Virgil Rogers (1989) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Virgil Rogers

Induction:
1989
Class:
1920

1915-17
Baseball
Pitcher
‘20

In 1915, Hal of Fame coach Fred Sefton took over the UA football program. One of the promising players to great Sefton was Virgil “Judge” Rogers. Eventually, Rogers would hell give Sefton his first winning campaign at UA and also earn All-Ohio honors. Rogers was a two-way tackle for Sefton during the 1915, ’16 and ’17 seasons. In addition, Rogers lettered two seasons as a pitcher in baseball. He played along with Hall of Famers Art Haley, Bruce Bierce, tommy Tomkinson, Art Knowlton, and Earl Boedicker, while compiling a 5-3 record in 1917 Rogers played well enough to gain first team All-Ohio honors. “In “Judge”, Akron had one of the most earnest capable players,” quoted the 1918 TelBuch. “He surely was there when it came to tearing holes through the line and he was also a stonewall on the defense.” Rogers entered the U.S. military service after the 1917 season but returned to get his degree in 1920. Later, he earned a law degree from Baldwin Wallace and went to work with Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company. He passed away on November 18, 1969.