Women’s track and field star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Francena McCorory was one of five inductees announced for the 2024 Hampton University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Football players Johnnie Barnes, Fred Freeman and Ed Tomlin and men’s tennis player Bruce Foxworth were the other inductees.
McCorory, a Bethel High product, won the gold medal in the 4×400-meter relay at both the 2016 and 2012 Summer Olympics and at two World Championships. She also won three NCAA titles while at HU.
Barnes was the most prolific receiver in Hampton history and went on to play four seasons in the NFL. He played for the Pirates from 1988-91 and finished as Hampton’s all-time leading receiver with 3,090 yards.
Freeman was one of HU’s most successful football coaches. He was head coach from 1984-91 and posted a 49-31-4 record.
The late Tomlin, whose son, Mike, is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach, played from 1965-67 and led the Pirates in scoring all three years. He died in 2012.
The late Foxworth teamed with Roger de Santis Guedes to win the 1976 NCAA Division II doubles championship. The Pirates also won the team national title that year. Foxworth finished with a 71-11 singles record and a 50-18 doubles record. He died in 2021.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 6. Tickets are available at www.hamptonpirates.com/hoftickets.
