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From the opening of Longwood College’s Lancer Hall in 1980, Jim Gussett and his wife Ann, have been game day fixtures.  From 1966 to 1998, Jim was known as a student advocate at Longwood, first as the assistant dean and later as a math professor.   As a high school catcher in Cincinnati, he played with future MLB managers Don Zimmer and Jim Frey before attending the U.S. Naval Academy.  This episode is the second in a series celebrating Lancer, later known as Willett Hall.  The new Joan Perry Brock Center will be the Lancers’ new home in the fall of 2023. 

In Mike Testa’s two years at Longwood, his GPA was higher than his scoring average.  As a senior guard, he came off the bench to beat visiting Randolph Macon 41-39 in February of 1983.  It may be the most dramatic and unlikely game winning shot in Longwood men’s basketball history.   This episode is the first of a series celebrating Willett Hall that opened in 1980.  The new Joan Perry Brock Center replaces Willett as the Lancers home in the fall of 2023. 

With a determined attitude and superior athletic ability, John Stukes racked up a career record of 70 wins, eight losses and two ties in three years.  At the 134-pound weight class, John was Longwood’s first NCAA Division II Regional Champion and the second Lancer wrestler to compete in the nationals. John is now a veteran high school wrestling coach and math teacher at Hayfield High in Fairfax County.  

“Jerome Kersey:  Overcoming the Odds” is a motivational story about a young man who came from humble beginnings to rise to the top of professional basketball.  Kerry Eggers, veteran Portland Oregon area journalist, tells the story through Jerome’s friends, teammates, family, and coaches.    

Mitch Walker is featured in the third and final tribute to Longwood basketball legend Jerome Kersey.   Walker, who bonded with Jerome as a freshman on and off the basketball court, reflects on the traits and characteristics that made Kersey special.  Walker is a Financial Advisor for the Equitable Advisors Group and the First Deputy Director of Administration for Children’s Services with the City of New York.   

Lemish came to Longwood in 1982 to build the fundraising arm of the college.  After Longwood, Lemish headed the advancement office and athletic department at James Madison University.  He returned to Farmville in 1999 as the athletic director and helped the Lancers study the eventual move to Division I.

Autumn Childress, Longwood University Class of 2018, talks about bouncing back from injuries to finish strong with the women's basketball team.  She also shares her journey and new opportunity as a multi-media journalist.