May 24, 2005

As a Longwood University student, Jimmy Yarbrough was a high-scoring guard on the first two men’s basketball teams. Later, as an admissions counselor, he worked to find scholarship money so that high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds could attend Longwood. Thus, it’s appropriate that one of Longwood’s most popular employees, who died last month, will be memorialized with a new award for student-athletes that will honor his memory as well as a new scholarship fund primarily for first-generation college students, which he administered, bearing his name.

Longwood President Patricia Cormier announced during an on-campus memorial service for Yarbrough, senior associate director of admissions, that the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has initiated an annual award named the Jimmy Yarbrough Citizen Leader Award, which will recognize a student-athlete who exhibits exemplary performance academically, in intercollegiate competition and in service to the community. It will be awarded for the first time at the athletic awards banquet in the spring of 2006. Yarbrough played basketball at Longwood for two years (1976-77 and 1977-78) and still holds the single-game scoring record (46 points) and record for field goals (16) in a game while ranking third in career scoring average (19.5).

In addition, Dr. Cormier announced that what had been known as the Admissions Incentive Scholarship has been designated the Jimmy Yarbrough Admissions Opportunity Scholarship Fund. The scholarship helps an average of about 35 students per year, and the size of each scholarship varies depending on financial need and academic profile, said Bob Chonko, dean of enrollment management. The fund was established by then-President Janet Greenwood around 1981. Contributions may be made by visiting or phoning the office of University Advancement (Lancaster Hall, Room 130, 434.395.2130).

Yarbrough, a Longwood alumnus (B.S. ’82, M.S. ’96), died April 14 after battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for eight years. He had worked in the admissions office since 1989 and had developed a devoted following among high school students for his legendary skill as a speaker. His wife, Allie, also a Longwood graduate (B.S. ’78, M.S. ’82), is co-principal of Prince Edward County High School.

The memorial service, May 3 in Jarman Auditorium, included personal remembrances from Bob Chonko, dean of enrollment management, Patrice Randall, assistant director of scholarship administration for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, Karen Schinabeck, associate director of financial aid, and Justin Wilkes, class of 2005. Friends fondly recalled Yarbrough’s ever-present smile and upbeat personality, even in the face of the illness that ultimately claimed his life at the age of 48. Testimonies also were given on his love of cooking, his distinctive suits and colorful ties, and how he liked to say that he’d have scored more points during his Longwood basketball career if the three-point rule had been in effect.

“Jimmy was a man of substance, of character, a model of perpetual optimism and commitment to improving the lives of others,” said Dr. Cormier. “He was passionate about the right stuff – programs for less fortunate young people, devotion to his parishioners and a deep and abiding faith in God. He was principled, gentle, kind and compassionate and adored his family, and they him. His exuberance was infectious, his humor unmatched, his conscientiousness unparalleled.”