[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 3, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF COACH CURT NEWSOME

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 3, 2024

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I offer these remarks in honor of Emory & 
Henry College head football coach Curt Newsome, who stepped down from 
his position this summer. Coach Newsome dedicated his life to the sport 
of football, earning coaching positions at several academic 
institutions throughout his career.
  Coach Newsome was born in Hampton, Virginia on October 29, 1958.
  His pursuit and interest in a career in football was great. He 
decided to move to the opposite end of Virginia to play at the 
collegiate level at Emory & Henry College, now University. Coach 
Newsome played as a defensive tackle. Upon graduation, Mr. Newsome 
began a coaching career at Ervinton High School in Nora, Virginia.
  During a 16-year time span, the high schools of Ervinton, Kecoughtan, 
and Heritage benefitted from Coach Newsome's leadership and drive. He 
received praise and recognition from fans, players and fellow coaches, 
resulting in his 1998 selection as the AP and VHSL Virginia State Coach 
of the Year.
  The coaching journey did not end there. His hard work caught the 
attention of Virginia universities and their football programs. Coach 
Newsome landed a coaching opportunity at James Madison University in 
1999.
  In 2004, he helped JMU reach the FCS National Championship game, 
where they would defeat Montana 31-21. This victory became JMU's first 
NCAA Division I-AA championship.
  From 2006 to 2012, Coach Newsome worked for Virginia Tech football as 
an offensive line coach under Hall of Fame coach Frank Beamer before 
returning to JMU.
  In 2014, Coach Newsome became head football coach for his alma mater, 
Emory & Henry. In his first season, Coach Newsome was named Old 
Dominion Athletic Conference Coach of the Year as he compiled an 8-2 
record for the Wasps that season.
  Coach Newsome compiled six winning seasons during his Emory & Henry 
tenure as head coach and oversaw the team's transition from NCAA 
Division III to NCAA Division II.
  His lifelong commitment to Virginia football and the players he 
coached is well documented, serving various coaching roles at the high 
school and collegiate levels.
  I wish my fraternity brother in Beta Lambda Zeta, Coach Newsome, well 
in his retirement. I thank him and Southwest Virginia thanks him for 
his contributions to the game of football in our region.

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