Since the inaugural event in the summer of 1996, the induction ceremonies for FUMA's Sports Hall of Fame have always been star-studded affairs. From the hometown heroes who have captured our hearts with their winning ways, to the international superstars who have competed on the world's largest stages for major championships and Olympic gold, those honored by the FUMA Sports Hall of Fame have always made headline news. It will be no different this summer when our four newest inductees mount the stage to receive their honors and accolades. The 2009 class of inductees includes three megastars of professional football and basketball, and one....well, let's just say that he's a supernova in FUMA's universe of athletics. On the evening of June 18, 2009, FUMA will enshrine Heisman Trophy winner and record-setting NFL quarterback, Vinny Testaverde; Pro Bowl offensive lineman and Super Bowl Champion, Roman Oben; NBA veteran and the best 3-point shooter in University of North Carolina's history, Shammond Williams; and legendary FUMA coach, R. L. "Red" Pulliam. The evening is certain to be a memorable one and we look forward to seeing many of our alumni and friends at this very special event. Plus, we hope you will make plans to play in our Hall of Fame Celebrity Golf Classic the following morning.

Red Pulliam

Not one member of the Corps of Cadets will forget COL R. L. "Red" Pulliam as Commandant of the Upper School for some twenty years or as Interim President of the Academy during the 1990-91 and 1993-94 school years. Red Pulliam came to Fork Union in 1956 as an English Instructor and Varsity Football Coach. He served as FUMA's Head Football Coach for 26 years and compiled a remarkable 170-69-7 (.705) record and coached many players who would go on to distinguished playing careers in college and in the National Football League. Pulliam was inducted into the Randolph-Macon College Hall of Fame in 1999, honoring his standout career from 1949-1953 on the football field, where he was a three-year starter. He earned All-State First Team honors and was named Honorable Mention Little All-America. Pulliam was also named a Distinguished Alumnus of Randolph-Macon in 1997.

Vinny Testaverde

"Believe it or not, it had nothing to do with the football field," said Vinny Testaverde when asked recently on our radio show Shuman Says to relate his favorite FUMA memory. "They asked me to come be part of the track team and throw the javelin. They didn't have a javelin thrower. I had never thrown it before. We went out there and I think I set the school record in throwing the javelin. That was one of my favorite memories." Vinny Testaverde attended FUMA as a postgraduate in 1981-82 and played quarterback on the PG football team under Coach Pulliam. His arm strength was incredible and Vinny's javelin throw of 212' 1" in competition still stands as the FUMA record. Testaverde was born to be a football player, with his father Al Testaverde his biggest fan. As starting quarterback of Sewanhaka High in Elmont, New York during his senior season, Testaverde racked up almost 700 yards in passing, despite playing in an offensive scheme built around running the veer play. Having a rocket arm wasn't enough for the young athlete to gain a scholarship, however. He also needed to demonstrate the kind of academic achievement that would attract the recruiters from the top Division I programs. So Testaverde left behind the comfort of his loving family and his status as high school star in order to meet the challenges of Fork Union Military Academy. That choice not only led to a scholarship to the University of Miami, it helped reinforce and develop the qualities of determination, patience, leadership, responsibility, and dedication to hard work that would characterize Testaverde's long football career. It was, truly, a choice that would prove life-changing for Testaverde. "It saved my football dreams," Testaverde told New York Times writer Bill Pennington in an interview for Pennington's book The Heisman. "I remember that from 7:30 to 9:45 every night, the entire school was studying," Testaverde told Pennington. "And it made a difference. I learned what you can accomplish when you focus." During his two years as starting quarterback for the University of Miami,he led the team to a 21-1 record and set a number of passing records, many of which still stand today, more than two decades later. Testaverde was awarded the Heisman Trophy honoring him as the best college football player in 1986. It was a dream come true for his father. Al Testaverde, a construction worker, used to eat his lunches on the street outside the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City and imagine the day he would enter as a guest of honor to see his son, then just a young boy, win the prestigious award. Picked first overall in the 1987 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay, Testaverde went on to play for 21 years in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ('87-92), Cleveland Browns ('93-'95), Baltimore Ravens ('96-'97), New York Jets ('98-'03, '05), Dallas Cowboys ('04), New England Patriots ('06), and Carolina Panthers ('07). He ranks among the top ten quarterbacks in history in career statistics for passing yards, passes attempted, passes completed, touchdown passes, and he holds a number of NFL passing records outright. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1996 and 1998. In one of his most memorable games, Testaverde led the Jets to their greatest comeback win ever, 40-37 over the Dolphins in October 2000. Entering the fourth quarter down 30-7, Testaverde connected on four touchdown passes to win the game that became known as the "Monday Night Miracle." This game was voted by fans in 2000 as the "greatest game televised on ABC's Monday Night Football."

Roman Oben

Roman Oben was one of the members of the vaunted PG Class of 1991 from which over 50 players went to Division I schools and 13 players ended up in the NFL. Even amongst that kind of competition, Roman Oben stands out. Oben was born in Cameroon, West Africa and moved to the United States when he was four years old. He attended Gonzaga High School in Washington, DC and then came to Fork Union to prep for college. In addition to football, Oben participated in track and set the standing FUMA discus record at 175' 10". He continued on both the gridiron and track at the University of Louisville, placing in the shot put in the Metro Conference Track Championship and being named to the All-National Independent First Team in football. Drafted in 1996 by the New York Giants, Oben started over 90% of the games in his 12-year career at left tackle. He played for the New York Giants ('96-'99), Cleveland Browns ('00-'01), Tampa Bay Buccaneers ('02-'03), and San Diego Chargers ('04-'07). He was the starting left tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their Super Bowl victory in 2002, leading an offensive line that allowed only one sack in 100 passing situations during the postseason, and earning a Super Bowl XXXVII championship ring in the process. In September 2006, the University of Louisville honored Oben prior to their game against rival Kentucky by adding his #72 jersey to their Ring of Fame. Oben was the 15th former Cardinal to receive this honor, joining Louisville legends like Johnny Unitas. Even before his retirement from the NFL, Oben was not content to have all his accomplishments take place on the football field, however. Having already obtained his bachelor's degree from Louisville in the decidedly non-athletic field of economics, Oben went on to earn a master's degree from Fairleigh Dickinson in Public Administration in May 2001. During his studies, Oben interned for two Democratic Congressmen, Bill Pascrell of New Jersey and Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland, Ohio. Oben has made several trips to his native Cameroon where his Roman Oben Foundation has helped provide textbooks, school furniture, and construction aid for schools there. Oben now lives with his family in the New York City metropolitan area and serves as Chairman of the Democratic Party in Kinnelon, New Jersey. He works as the Vice President of Development for The Corporate Playbook, an organization helping current and alumni college athletes with career coaching, employer resources, professional placement services, and networking for employment opportunities with growing companies.

Shammond Williams

Another FUMA alumnus who studied economics in college, Shammond Williams never really dreamed of playing basketball in the NBA. His plans were to earn his bachelor's degree at the University of North Carolina in Industrial Relations and become a financial broker. Getting drafted into the NBA after college was just a bonus. Shammond Williams is one of those well-grounded individuals who doesn't forget his roots. When asked to recount the basketball accomplishments that bring him pride, this NBA veteran doesn't start by telling stories of playing with his friend and teammate Kobe Bryant, he points to when he helped his Southside High School team in Greenville, South Carolina win the 1992 South Carolina AA Championship. Williams still returns regularly to South Carolina to host basketball camps for area youth. Williams is also a frequent visitor to Coach Fletcher Arritt's annual basketball camp at Fork Union where he dazzles the young players with his ball-handling skills and flawless shooting technique. As captain of the PG basketball team in 1993-94, Shammond Williams left his mark on FUMA both on and off the court. Not only did he win the Thomas PG Athlete Award and Frank A. Crockett Captain's Award, he also won the Best Drilled Cadet competition. His outstanding performance continued at the University of North Carolina where he played for Coach Dean Smith and helped lead the Tar Heels to the NCAA Tournament's Final Four three out of his four years there. Williams set career and season records that stand to this day, including Most 3-Point Goals Made in a Season (95); Most 3-Point Goals Made in a Career (233); Highest Free Throw Percentage in a Season (91.1%); and Highest Free Throw Percentage in a Career (84.9%). He was selected the Most Valuable Player of the 1997 ACC Tournament. Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1998, Williams also played for the Atlanta Hawks ('98-'99), Seattle Supersonics ('99-'02), Boston Celtics ('02), Denver Nuggets ('03), Orlando Magic ('03-'04), New Orleans Hornets ('04), and the Los Angeles Lakers ('06-'07). In international play, he has competed for Ulker, Turkey ('04), Unics, Russia ('04-'05), Barcelona, Spain ('05-'06), and Pamesa Valencia, Spain ('06-'09). He was named the Most Valuable Player in the FIBA Europe League All-Star Game in 2005. The day will surely come when Williams will finally retire his sneakers and put his college degree to full-time use, but until then Williams will continue to thrill the crowds with his game-winning skills.