Photo by Cathy Benson | The Botetourt View

James Walker, Dennis Wiley, David Bousman and Will Wyche were inducted into the LBHS Sports Hall of Fame.

Teacher Tom Rudisill welcomed the guests and student athletes to the Hall of Fame induction on Friday, Sept. 26. and Alan Brenner, the principal, explained the process and significance of the Hall of Fame. Each of the four inductees had a personal introduction from someone who knows them well.

The first candidate was David Bousman, who was inducted because of his service to the school in the booster club during the time he was booster club co-president with his wife, Chippy. He was credited with improving the athletic fields and facilities by changing the focus of the LBHS Booster Club from buying uniforms to making significant improvements in the facilities. Bousman thanked all of those from the school division and the LBHS community for their assistance in when he was Booster Club president.

James Walker is an unsung hero, yet everyone is familiar with his work if they drive by the high school. He was introduced by Coach Tater Benson. Walker volunteered his time to haul rocks and build the the stone marquee out front that announces events going on at the school, as well as the stone wall for the LBHS Veteran's Memorial and the dedication monument for the LBHS Field house. He declined to speak but he drove the wrestling bus to meets for 13 years as well. Benson said he is a role model for young people: "Live for others, not yourself."

Dennis Wiley was an all-star athlete at LBHS in the early '60s, graduating in 1961. He played onthe LBHS football team that still holds the school winning streak -- 23 consecutive games, played at Ferrum College where he was on the National Junior college National Championship team and the University of Richmond where he graduated. He also played basketball and ran track at Lord Botetourt. He was an honarable mention Prep All American while at Lord Botetourt. He thanked his teammmates and family and that anything he accomplished in college was due to his time at Lord Botetourt. His son Derek introduced him.

Will Wyche was the last inductee. He has most recently passed the criteria for the ten years out of high school. He was a track star at Lord Botetourt and a graduate of West Point, where he was an all star runner. He has a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his battlefront bravery and injuries received in Iraq. Introduced by his former coach Richard Pauley, he was described as determined. He went from a 7-year-old boy running his first Fincastle 5K to a state champion track star and college athlete and served his country valiantly.

Wyche was modest and thanked his teammates, coaches and his mother for all of their support through the years.

The four inductees will be featured at the LBHS homecoming game against Blacksburg this evening and memorabilia from their careers will be on display in the cases in front of the new gym at the school. Each received a jacket and plaque from the school presented by Brenner and Athletic Director Chuck Pound.

At the end, each student athlete walked by and shook hands with the inductees. They were later introduced to the fans at the homecoming game against Blacksburg.