Fred Harold “Doc” Sawyer

Booker T. Washington High, Norfolk (1957)
Football

Fred Sawyer was a scholar-athlete who learned the value of hard work in the classroom, respect for others and good sportsmanship. He became an outstanding academic student and played baseball and football. By his junior year he had acquired the nickname “Doc” because he mentored fellow students in mathematics and science courses. In football he became the starting offensive center and defensive middle linebacker. In 1956 he was Co- Captain of Booker T. Washington’s (Norfolk) undefeated VIA Group I State Football Championship team (10-0-0). At Virginia State College (now University) he compiled an outstanding academic record and was an All-CIAA football player in 1960 and 1961 as a two-way offensive guard and defensive linebacker. Upon graduation he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army. As a career officer, he served two tours in the Republic of Viet Nam and rose to the rank of Full Colonel with certifications as a Ranger, Master Parachutist and Bronze Star recipient. In addition to attendance at the Armed Forces Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, he was awarded the Ph.D. Degree from The George Washington University. After his military career, he made notable achievements as an entrepreneur and inventor. He was elected to the Virginia State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.