HBCU Football Player Turned Army General Enters HoF
Major General Mitchell Kilgo has spent more than three decades serving his country with distinction in the US Army. The HBCU alumnus is now being recognized for his accomplishments on and off the field as he prepares to be inducted into the Virginia Union "Tricky Tom" Harris Athletic Hall of Fame.
A native of Newport News, Virginia, Kilgo played football for the VUU Panthers from 1985 to 1988. His time on the field reflected the same discipline and leadership that would define his military career. Kilgo's military journey, however, wasn't part of his original plan. As a freshman, he accepted an ROTC scholarship as a practical backup.
"It was my Plan B," he recalled. "I played football and knew if I couldn't play for some reason, I needed an alternative plan to help me stay in school… it was not a lifelong ambition."
But what started as a fallback quickly became a calling.
"I felt great about serving and fell in love with the people and the Army's way of life," Kilgo said. "I guess Plan B was in line with God's plan for my life and not the alternative I was seeking."
In 1988, Kilgo commissioned into the U.S. Army. Over the years, he rose through the ranks to become the Deputy Inspector General of the U.S. Army Inspector General Agency, retiring in 2022. The role placed him at the heart of military accountability and oversight.
Kilgo's military résumé is as decorated as it is diverse. Over the span of his career, he has commanded at every level, held key operational roles, and earned multiple advanced degrees in pursuit of professional excellence. His leadership has impacted global operations, from cybersecurity initiatives to logistical command support across the Department of Defense.
The induction into the Hall of Fame at his HBCU is more than a personal achievement. It is a recognition of the enduring impact of his time at an HBCU on his life and career. For Kilgo, the lessons learned on the football field in the shadow of Richmond's Lombardy Street were foundational.
"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."
Kilgo's story is emblematic of the pathways that HBCU institutions continue to provide for Black leaders. His journey from student-athlete to Major General underscores the role that VUU-and the broader HBCU community-play in producing leaders of consequence.
As Major General Mitchell Kilgo takes his place in the Hall of Fame. His career stands as a testament to the powerful intersection of service, scholarship, and sport that defines the HBCU experience.
The post HBCU Football Player Turned Army General Enters HoF appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The 2025 Hockey Hall Of Fame Class Should Be A Slam Dunk
When you get 18 people together in a room for one night and a morning to discuss the legacies of hockey players, pretty much anything can happen. The Hockey Hall of Fame's selection committee has proved that time and again. That said, it will be difficult for the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame class to get screwed up. Advertisement Among those eligible in the male players' category are Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith and Carey Price. No need to overthink this. Jennifer Botterill and her mind-blowing numbers would be a natural for the women's side. As far as the builders' category, well, that's a free-for-all. Zdeno Chara (Winslow Townson-Imagn Images) Watch today's video column for more, and share your thoughts. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'Bigger than Conor McGregor': Ilia Topuria sets MMA world afire with history-making KO at UFC 317
Even Ilia Topuria's peers can't believe what the UFC's newest lightweight champion is doing. After repeatedly promising to knock out Charles Oliveira in the first round, "El Matador" did exactly that on Saturday at UFC 317, rampaging right through the former champ to capture a second divisional title and cement himself as one of the biggest stars in all of MMA. Topuria (17-0) has now knocked out three future Hall of Famers in a row, having entered UFC 317 on a run that saw him demolish featherweight legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in back-to-back bouts to capture Uncrowned's 2024 Fight of the Year award. With a perfect 9-0 promotional record and a fast-growing hit-list of all-star victims, Topuria is ascending at a rate few UFC champions have before him — so perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that his latest masterclass evoked comparisons to fellow former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor, who rose to become the biggest star MMA had ever seen with his successful pursuit of a second divisional title in 2016. Advertisement Check out how the MMA world reacted to Topuria's historic UFC 317 win over Oliveira below. For full coverage of UFC 317, including live results, play-by-play and highlights of the entire Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira pay-per-view card, check out Uncrowned's UFC 317 hub.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dave Parker's teammates, Hall of Famers, current Pirates react to his death: 'One of the greatest to ever do it'
The baseball world mourned the death of Dave Parker, Hall of Famer and former National League MVP, on Saturday. The 19-year major leaguer had battled Parkinson's disease for nearly 15 years. The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds, the teams with whom Parker played the majority of his MLB career, expressed their condolences. As did the Athletics, Angels, Brewers and Blue Jays, in addition to Major League Baseball. Plenty of Parker's former teammates, fellow Hall of Famers and current Pirates players voiced their sympathies as well. Advertisement Fellow Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven and Parker were teammates on the Pirates from 1977-80, which included winning the World Series in 1979. "What a sad [day] as my former teammate and friend, HOF'er Dave Parker, passed away," Blyleven posted on social media. "He fought Parkinson's for years. Our condolences to his wife Kellye, his family and everyone that had the great opportunity to be with him. RIP Cobra." 'Man, I am crushed," former teammate Dave Stewart told USA Today's Bob Nightengale. 'He's one of the greatest teammates I've ever had. He had such a presence when he walked into the room. Parker and Stewart played together on the Oakland Athletics in 1988 and 1989, getting to the World Series in both seasons and winning a championship on their second try. Keith Hernandez didn't play on any teams with Parker, but was certainly a peer as both were top major leaguers in the late 1970s through the 1980s. "The best player of the late '80s and early '80s," Hernandez told the New York Post's Mike Puma. "Great, boisterous peer." "He used to say, 'When the leaves turn brown, I will be wearing the [batting title] crown,'" he added. "Until I usurped his crown in '79. He was a better player than me. RIP." Hernandez did indeed win the National League batting title in 1979 with a .344 average after Parker won it for the previous two consecutive seasons, batting .338 in 1977 and .334 in 1978. Advertisement Fellow Hall of Famer Frank Thomas remembered fielding a ground ball from Parker at first base early in his major league career. "RIP, Dave Parker, the Cobra!" Thomas posted on social media. "One of the greatest to ever do it. Love watching you as a kid. I will always remember that first line drive ground ball you hit me in the show right off my chest." "You said, welcome to the show, kid," he continued. "That big smile and the finger point trot. #Legendary." Eric Davis, Parker's teammate with the Reds, issued a statement because he was too distraught to talk, according to Nightengale. The thought that Parker wouldn't be alive for his Hall of Fame induction was too upsetting. 'He probably had more impact on young players than any player I've ever been around," Davis said. Current Reds manager Terry Francona played with Parker on the 1987 Reds and 1990 Brewers, remembered getting to play with a star he long admired. "He was a big, lovable... I caught him toward the end of his career," Francona recalled. "He was funny, you could mess with him. "Not too much," he added with a laugh. Pirates veteran Andrew McCutchen shared his thoughts on Parker with Alex Stumpf, acknowledging what he meant to Pittsburgh fans. "It's a tough thing to hear, but he had been battling Parkinson's for quite some time," McCutchen said. "It was rough to see him go through that. I just hope now he's in a a better place and not having to worry about any of that stuff anymore." "Just thinking about his family and the fanbase who may have had any type of interaction with him, childhoods," he added. "He was probably Superman to a lot of people when he played." Advertisement McCutchen's teammate, Nick Gonzales, currently wears the No. 39 jersey that Parker wore during his 11 seasons with the Pirates (and throughout his career) and thinks it should be retired. "It just meant a little bit more today, playing with that number," Gonzales said on Saturday. "I think it should be retired and I should get a new number, honestly." "That might happen at some point," he continued. "For what he did for this community... it's an honor just to wear it on my back." Parker was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in December by the Classic Era Committee, earning votes on 14 of 16 ballots. He will be officially inducted into Cooperstown on July 27.
