Endowed Scholarship Fund - Track

COL. H.M. "SON" READ '16
MEMORIAL TRACK SCHOLARSHIP
Represented by Mrs. Beverly M. (Suzanne) Read of Lexington, Virginia.
 

"Son" Read '16

The Col. H.M. "Son" Read '16 Memorial Track Scholarship was established anonymously to honor one of VMI's great professors and track coaches who gave inspirational leadership for over 30 years to VMI. It was the first scholarship directed specifically to the VMI Track program.

The scholarship provides grant-in-aid to a track athlete who will represent the finest traditions of the Corps and set a personal example in all areas of endeavor.

"Son" Read matriculated at VMI from Gulfport, Mississippi, and graduated as a  Distinguished Student with a bachelor of arts degree. He received a master's degree from the University of Virginia. He was a first sergeant in the U.S. Army Infantry in World War II.

Read ran the anchor leg on the 4-man VMI team that ran in the mile relay at a prestigious meet at the University of Pennsylvania before 18,000 spectators in 1916. VMI placed third and, for the first time, became "noticed."

Read returned to his alma mater a year after his graduation as an English professor and VMI's first track coach, and had the sport declared a "major sport" in 1917.

He remained as head coach until 1948, and was honored with two BOMB dedications.

When college track was suspended in 1943 because of WWII, Coach Read had, after 25 years, accumulated the following records:

Track--three state championships; five times a runner-up; a second and third place finish in conference meets. Cross Country--seven state championships; one conference championship.

More importantly, he left a positive and lasting impression on hundreds of VMI men who knew him as a teach, counselor and coach.

Read died in July 1968. He was awarded posthumously a Special Citation by the VMI Sports Hall of Fame for his service as Coach and SID. In 1971, a new outdoor track at Alumni Memorial Field was dedicated in his honor.

Cadet Chandale N. Williams '10 (Women's Track) is recognized in the name of
the Col. H.M. "Son" Read '16 Memorial Track Scholarship
for the 2007-08 year.