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Virginia Union to induct 8 and 1992 basketball team into Hall of Fame

Free Press staff report | 7/3/2025, 6 p.m.
Virginia Union University will induct eight individuals and the 1992 men’s basketball team into its Thomas “Tricky Tom” Harris Athletic …
The 1992 Virginia Union University men’s basketball team, shown here, will be inducted into the VUU Athletic Hall of Fame on Sept. 19. The Panthers won both the NCAA Division II national championship and the CIAA title that season, finishing 30-3 under Coach Dave Robbins. Photo courtesy of VUU Athletics

Virginia Union University will induct eight individuals and the 1992 men’s basketball team into its Thomas “Tricky Tom” Harris Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 19.

The 2025 class includes Malcolm Barnwell, a former NFL wide receiver who played five seasons with the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Barnwell’s best season was 1984, when he caught 45 passes for 851 yards and two touchdowns.

Carl Bland, a 1984 VUU graduate, also played wide receiver in the NFL for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. He won a Grey Cup with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders in 1992 and now works as a pastor and school administrator in St. Louis.

Valerie Briggs coached the VUU cheerleaders, known as the Rah Rahs, for more than 20 years. A Richmond native and Virginia State University alumna, Briggs has been deeply involved in spirit leadership and athletic support.

Ashlé Freeman is Virginia Union’s all-time leading scorer in women’s basketball with 1,758 career points from 2011 to 2015. She was a two-time All-CIAA selection and holds the school record for most steals in a single game with 12.

Brian Gurley competed in football and track and field from 2009 to 2012, earning All-American honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships. He was a CIAA champion in the 60-meter dash and part of the All-CIAA 4x100 relay team. Gurley was named VUU Male Athlete of the Year in 2012.

Maj. Gen. Mitchell Kilgo played football at VUU from 1985 to 1988. He currently serves as deputy inspector general of the U.S. Army Inspector General Agency. Kilgo has multiple advanced degrees and has served in the military since 1988.

Alumni Marvin and Janice Willingham have long supported Panther Athletics. Marvin played football under coach “Tricky Tom” Harris and was mentored by Henry Hucles, a former coach and athletics administrator.

The 1992 men’s basketball team, coached by Dave Robbins, won both the NCAA Division II national championship and the CIAA championship. The team finished the season 30-3. It was the second of three national titles under Robbins and remains one of the most celebrated teams in Panther history.