Virginia Union University will induct eight outstanding individuals and the 1992 Men's Basketball Team into the Thomas "Tricky Tom" Harris Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, September 19, 2025, the university announced on Tuesday, June 24.

The 2025 Hall of Fame class includes:

• Malcolm Barnwell was a standout wide receiver in the NFL, playing five seasons for the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. His best professional season came in 1984, when he totaled 45 receptions for 851 yards and two touchdowns.
• Carl Bland, a 1984 VUU graduate, played wide receiver in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers and won a Grey Cup with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders in 1992. He now serves as a pastor and school administrator in St. Louis.
• Valerie Briggs dedicated over two decades as coach of the VUU Cheerleaders, "The Rah Rahs." A Richmond native and VSU alumna, Briggs has had a lifelong passion for spirit leadership and athletic support.
• Ashlé Freeman remains Virginia Union's all-time leading scorer in women's basketball with 1,758 career points from 2011 to 2015. A two-time All-CIAA selection, Freeman also holds the school record for most steals in a single game (12).
• Brian Gurley competed in both football and track & field at VUU (2009–12), earning All-American honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships. He was a CIAA champion in the 60-meter dash and a member of the All-CIAA 4x100 relay team. In 2012, he was named VUU Male Athlete of the Year.
• Major General Mitchell Kilgo played football for the Panthers from 1985 to 1988 and currently serves as Deputy Inspector General of the U.S. Army Inspector General Agency. He holds multiple advanced degrees and has served the nation with distinction since entering active duty in 1988.
• Marvin and Janice Willingham, both VUU alumni, have been lifelong supporters of Panther Athletics. Marvin played football under Coach "Tricky Tom" Harris and was mentored by the legendary Henry Hucles. The Willinghams have continually demonstrated unwavering dedication to the university's athletic programs.
• The 1992 Men's Basketball Team, led by legendary coach Dave Robbins, captured both the NCAA Division II National Championship and the CIAA Championship, finishing the season with a 30-3 record. This was the second of three national titles won under Coach Robbins' leadership, and the team remains one of the most celebrated in Panther history.

"Congratulations to all on your induction into the Virginia Union 'Tricky Tom' Harris Athletic Hall of Fame," said Joe Taylor, VUU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Community Wellness. "You are joining an elite, distinguished group of extraordinary individuals. Your induction is a result of strong character, commitment, and dedication to personal growth and unselfish support of Virginia Union University. All of you embody the championship spirit of Tricky Tom Harris in strengthening the brand of our beloved university."
The induction ceremony on September 19 promises to be a celebration of legacy, excellence, and Panther pride.