies of his New York Times Bestselling book, Never Settle: Sports, Family and the American Soul.