The Douglas Southall Freeman High School Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2009
Joining Bill Long in the inaugural Class of 2009 inductees include Bobby Freeman ’59 (posthumously), Bill Powers ’58, John Irby ’59, Larry Smith ’68, Barty Smith ’70, Jim Pankovits ’73, Erik Keyser ’87, Colin Ducharme ’96, Athletic Director Jim Sangston and Wrestling Coach Drew Bright.
Bobby Freeman ’59 led by example as co-captain of the football and track teams at Douglas Freeman. Bobby also was a member of the wrestling team during his junior and senior years. Bobby earned Honorable Mention all district honors in ’58.
Bill Powers’58 was captain of the DSF football team and made first team All-Suburban. He went on to play football at the University of Alabama, under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Following Coach Bill Long as Head Football Coach at Douglas Freeman, Bill Powers’ teams had an outstanding record, including three regional championships.
John Irby ’59, excelled in track as state champion in the half-mile. He also held several school records. John ran track at the University of Maryland and later enjoyed great success coaching track at J. R. Tucker High School.
Larry Smith’68 was a stalwart on the Douglas Freeman state championship football team in ’67, earning all-state and All-American honors. He was a state champion in the discus and the indoor state champion in the shot put. Larry played linebacker at Virginia Tech, was a teacher and a coach at several Virginia schools and recently retired as Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Barty Smith ’70, excelled as a four-sport athlete at Douglas Freeman in football, basketball, track and baseball. Barty earned all-state and All-American honors in football. By winning the discus and shot put at the state track meet in ’70, Barty was instrumental in leading Douglas Freeman to the state championship team title. After playing his collegiate football at the University of Richmond, Barty played professional football for the Green Bay Packers.
Jim Pankovits ‘73 was an outstanding baseball player at Douglas Freeman, as well a defensive back on the football team. Jim played collegiate baseball for the University of South Carolina and several years professionally with the Houston Astros.
Erik Keyser ’87 was the first two-time state champion wrestler from the Central Region. He won the district and regional titles three times while at Douglas Freeman, and he was a national AAU champion. He wrestled on a collegiate level at the University of North Carolina.
Colin Ducharme was a two-sport standout at Douglas Freeman, earning all-state honors in basketball and football. Colin helped lead the Rebels to regional basketball championships in ’95 and ’96. Colin continued his basketball career at the University of Virginia. After graduation from Virginia, he used his last year of eligibility at then Longwood College, where he was named All-American.
Jim Sangston is retiring this year after 39 years as the Athletic Director at Douglas Freeman. He has earned the award of State AD of the Year and is a member of VHSL Hall of Fame. He has been instrumental in building and maintaining the athletic program at Douglas Freeman to a high level of excellence.
Drew Bright coached the Douglas Freeman wrestling team to 10 regional championships. He holds the state record for most dual matches won. Highly revered by his wrestlers and patrons, Coach Bright has exhibited outstanding teaching skills in his coaching as well demonstrating by example a very disciplined work ethic.
The first induction ceremony will be on May 18th at 6:00 p.m. at University of Richmond Jepson Center. The cost is $30 per person and ticket information/reservations can be secured by contacting the office of DSF Athletic Director at 804-282-3994. | 
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