Title
Resolution in Recognition of Marcellus Spencer "Boo" Williams, Jr.
Purpose
On August 27, 2022, with the unanimous consent of the members of the Hampton City Council, Marcellus Spencer "Boo" Williams, Jr. was presented with the Distinguished Citizen Medal and a framed Resolution as stated herein. This item ratifies that action.
Recommendation:
Rec
Pass the Resolution in Recognition of Marcellus Spencer "Boo" Williams, Jr., for his contributions to the City of Hampton and the sports industry
Body
WHEREAS, Hampton native, Marcellus Spencer “Boo” Williams, Jr., is being recognized for the contributions he has made to our community and the sports industry;
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams began his sports career as a basketball star at Hampton’s Phoebus High School;
WHEREAS, he continued his quest for athletics at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he became a standout and was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame;
WHEREAS, after playing professional basketball in Europe, he returned to Hampton and became a successful insurance agent;
WHEREAS, in 1982, he founded the Boo Williams Summer League which grew into one of the top Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) programs in the country;
WHEREAS, 2,500 athletes participate in the Boo Williams Summer League each year. Seven Boo Williams-coached teams have won national championships and hundreds of participants have gone on to play at collegiate, national, international and professional levels;
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams started the Boo Williams Nike Invitational tournament which is held annually with nearly 250 participating teams from around the country;
WHEREAS, he served on the local organizing committee for the AAU Junior Olympics and played a key role in bringing the Junior Olympic Games to the Hampton Roads region five times and the McDonald’s All-American Boys Basketball Game to the region in 1998, increasing Hampton Roads’ sports profile;
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams became nationally and internationally known as an advocate and consultant for youth basketball and youth sports; he has been the AAU Chairman of Boys and Girls Basketball; and a member of the USA Basketball/ABA Cadet Committee for Development of Future Olympians;
WHEREAS, in 2008, he opened the Boo Williams Sportsplex, a $13.5 million, 135,000 square foot, multi-use sports facility;
WHEREAS, he is a member of the inaugural class of the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame and the recipient of many local and national recognitions; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams is the son of Marcellus Spencer Williams Sr., and Patricia J. Williams and is married to Saunya Johnson Williams.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, that Marcellus Spencer “Boo” Williams, Jr., be and hereby is, awarded the Hampton Distinguished Citizen Award for the contributions he has made to the City of Hampton and society.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the minutes of the September 14, 2022, City Council meeting of the City of Hampton, Virginia, and that an appropriate copy be signed by the Mayor, attested by the Clerk and presented to Marcellus Spencer “Boo” Williams, Jr.