Hill receives ND’s highest honor

Former Grand Forks boxer Virgil Hill received the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award last night (Monday).

The ceremony was held in Bismarck where many of Hill’s matches were held.
Governor Doug Burgum presented the award to Hill.  “For those of you and those of us who lived through the 1980s and 90s … the name Virgil Hill is synonymous with boxing.”

In August, Gov. Burgum announced that Hill would be the 48th recipient of the award, which is the state’s highest honor for its citizens.

Hill’s friend and former trainer, Al Larsien, who grew up with Hill from grade school on up, called Hill an extremely talented athlete and “fierce competitor” who wouldn’t be outworked. “He just did not have any quit.”

Hill won a silver medal in the 1984 Olympics. He posted a professional record of 50 wins, and 7 losses, with 23 knockouts.  Hill called the Rough Rider Award “the biggest award that I’ve ever received.”  Hill credited the work ethic he learned in North Dakota for his success.