Blacksburg High School announced its 2017-2018 Hall of Fame Class today. Four inductees will be formally recognized at the BHS Homecoming Game on Friday, October 6.
The new list includes:
Ben Pinkerton (BHS Class 1996) Posthumously
Pinkerton was a four-year letterman in boys’ soccer and part of two state championship teams in 1993 and 1995. He was named first team All-District and second team all-region as a sophomore, first team all-district and all-region, and was honorable mention all-state as a junior, and first team all-district, all-region, and all-state as a senior.
He played two years of varsity football with appearances in the state semifinal in 1994 and region semifinal in 1995 and earned first team all-district and all-region and honorable mention all-state as a placekicker during his senior season.
Pinkerton earned a soccer scholarship to Brevard Junior College in North Carolina and was the starting goalkeeper both seasons. As a sophomore, he led his team to the eight-team Junior College National tournament and was chosen to the 1997 All-South Junior College team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). He completed his collegiate career with two seasons as a goalkeeper at Virginia Tech.
Upon graduation from Virginia Tech, Ben worked as an Admissions Advisor in the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Admissions Office. He was Blacksburg High School’s boys’ assistant soccer coach in 2001 and 2002 on the state runner-up and state champion with records of 21-1-1 and 23-0, respectively. The 2002 team was ranked number 18 nationally by the NSCAA that spring.
Pinkerton began his college coaching career as graduate assistant women’s soccer coach at UNC-Charlotte. He then spent several seasons as assistant women’s soccer coach at North Carolina State University.
Dr. Jon Maher (BHS Class of 1992)
Maher was a 3-year letterman in Basketball from 1989-92, with nearly 1000 points and 750 rebounds. He led the team to multiple District and Regional Championships and a State quarterfinal appearance. His senior year, he was an all-state selection participating in the Virginia state basketball all-star game.
He went on to play basketball at Johns Hopkins University – contributing to two NCAA tourney appearances and was selected to represent the USA in basketball in the 1993 World Scholar Athlete Games.
Maher transferred to Roanoke College, leading team to two additional NCAA tournaments including a Sweet 16 appearance and a Conference championship and in 1997 was named a NCAA GTE Academic All-America selection in basketball.
He was a decorated war veteran earning several commendation medals serving in Operation Enduring Freedom as a Navy Orthopedic Surgeon.
Maher has served as a sports medicine team physician and surgeon for the Boston Celtics and Harvard University, and is currently a physician with Lewis Gale and lives in Blacksburg.
John A. Brotherton (BHS Class of 1964)
Brotherton was a four-year letterman in both football and baseball, leading the Blacksburg Indian’s football team to the 1963 New River District championship. In 1963, he set a NRD single season scoring record with 107 total points in 10 games/17 touchdowns.
As a junior, Brotherton set a district record with an 85-yard punt return , and was selected First Team All-NRD and second team all-state running back in 1963. He coached sandlot football and baseball in Blacksburg for many years.
He worked in law enforcement for 31 years at the Virginia Tech Police Department where he retired as a Major in 2003. Brotherton and his wife Linda live in Blacksburg where they raised their two sons, Scott and Brian
James Settles (BHS Class of 1953) Posthumously
Settles was a 4-Sport Letterman earning 10 Letters in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track and was offered a full-ride athletic scholarship from Virginia Tech in both Football and Basketball.
He accepted the basketball scholarship from Virginia Tech and was a starting guard for the Hokies.
Settles graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in electrical engineering and enjoyed a long career with the Rogers Corporation in technical sales. He married his high school sweetheart, Betsy Henderson, former real estate agent in Roanoke
