Hall of Fame latest honor for youth sports staple

Richard Herman has always had a penchant for coaching youth sports.
It developed, in part, from his own youth - a high school football coach who mentored him throughout his career.
Herman said he knew he wanted to pursue a similar path.
Now a veteran of the Belvoir youth sports program, Herman is being honored in the Fairfax County Football Hall of Fame March 14 in McLean.
The accolade is yet another achievement for a gentleman who's been recognized in sports across the board.
Herman has received several awards for his work, including the President's Volunteer Service Award in 2002, the Fairfax County Youth Basketball League Robert B. Dix Jr. Community Service award in 2005 and the FCYBL Harry Barton Community Service award in 2007.
The trophy cabinet sounds pretty full, though Herman isn't in it for the hardware.
"I don't do it for the awards," he said. "It's something that comes with the program. It's not about the accolades, because that's not what I'm seeking - I just love doing what I'm doing. They're always great to receive, but that's not my goal."
The goal, of course, is to help children achieve their full athletic potential.
Herman, a friendly but firm leader, has coached everyone from children to adults and nearly every sports from baseball to basketball.
An accomplished athlete himself, Herman came to Belvoir in 1992. Initially, he served as an assistant football coach, but also coached baseball and created the Barracudas basketball program and Sonic Boom track program in 1999 and 2000, respectively.
He currently serves as the commissioner for Belvoir's football and track teams.
Still, football has always been one of his first loves.
"I've always been a fanatic about football," Herman said. "It's a sport I enjoy, probably more than the others. I've always enjoyed being around it, trying to teach players the ins and outs of the game."
There's also no sign of Herman slowing down. The very mention of his retreat from youth sports, he said, makes everyone laugh. "I know as long as I'm able to muster some energy, I'll be out there, whether it's here or moving to Florida to live for retirement," he said.
Despite the work he's done and the recognition he's gained, Herman wasn't fully convinced that he'd made it to the hall of fame.
"I didn't believe it," he said, laughing. "It probably wasn't until I was sent a copy of the press release that I felt it was true, and even after that, I kept thinking, 'They'll change it. They'll find someone else.'
"Then I looked at it a few more times and thought, 'Well, if they sent the thing from the county, I guess it has to be true.'"
True indeed. Herman now finds himself prepping for another speech, something he said he's never been fond of doing. Still, he has a general idea of what will come out of his mouth that day. "I plan to thank everyone - thank God for letting me live to see another day, my family and all the folks I've been involved with over the years.
"I also want to thank my high school football coach for working with me. I was just a kid that didn't have a father growing up. He took me as a young man and ran with it. I'm grateful for that.
"He was real old school - a quiet guy, but tough," he added.
A compliment Herman has received himself, time and time again.