WHEREAS, Gregory Maurice Beckwith, Sr., a basketball legend at the University of Richmond and a beloved husband and father in Midlothian, died on May 24, 2024; and

WHEREAS, a native of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Gregory "Greg" Maurice Beckwith, Sr., came to the Commonwealth in 1982 to play as a point guard on the University of Richmond men's basketball team; and

WHEREAS, Greg Beckwith helped the University of Richmond Spiders earn a reputation as "giant killers" by defeating the higher-ranked Auburn University Tigers during the 1984 National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Tournament, and he ultimately led the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances and two National Invitation Tournament appearances during his tenure; and

WHEREAS, Greg Beckwith finished his career with the Richmond Spiders as the all-time leader in steals and assists and was a recipient of the prestigious Kevin Eastman Award, a rare accolade that has only been presented four times in the institution's history, for his extraordinary leadership and outstanding play; and

WHEREAS, after graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics, Greg Beckwith served as a graduate assistant basketball coach at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and later at the University of Richmond, where he subsequently earned a master's degree in sports management; and

WHEREAS, Greg Beckwith pursued a career in the sporting goods and apparel industry at AJD Cap Company, Sports Specialties, Inc., Adidas, and S&S Activewear; and

WHEREAS, Greg Beckwith remained a loyal alumnus of his alma mater and provided analysis for television and radio broadcasts of Richmond Spiders games for more than two decades; he also volunteered his time to support and inspire young people as a coach in the James River Blaze Amateur Athletic Union; and

WHEREAS, Greg Beckwith was inducted into the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame in Pennsylvania and into the University of Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame, both as an individual, and as a member of the 1988 men's basketball team, which was the first Richmond Spiders squad to be ranked among the top 20 teams in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Greg Beckwith will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his beloved wife of 31 years, Julie; his children, D'Auria, Brittany, and Gregory, Jr., and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Gregory Maurice Beckwith, Sr., a highly admired member of the Midlothian community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Gregory Maurice Beckwith, Sr., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.