By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports Report
WAVERLY — Waverly will christen its newly-renovate gymnasium Saturday afternoon with four basketball games, and in between the girls doubleheader and boys doubleheader, Superintendent of School Dr. Eric Knolles will honor the legacy of 1970 Waverly High School grad Al Drummond in a brief ceremony.
Drummond broke the color barrier at the University of Virginia in 1971, becoming the first African-American to play for the Cavaliers under coach Bill Gibson, who had previously coached at Mansfield University.
"I think it's appropriate at a time when we're creating a new atmosphere that we honor the past," said Knolles.
"One of the things I'm most proud of are the kids who go forward and do things that have never been done before," noted Knolles.
"Al Drummond is a wonderful example of that, being the first African-America to play basketball at the University of Virginia, breaking the color barrier in 1971," added Knolles.
The University of Virginia was the last school in the Atlantic Coast Conference to integrate. The University of Maryland’s Billy Jones broke the conference color line in 1965.
For his career, spanning 74 varsity games, Drummond scored 411 points, grabbed 138 rebounds and dished out 93 assists.
His best season statistically was his senior season (1973-74), when he averaged seven points and three rebounds.
Drummond shot 49 percent from the field and 73 percent from the foul line during his time at Virginia.
In 1971-72, his sophomore season, U.Va. went 21-7 and was ranked in the Top 10 in the country much of the season. He was the lone African-American player for the U.Va. team throughout his career.
Drummond passed away on Aug. 12, 2018 at the age of 65.
The Waverly girls JV game will open the day's festivities with a 1 p.m. tip-off. The varsity game will follow 20 minutes after its conclusion.
Following Knolles'remarks, the Waverly JV boys will tip-off around 4:30 p.m., with the varsity game to follow.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly grad Al Drummond. IN TOP PHOTO: The newly-renovated Waverly gymnasium. ... PHOTOS PROVIDED.
