A respected leader known for her dedication to student-athletes will be honored at the RVA Sports Awards this month at the Altria Theater. The Richmond Region Tourism Foundation recently announced that the late Peggy Davis is this year’s Community Champion Award honoree.

Davis, who spent more than 20 years as Virginia State University’s associate vice president for intercollegiate athletics, transformed the Trojans into a powerhouse, earning over 20 NCAA tournament appearances and 26 CIAA championships. She died on Oct. 16.

“Peggy was an inspiring and dedicated leader,” said Danielle Fitz-Hugh, vice president of community relations at Richmond Region Tourism. “She took VSU’s sports programs to new heights while championing diversity and inclusion across college athletics throughout her career.”

Her leadership extended beyond the university as the first female interim commissioner of the CIAA, a two-time Hall of Fame inductee and a seven-time CIAA Athletic Director of the Year.

She led major upgrades to VSU’s athletic facilities, including the $84 million Multipurpose Center and field turf enhancements at Rogers Stadium. Davis also helped the Trojans achieve their highest-ever graduation and academic success rates, earning national recognition from the NCAA.

The RVA Sports Awards will be held on Feb. 8 at the Altria Theater to celebrate the people, teams and moments that shape the Richmond region through sports.

Proceeds will support the Richmond Region Tourism Foundation’s Sports Tourism Grant initiative and scholarships for VSU and VCU students. For more information visit RVASportsAwards.com.