Vera L. Austin

1982 Emory & Henry Sports Hall of Fame inductee Vera Lee Austin was a standout athlete on the basketball and tennis courts.

In 1974, Austin was selected to the All-Conference basketball team. The following year, she was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in addition to serving as team captain.

During her two-year tennis career, Austin only lost two matches. Austin played No. 2 Singles in 1974 and No. 1 Singles in 1975. In 1974-75, she played No. 1 Doubles and was undefeated in regular season play. Austin’s success on the tennis court earned her back-to-back Most Valuable Player titles in 1974 and 1975.

Emory & Henry recognized Austin’s success both on and off the courts. In her senior year, she was awarded the E&H Hall Memorial Award for Outstanding Female Athlete and the Snavely Prize for the highest academic average in her graduating class.

Austin was active in a variety of campus activities including serving as president of Cardinal Key National Honor Society as well as membership in the Women’s Athletic Association and Sigma Mu Scholastic Honor Society. After graduation, Austin attended Virginia Tech.

Austin pursued a career in teaching and coaching. In 1978, she was named Volleyball Coach of the Year in the Southwest District, and just one year later was awarded Basketball Coach of the Year.