NORFOLK, VA— Barry M. Kornblau, a 1971 graduate of Old Dominion University who has been an active board member, volunteer, sponsor of the baseball banquet celebrity and donor, has been named the 37th recipient of the 2014 Bud Metheny Award for his contributions to ODU baseball. Kornblau will be honored as part of the annual ODU Baseball Banquet at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel on Jan. 31st which begins with a social at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Hall of Fame Pitcher Don Sutton will be the keynote speaker.
“I am very appreciative of this honor which bears the name of Bud Metheny, who epitomized class, ” says Kornblau. ”I have a tremendous love and commitment for the Old Dominion University baseball program and its traditions and I look forward to this upcoming season as the Monarchs compete in their inaugural Conference USA season.”
Kornblau was appointed to the ODU Board of Visitors on July 1, 2007, and reappointed to a second
four-year term on July 1, 2011 where he is currently serving as Vice Rector. He also served on ODU’s Board of Visitors from 1997 to 1999. Kornblau retired as Chairman and CEO of Summit Realty Group, Inc., based in Richmond. He was Senior Vice President and Director of Apartment Operations for United Dominion Realty Trust from January 1991 through March 1998 and served on the Trust’s Board of Directors from 1993-2001.
He has served on the ODU Alumni Association Board of Directors and the ODU Educational and Athletic Foundation Boards of which he is a current board member and past chairman . In June of 2004, the Barry M. Kornblau Alumni Center was named in recognition of his generous gift to the Alumni Association to transform the former Public Safety Building into a beautiful welcome center for visiting alumni.
“All of us associated with the Old Dominion University Baseball program are so pleased to see Barry receive this year’s Bud Metheny award,” said ODU head baseball coach Chris Finwood. “Barry has been a constant in the ODU baseball program for many years and has remained involved in all aspects of the university as he continues to support not only our baseball program, but many other athletics and academic programs as well. I am proud to call Barry a friend and I am constantly impressed by both his and his wife Mary's commitment and support to ODU. Barry is an alumnus who we should all be very proud to call our own.”
Kornblau was a founder and director of Commerce Bank of Virginia until it was acquired by Southtrust Bank, and is a former trustee of the Steward School. He is a former president of the Richmond Apartment Council and has been an instructor in the Richmond area for various property management
courses. He is a real estate broker, a Certified Property manager, and a Registered Apartment Manager.
Barry and his wife Mary reside in Glen Allen, Virginia.
Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton will serve as the keynote speaker for the annual banquet. Individual tickets are $65 each with a special $45 rate for groups or teams of 20 more more. Table sponsorships, which include amenities such as VIP reception with the headliner and autographed baseballs, are also available. To purchase tickets or tables, please contact the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation (ODAF) at 683-6964.
PREVIOUS BUD METHENY WINNERS
1978 Dave Rosenfield General Manager, Norfolk Tides, Clinic Co-Founder
1979 George Kotarides President, Milton's Pizza
1980 Ed Nagourney Rices Nachman Dept. Store
1981 Bud Metheny Former ODU Baseball Coach
1982 George McClelland Former Executive Sports Editor - The Virginian Pilot
1983 Charlie Sugg Real Estate Assessor, City of Norfolk
1984 Don Fett President, Waymar, Inc.
1985 Clyde McCullough Former Major League Scout
1986 Abe Goldblatt Sports Writer, The Virginia Pilot/Ledger Star
1987 Richard J. Davis President, Tidewater Professional Sports, Inc.
1988 Harry Postove Major League Scout
1989 Hank Foiles Foiles Insurance, Former Major League Scout
1990 Lewis D. Hirschler Hofheimer's Inc.
1991 Richard Alexander Umpire
1992 Bob Rathbun Former Sports Anchor, WTKR-TV, WTAR Radio
1993 Sandra Picken Founder of the Peninsula Muscular Dystrophy Benefit Baseball Tournament
1994 John T. Callahan Former President of Tidewater Baseball League
1995 Gary Wright Tidewater Summer League and AAU Baseball
1996 Paul Fraim Mayor of Norfolk
1997 Roy L. Burton, Jr. Founder of Willard-Lakewood Athletics Assoc. & Granby Booster Club
1998 Paul Vestal President Greenbrier Athletic Association
1999 Ken Young President, Norfolk Tides Baseball Team
2000 Lester Bangs Local Baseball Scout
2001 Warren Spivey President Spivey Rentals
2002 Bill Swann Former Head Baseball Coach - Va. Wesleyan and Asst. Coach at ODU
2003 Tim Miller Chairman ACS Systems & Engineering
2004 Luke Newman President of Greenwich Kitchens Center
2005 Pat Baker Local Dentist
2006 Tony Zontini Coach/Teacher
2007 Towny Townsend Coach/Teacher
2008 Henry Morgan Peninsula Businessman/Peninsula Pilots Owner
2009 Jake Hardison Challenger Little League Baseball
2010 Ed Fraim ODU Fundraiser
2011 Wayne Gomes/Major Leaguer
2012 Tim Druzgala/Businessman
2013 Clyde “ Ducky” Davis/Umpire & Scout