James McIlvaine Riley

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James McIlvaine Riley (May 16, 1849 - May 6, 1911) entered the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in the fall of 1866. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Riley was always a favorite with classmates, and was a good public speaker and athlete. He was a member of VMI's first baseball team in the fall of 1866, playing second base and eventually serving as the team's captain. James Frank Hopkins, Greenfield Quarles and Riley soon became close friends and founded Sigma Nu Fraternity. Riley was elected the first Commander (or President) of the chapter at VMI, and served as the first Regent of Sigma Nu fraternity, a position he held for ten years. He died at age 61 and is buried in a plot in Bellefontaine Cemetery near the St. Louis Alumni chapter.