Submitted Photo Virgil Hill, raised in North Dakota, won a silver medal in the 1984 Olympics, held the world title in both the cruiserweight and light-heavyweight classifications and was 51-7 as a professional with a 26-0 record when fighting in North Dakota.

“My dad was my hero,” said Virgil Hill, former world boxing champion and North Dakota Native. “He was a plumber and got up, went to work every day and no one cheered for him. No one patted him on the back. He was just strong, mentally tough – everyone was that way that I grew up around. That work ethic is in the roots of North Dakota and I didn’t know any different. That was ‘the norm’ to me based on the people I grew up with.”

Anyone from North Dakota has historical knowledge and ties to people who are from North Dakota, and achieved success in life. Phil Jackson, Carson Wentz, Josh Duhamel, Angie Dickinson – even Lawrence Welk is part of that crowd. Few have the same level of honor as the unofficial mayor or nearly every town in North Dakota as Virgil Hill.

One of the main reasons for that bond with the people is the fact that Hill brought much of the spotlight with him back to his roots. Of the 58 fights he had as a professional, 26 of those took place in the great ‘Peace Garden State’ with 12 of those fights being title fights.

“I drew strength from the vibe and crowd here at home,” said Hill of the fights taking place in North Dakota. “I also wanted to share in the process, the ‘fame and fortune’ that comes with the titles being defended or fought for. I have lifelong friends here and it was important for me to have them be a part of that with me.”

In today’s society and world, it is much easier to maintain a connection with anyone else in the world via the digital platforms available to kids in elementary school. In the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s that was not the case.

The only way for fans to connect with heroes and follow their exploits was to attend events, read newspapers and magazines. Hill, who was officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on November 12, 2012, as part of the Class of 2013, was part of that era of boxing.

“I tried to fight three, four times a year,” said Hill. “My dad had to plumb several houses a year to make a living. He could not make a living doing just one house. I was the same. One fight a year would not make a living – as it does today – you had to stay active and keep working. By having the events at various locations around the state [North Dakota], I was able to share that with those that I knew and loved here.”

Would Hill trade his time in history for the benefits of today’s world?

“No. I would not have what I have in my life now or the experiences I have had without being in the world when I was,” said Hill. “I started boxing at a gym with ‘old timers’ that came up in the 30’s and 40’s and that was a blessing in disguise.”

Watching the fights that Hill had, there are a couple of things that stand out. His lead hand is fast, hard and from shoulder to elbow, the jab, hook and uppercut start and look the same until the end of the punch.

“Most people don’t know, but I am left handed,” said Hill. “The old timers said I would have a harder time getting fights as a southpaw so they trained me orthodox to make sure I would get fights easier. The outcome of that is my lead punches are from my dominant hand instead of my off hand.”

The other noticeable item is the length of intensity that flurries would last when Hill turned on the speed. That came from a life changing time of his life at the 1984 Olympic Games. At the games, Hill met Denean Howard who was a member of the team as a sprinter.

“If you are in a sprint or a flurry of pinches, the body needs the same type of reaction and function,” said Howard, who is now coach Hill and the wife of Virgil, his partner in life. “We worked on interval training together since I was still competing at a high level while he was fighting.”

The couple still do those joint training efforts with the youth they mentor and coach. Mrs. Hill has coached track and field for nearly 30 years and Virgil now runs a boxing gym in California where his wife works with the athletes three days a week with interval training.

“I don’t know another person, or athlete that works as hard at improving what the body can do,” said Virgil of his wife. “Having her with me from the [Olympic] games changed my training focus and level or ability.”

The final vibe that comes from watching the fights from the past is the way Virgil attached his chosen profession.

“I grew up playing football- and boxing,” said Virgil. “I wrestled- and boxed. Whatever I was doing, I was boxing too. I loved the gym time. I loved the competition. There is little about the profession I dislike and much of that is mirrored by my wife. Our desire to be the best versions of ourselves regardless of it being sports, work, family or community – we love being the best we can be as individuals and as a team. We want to share that with our kids at home and those we coach and train.”

The connection to North Dakota is never far from the couple.

“We knew they would be in town for some family activities,” said 4 Bears co-general manager Patrick Packineau. “Anytime they make a stop here, we like to get together and have a good time. We have been friends for a very long time. His heart is never far from here.”

Virgil has quietly been visiting some of the local gyms to promote the sport and greet fellow pugilists. Once a North Dakotan, always a North Dakotan.