Charlotte, N.C. (Jan. 6, 2025)-Virginia State University will celebrate two of its most iconic student-athletes this winter as Jerome "Biggie" Bell Sr. and George Leonard — pillars of Trojan excellence in men's basketball and football — are set to be enshrined into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Hall of Fame.
The 2026 Hall of Fame Class will be formally inducted during the annual Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday, February 27, as part of the CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament.
Jerome "Biggie" Bell Sr.
Few players have captivated the CIAA the way Jerome "Biggie" Bell did from 1974–79. Known affectionately as "The Magician," Bell brought creativity, flair, and leadership to the court while orchestrating the high-flying "Showtime Trojans."
Bell lettered four seasons, earned All-CIAA honors, and quickly became one of the most decorated point guards in Virginia State and CIAA history. His name still dominates the record books:
As a freshman, Bell earned Co-Rookie of the Year honors, then led the Trojans to the 1975–76 CIAA Championship and a No. 3 national ranking in NCAA Division II — the highest in program history. His accolades include All-VCAA, All-NAIA, All-CIAA, All-CIAA Tournament Team, Honorable Mention All-American honors, and the first-ever CIAA Tournament Hustle Award.
Already a member of both the Virginia State University Hall of Fame and the John Marshall High School Hall of Fame, Bell's CIAA induction cements his status as one of the greatest playmakers the conference has ever seen.
George Leonard
On the gridiron, George Leonard powered the Trojans with relentless consistency and explosive production from 1976–79. By the end of his career, Leonard had rewritten nearly every rushing record at Virginia State.
He graduated as the program's all-time rushing leader with 3,575 yards and 33 touchdowns, and his 1977 season — highlighted by 1,003 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns — earned him CIAA Player of the Year honors.
Leonard's dominance stretched beyond conference play. He went on to compete in the 1979 Black College All-Star Game, representing VSU among the elite of HBCU football. His legacy was permanently etched into Trojan history with his induction into the Virginia State University Hall of Fame in 1991 — and now, the CIAA Hall of Fame adds yet another chapter.
