On Saturday, Longwood University inducted the 2016 Hall of Fame class and Charlotte County resident Billy Catron was included.

As a member of Longwood’s 1982 College World Series baseball team, Catron participated in the ceremony which included the induction of the baseball team and three other members from a variety of sports teams at the university.

“The 1982 team was made up of exceptional players from rural Virginia who played the game hard and never quit,” Catron said.

“I have always had a knack for being in the right place at the right time as a player and as a coach, blessed to have met lifelong friends through the game and honored to have been chosen as a part of a team that put Longwood College on the sports map so many years ago.”

According to a press release from Longwood University, the 2016 Hall of Fame is the sixth class to the inducted with a total of 26 members.

“The four members of our 2016 class were chosen from a remarkable list of nominees,” said Longwood Director of Athletics Troy Austin in a press release. “Entering its 11th year of existence, our Hall of Fame is still relatively young, and as such, the individuals who have made up these first six classes are the cream of the crop of Longwood Athletics.”

The release said the 1982 baseball team competed in the 1982 Division II College World Series under the leadership of coach Buddy Bolding. The program was only in its fifth year at the time.

The baseball team was the first team in Longwood Lancer history to participate in a NCAA championship event, according to Longwood.

Catron said he is thankful to Bolding for recruiting him to Longwood, initiating a coaching and teaching career that has continued today.

In addition to the 1982 Longwood Baseball team, Kelvin Davis ’88, baseball; Tim White ’82, men’s golf; and women’s basketball coach Shirley Duncan were inducted to the 2016 Hall of Fame.

Currently, Billy Catron resides in Keysville and his teaching/coaching career consists of 25 years at Randolph-Henry High School and eight years at Hampden-Sydney College as assistant baseball coach.

“In no other job can I wear a uniform like a player, go to the ballpark every day, spray water, play in the dirt and influence young men in hopefully a positive way,” said Catron.