Bridgewater College

VIDEO: RUSSELL LONG HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

Russell V. "Bob" Long, the third member of the Bridgewater College Athletic Hall of Fame from the 1920s era, is another in the outstanding line of Eagle baseball student-athletes. He achieved his Bachelors of Arts degree from Bridgewater in 1929, and a Master's Degree from James Madison University in 1959. He also served as an assistant in the B.C. Physics Department in 1928-29.

A graduate of Weyers Cave High School in 1925, Bob came to Bridgewater after pitching Weyers Cave to County championships his junior and senior years. He pitched one of the greatest games in Eagle history, when he fired a no-hit, no-run, 11-inning victory at Hampden-Sydney. After the game, the Tigers' coach handed Bob the game ball, as it was the second no-hitter in school history. A four-year letterman in baseball, Bob was the team captain in 1929. After graduation, he went on to pitch for Weyers Cave in the Augusta County League from 1924-34. During that time, he helped that team to four pennants and turned in a 15-2 record during 1925 and '26. He then pitched in the Valley League from 1935-38 and turned in 10-2 records in both 1936 and '37.

Bob directed his entire life's work to education from 1929-71, including tenures as principal of McGaheysville High School from 1948-50 and Grottoes Elementary School from 1950-71. He coached baseball and basketball at Dayton High School from 1929-31 and Ridgeway High School near Martinsville from 1932-39. An active member in his church, he taught a Sunday School class for over 25 years, served on the church board, was treasurer and was voted a trustee.

His outstanding play on the Eagle baseball diamond and model work in the field of education makes Bob Long an exemplary member of the Bridgewater College Athletic Hall of Fame.