Barry Kornblau Named Bud Metheny Award Recipient
Barry M. Kornblau, a 1971 graduate of Old Dominion who has been an active board member, volunteer, sponsor of the baseball banquet celebrity and donor, has been named the 37th recipient of the 2014 Bud Metheny Award for his contributions to ODU baseball. Kornblau will be honored as part of the annual ODU Baseball Banquet at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel on Jan. 31, which begins with a social at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Hall of Fame Pitcher Don Sutton will be the keynote speaker.
"I am very appreciative of this honor which bears the name of Bud Metheny, who epitomized class," said Kornblau. "I have a tremendous love and commitment for the Old Dominion University baseball program and its traditions and I look forward to this upcoming season as the Monarchs compete in their inaugural Conference USA season."
Kornblau was appointed to the ODU Board of Visitors on July 1, 2007, and reappointed to a second four-year term on July 1, 2011. He currently serves as vice rector. He also served on ODU's Board of Visitors from 1997-99. Kornblau retired as chairman and CEO of Summit Realty Group Inc., based in Richmond, Va. He was senior vice president and director of apartment operations for United Dominion Realty Trust from 1991-98 and served on the Trust's board of directors from 1993 to 2001.
He has served on the ODU Alumni Association board of directors and the ODU Educational and Athletic Foundation boards, of which he is a current board member and past chairman. In 2004, the Barry M. Kornblau Alumni Center was named in recognition of his generous gift to the Alumni Association to transform the former Public Safety Building into a beautiful welcome center for visiting alumni.
"All of us associated with the Old Dominion University baseball program are so pleased to see Barry receive this year's Bud Metheny award," said ODU head baseball coach Chris Finwood. "Barry has been a constant in the ODU baseball program for many years and has remained involved in all aspects of the university as he continues to support not only our baseball program, but many other athletics and academic programs as well. I am proud to call Barry a friend and I am constantly impressed by both his and his wife Mary's commitment and support to ODU. Barry is an alumnus who we should all be very proud to call our own."
Kornblau was a founder and director of Commerce Bank of Virginia until it was acquired by Southtrust Bank, and is a former trustee of the Steward School. He is a former president of the Richmond Apartment Council and has been an instructor in the Richmond area for various property management courses. He is a real estate broker, a certified property manager and a registered apartment manager.
The Kornblaus live in Glen Allen, Va.
Individual tickets to the banquet are $65 each, with a special $45 rate for groups or teams of 20 or more. Table sponsorships, which include amenities such as VIP reception with the headliner and autographed baseballs, are also available. To purchase tickets or tables, call the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation at 683-6964.