VIRGIL CHEEK
Football, Basketball and Track, 1919-22
Inducted October 18, 1975

William Virgil Cheek’s service to SMS and SMS athletics was recognized with the institution of an award bearing his name which has been presented annually since 1955 to a graduating senior athlete.  A 1923 graduate of SMS, Cheek served on the SMS business faculty from 1924 until 1947 and was also the institution’s faculty athletic committee chairman.  When he died April 22, 1955, the W. Virgil Cheek Athletic Award was instituted, to be given annually to the graduating senior best combininb scholarhi outstanding athletic performance, character, attendance and leadership qualities.  It remains one of the school’s most prestigious graduation honors and the SMS School of Business also presents an annual award bearing Mr. Cheek’s name to the outstanding graduating senior from that academic area.  A native of Buffalo, Virgil Cheek was a four-year football letterman at SMS from 1919 through 1922 and lettered three years each in basketball and track.  He was the SMS football captain in 1921 and came to be known as a much feared defensive end, gaining selection to the mythical all-state collegiate team three years in a row.