VIRGINIA, USA — The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame will be adding a few new additions to its 2024 roster, including a William & Mary soccer alum as well as a two-time Olympic gold medalist and Portsmouth native.
Portsmouth's LaShawn Merritt, a four-time Olympic medalist and eight-time World Champion, was announced as one of the Hall's Class of 2024 inductees. Merritt won two gold medals in the Beijing Olympics and added two more medals during the 2016 Rio Olympics. He won a gold medal in the Men's 4x400m and a bronze medal in the Men's 400m.
Two-time Women's World Cup Champion Jill Ellis will also be inducted. Ellis led the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT) to victory in 2015 and 2019. Ellis stepped down as the USWNT head coach in 2019 and is now serving as the president of the San Diego Wave FC.
Over the course of 50+ years, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame has inducted 354 athletes, coaches, and contributors from across the Commonwealth.
Also included among the 2024 inductees is two-time Super Bowl champ Chris Long, who played college for UVA and was named the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year.
For the first time, the induction ceremony will be held in the Richmond area where the Hall will host several events that promote on-site engagement and promotional opportunities.
"With another strong class of inductees, the eyes of Virginia sports fans will be on Henrico County, April 19 & 20, 2024," according to the Hall's website.