Southwest Virginia Touchdown Club - Football Hall of Heroes

The 2010 members of the Hall of Heroes were chosen by the Board of Directors of the Southwest Virginia Touchdown Club, Inc. Each individual selected has made a significant contribution to the sport of football as a coach, player, athletic director, sports writer, etc. Nathan Graybeal, former sports information officer and noted football historian for Emory & Henry College, was especially helpful by providing photos and information about members of the Emory & Henry football program through the decades.

 

Position: Guard
College: University of Tennessee
High School: Scott County High School

Years: 1906 - 1909
Inducted College Football Hall of Fame: 1967
Place of Birth: Hales Mill, Virginia

Date of Birth: 03/23/1886

Nathan Dougherty played guard for Tennessee, 1906 - 1909 and was captain of the football, basketball, and track teams. He was six - 2, 185 pounds and his nickname was "Big'n." He graduated with honors and acquired two more degrees while teaching engineering classes at Cornell University and George Washington University 1911 - 1916. He returned to the University of Tennessee to teach in 1916 and was dean of the engineering college 1940 - 1956. A building at the engineering college was named for him in 1964. Dougherty served on the university's athletic council 40 years and was its chairman most of that time. He was president of the Southern Conference, a founder of the South Eastern Conference, acting commissioner of the South Eastern Conference, and vice-president of the NCAA. He was born in a log cabin at Hales Mill, Virginia, March 23, 1886, and died at age 91 in 1977.

College: University of Tennessee

First All-American for the University of Tennessee
High School: Virginia High School, Bristol, Virginia
Years:  University of Tennesee 1928 - 1929, 1931
Inducted College Footall Hall of Fame: 1954

Date of Birth: 09/5/1908

Tennessee coach Bob Neyland often stood in awe of his prized halfback, Gene McEver, admiring the intensity in the deep-set eyes, the determination of the firm jaw and the competitive spirit reflected in each of those characteristics. McEver was so strong, his teammates called him "The Wild Bull", and indeed the Volunteer halfback literally bulled through enemy defenses. McEver played in 1928, 1929 and 1931; he did not play in 1930 due to a knee injury. As a sophomore in 1928, he returned a kickoff 98 yards, the winning play in a 15 - 13 victory over Alabama. In 1929, he led the nation in scoring with 130 points and was named Tennessee’s first All American. In his three varsity years, Tennessee won 27 games, lost none, and tied three; all three ties were with Kentucky. The deadlocks with Kentucky haunted him. "I'm still trying to figure out those Wildcat games," he said years later, shaking his head. After graduation, McEver entered the coaching profession. He was assistant coach at Davidson 1932 - 35, head coach at Davidson 1936 - 1943 and assistant coach at Virginia Tech 1944-47. McEver died July 12, 1985.  

            Beattie “Big Chief” Feathers

Position: Halfback
College: University Tennessee
High School: Virginia High School, Bristol, Virginia

Years: University of Tennessee 1931 - 1933
Inducted College Football Hall of Fame: 1955
Place of Birth: Bristol, VA 

Date of Birth: 08/20/1908

Beattie Feathers scored 32 touchdowns in 30 games for Tennessee, 1931-33. Tennessee had a 25-3-2 record in that time. Beattie's career rushing total, 1,888 yards, lasted 37 years as the school record. He was All-America halfback and Southeastern Conference Most Valuable Player in 1933. His longest touchdown runs: 1931 - 60, 75, 80 yards vs. Mississippi, 70 vs. Kentucky, 65 vs. Duke, 65 vs. New York University, 1932 - 54 vs. North Carolina, 33 vs. Mississippi. 1933 - 43 and 33 vs. Virginia Tech. In 1932 he averaged 46 yards on 23 punts in a driving rain against Alabama. In 1933, he kicked a 76-yard punt against Florida. Beattie played professionally from 1934 to 1940. In his rookie year with the Chicago Bears set a pro record by averaging 9.9 yards per carry in rushing. He was the first NFL player to rush for 1000 yards a record that stood for over 30 years, He was head football coach at Appalachian State, 1942, and North Carolina State 1944 - 1951. He coached 24 years at Wake Forest as head baseball and assistant football coach. He was born William Beattie Feathers in Bristol, Virginia, August 20, 1909; he died March 11, 1979, in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He was a teammate of Gene McEver, another Hall of Fame halfback, in both high school at Bristol and Tennessee. McEver was two years ahead of Feathers at both.

 Bill “Bullet Bill” Dudley

Position: Halfback
College: University of Virginia

First All American for the University of Virginia

 Due to his 5ft 10in, 152-pound frame, it was thought by most college recruiters that Bill Dudley was too small to play college football. Dudley was to prove the recruiters wrong. Once Virginia coach Frank Murray decided to take a chance on the mighty mite halfback, Dudley launched a career, which would see him become the only player to win Most Valuable Player honors in collegiate, Armed Forces, and professional competition. By 1941,  Dudley had reached 175 pounds and led the nation in four categories: touchdowns - 18; points scored - 134; rushing average - 6.2 yards a play; touchdowns responsible for -  29. Virginia had an 8-1 season, with a 21-19 loss at Yale. In the final game, Virginia beat North Carolina 28-7. Dudley had three touchdowns and four extra points; his teammates carried him off the field. He received the Maxwell Trophy as the nation's outstanding college player. Dudley joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1942 and led the National Football League in rushing. Then it was off to Army Air Corps. He returned to the Steelers in 1946, led the NFL in three departments: rushing, punt returns, pass interceptions, and was named the league MVP. His pro career, including seasons with Detroit and Washington, lasted through 1951. He later served four terms in the Virginia House of Representatives.

 C. P. “Moe” Curcio

Position: Center
College: Emory & Henry
High School: Lyndhurst High School - Lyndhurst, New Jersey
Years: 1946-1950
Place of Birth: Lyndhurst, New Jersey

Date of Birth: 02/20/1923

Charles P. “Moe” Curcio came to Emory & Henry College after being discharged from the United States Army at the end of World War II, where he played center for the “Wasps”. After graduating, he began his coaching career in Southwest Virginia. Coach Curcio was one of the original coaches of the Southwest District when it was organized in 1953. He made his mark in Southwest Virginia with his outstanding coaching clinics of the 1950’s and 1960’s. His abilities as an organizer are unsurpassed in the annals of coaching. Coaches who spoke at his clinics included big name coaches from some of the best athletic programs in America. In 1964, he brought Ara Parshegian of Notre Dame to Virginia High School as the guest speaker for the high school atheltic banquet. The precedeing year, Adolph Rupp of the University of Kentucky was the speaker. He was and is a beloved friend and mentor to the vast majority of his former students.

                   Carroll Dale

Position: End
College: Virginia Tech

First All-American for Virginia Tech
High School: J. J. Kelly High School, Wise, Virginia
Years: Virginia Tech 1957 - 1959
Inducted College Football Hall of Fame: 1987
Place of Birth: Wise, Virginia

Date of Birth: 04/24/938

Carroll Dale is today a very popular public speaker and goes out of his way to assist the work of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Carroll will tell you, "The Bible is my number one Playbook." As a gifted receiver at Virginia Tech and later in the National Football League, Carroll Dale had another playbook...an offensive one that enabled him to score touchdowns. At Virginia Tech, Dale started in 39 consecutive games, every one except the first game of his freshman season. In all four seasons, he led Virginia Tech in receiving. He finished with a career total of 67 receptions, 15 touchdowns and a high average of 17.8 yards per catch. During his college career, he was named to several All- America teams. He was Player of the Year in the Southern Conference and for three consecutive years (1957 - 1959), he was voted the Roanoke Touchdown Club's Lineman of the Year. He captained Virginia Tech in his senior year and following graduation he played five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. In typical offensive fashion, Dale scored on a 57-yard touchdown pass in his first NFL game. He also played with the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. Dale currently lives in Wise, Virginia and is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Athletic Development at UVA - Wise.

Casto Ramsey

After graduating from King College, in Bristol, Tennessee, and sevicing in the US Navy during WW II, Casto Ramsey began his extensive coaching career in Southwest Virginia. He coached at Tazewell High School, Abingdon High School, and Sullivan East. He then moved to the college ranks coaching at Emory & Henry College, the University of Houston, the University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech. His 1968 team finished the season, ranked #10 nationally in Division II. The offense for the 1968 season averaged a national record of 553.3 yards per game. His success as a coach cannot not be measured by the number of games won and loss during his career. Ramsey’s true genius was his ability to win the hearts of his players. One good example where this ability shines through was when he was selected to coach the 1964 Virginia High School All Star game. In 10 days, Ramsey took a hand full of Southwest Virginia High School Seniors and molded them into a cohesive team that soundly defeated the West Virginia All-Star team coached by Don Williams. His legacy lives on in the young men who played for him at Emory and who became coaches in Southwest Virginia. Phil Robbins, one of Virginia’s most sucessful high school coaches stated, “At one time, I am going to say, in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s there were 80 plus coaches in the state of Virginia who had graduated from Emory & Henry. Just over and over, it’s amazing the number of people coaching who had played for him.”

Fred Selfe

Position: Center
College: Emory & Henry

Little All American 1968
High School: Castlewood High School, Castlewood, Virginia
College Years: 1965 - 1969
Place of Birth: Castlewood, Virginia 

Date of Birth: 08/07/46

Fred was an outstanding football player at Castlewood High School where he played both offense and defense. He was an excellent student, musician, a man of principle, and a role model for all who knew him. After graduation from Castlewood High School, Fred was selected to be a member of the 1964 Virginia All Star team that defeated the West Virginia All Star team at a packed out Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield, West Virginia. As a center for Emory & Henry, he earned All American honors on the nationally ranked 1968 “Wasps” team. After graduation from Emory, he coached at R.B. Worthy High School, Abingdon, and John Battle, before returning to Emory & Henry. His legacy extends far beyond the football field. His devotion to family and his dedication to the education and training of future coaches and teachers go beyond that of ones obligations and duty. Today the Fred Selfe Stadium stands as a tribute to this man, his integrity, and legacy. To get to know Fred talk to a friend, team mate, or read “Great Big Small Things” by Dale McGlothlin who played for Coach Selfe.

 Mike Compton

Position: Center, Offensive Guard
College: West Virginia University

First Team All American - First Team All Big East

First Team Academic All American

Finalist  for the Lombardi Trophy
High School: Richlands High School, Richlands, VA

West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame 2007
Place of Birth: Richlands, VA

Date of Birth: 09/18/1970

Mike Compton played football for Richlands High School in Richlands, Virginia. Compton began his collegiate career at West Virginia University in 1989 as a redshirt freshman. Compton was backup center to senior center Jeff Price that season. In 1990, Comptons sophomore season, he became the starter at the center position. His game experience from his redshirt freshman year was key to his starting success. In 1991, as a junior, Compton was an All Big Eight selection. In 1992, his senior season, Compton earned consensus All American honors. He was a finalist for the Lombardi Trophy, a First team All Big East selection, a selection to the CFA Scholar-Athlete Team, and a first-team Academic All-American. Compton was selected in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He was the starter on the offensive line, blocking for Barry Sanders during his record setting rushing seasons. In 2001, Compton joined the New England Patriots squad. In his three seasons with the Patriots, Compton earned two Super Bowl rings. In 2004, he ended his professional career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2007, he was inducted into the West Virginia University's Sports Hall of Fame.  In 2011, Coach Compton will assume the position as, Offensive Line Coach, for the Bluefield College Rams. Bluefield College is bringing back football for the first time in sixty-nine (69) years. We are sure that Compton will be a major asset to the program.

Southwest Virginia

Touchdown Club

 Hall of Heroes

Est. 2010 

     This symbol beside the player in the SWVA Football Hall of Heroes denotes the fact that the individual is a member of the the College Football Hall of Fame. The College Football Hall of Fame is  a part of the National Football Foundation.