The 50 Greatest Sports Figures From West Virginia
There's a difference between loyalty to the home team--athletes
imported to play for our local colleges and pro franchises--and
the deep emotional bond we share with hometown heroes, the local
legends we knew back when. They are the boys and girls from next
door, or the next town. We watched them grow up, watched them
play when it was still play. Unfortunately, these luminaries are
almost inevitably dispersed because of sport's mercenary nature,
lured away by scholarships or contracts. Well, we're bringing 'em
all back home for the millennium--not necessarily to where they
were born, but to where they first showed flashes of the
greatness to come. Thus, Broadway Joe is in Pennsylvania, not
Alabama or New York; and the Mailman is in Louisiana, not Utah.
The result: the top 50 from your state and, on the following
pages, a list of those from all 50 states. In short, the ultimate
home teams.
#1
Jerry West
CHEYLAN
Two-time All-America at West Virginia; led Lakers to 1972 NBA
title as player; as G.M. helped build L.A. dynasty that won five
NBA crowns in '80s.
#2
Mary Lou Retton
FAIRMONT
At 1984 Olympics became first U.S. gymnast to win gold in women's
all-around competition.
#3
Hack Wilson
MARTINSBURG
In 1930, Cubs slugger had major-league-record 190 RBIs; also had
56 homers, an NL record that stood for 68 years.
#4
Randy Barnes
ST. ALBANS
Holds the world indoor and outdoor shot put records; won gold
medal at 1996 Olympics.
#5
Hal Greer
HUNTINGTON
First African-American to play for a major West Virginia college
team; had 1,377 points for Marshall and averaged 19.2 points in
15 NBA seasons.
#6
Sam Huff
FARMINGTON
All-conference two-way lineman at Farmington High; five-time
All-Pro linebacker with Giants and Redskins from 1956 to '70.
#7
Lew Burdette
NITRO
Teamed with Warren Spahn in Milwaukee to form baseball's best
righty-lefty duo from 1953 to '61; won three games in 1957 World
Series.
#8
Hot Rod Hundley
CHARLESTON
Two-time All-America at West Virginia was top pick of 1957 NBA
draft, by Royals; averaged 8.4 points in six seasons.
#9
Earle (Greasy) Neale
PARKERSBURG
Batted .259 for Reds and A's from 1916 to '24; coached Eagles to
'48 and '49 NFL titles.
#10
Joe Stydahar
SHINNSTON
Renowned 60-minute man made four Pro Bowls; led Bears to NFL
titles in 1940, '41 and '46.
#11
Randy Moss
RAND
DuPont High football star was state high school basketball
player of the year in 1994-95; 28 TD catches at Marshall in '97
tied NCAA record; '98 NFL Rookie of the Year with Vikings.
#12
Clair Bee
GRAFTON
Coached Long Island University basketball team to undefeated
seasons in 1935-36 and '38-39; won NIT title in '39 and '41.
#13
Chuck Howley
WHEELING
Five-sport letterman at West Virginia; 1970 Super Bowl MVP as
Cowboys linebacker.
#14
Cam Henderson
MANNINGTON
Helped pioneer modern fast break and zone defense; was 362-160 as
Marshall coach from 1935 to '55.
#15
Ira Rodgers
BETHANY
West Virginia football, basketball and baseball star took up golf
in 1928; won state amateur in '29.
#16
John McKay
SHINNSTON
From 1960 to '75 coached USC to four national football
championships and three undefeated seasons.
#17
Curt Warner
PINEVILLE
Set 41 Penn State football records; Seahawks' second alltime
leading rusher, with 6,705 yards.
#18
Wilbur Cooper
BEARSVILLE
Lefty Pirates hurler won 20 games four times from 1912 to '24,
including NL-best 22 in '21.
#19
Vicky Bullett
MARTINSBURG
Charlotte Sting forward played on 1988 and '92 U.S. Olympic
women's basketball teams.
#20
Frank Gatski
FARMINGTON
Four-time All-Pro center won eight AAFC and NFL championships
with Browns and Lions from 1946 to '57.
#21
Dave Tork
FAIRMONT
Six-time Southern Conference champion at West Virginia set world
outdoor pole vault record in 1962, indoor mark in '63.
#22
John Kruk
CHARLESTON
Baseball and basketball star at Keyser High; three-time All-Star
batted .300 in 10 major league seasons; played for 1993 NL
champion Phillies.
#23
Dick Huffman
CHARLESTON
All-America tackle for 1946 co-SEC champion Tennessee was Pro
Bowl tackle with Rams.
#24
Mary Ostrowski
PARKERSBURG
Led Parkersburg Catholic to 88 straight wins and two state high
school basketball titles; 1982 All-America forward at Tennessee.
#25
George Cafego
OAK HILL
Tailback-safety helped lead Tennessee to 11-0 season in 1938,
unbeaten regular season in '39.
#26
Rod Thorn
PRINCETON
In effort to encourage him to play for West Virginia, legislature
declared him state "natural resource" in 1959; averaged 10.8
points in NBA career; now league's senior vice president of
operations.
#27
James Jett
SHENANDOAH JUNCTION
Raiders receiver was on 1992 gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic
4x100-meter relay team; more than 3,900 receiving yards in seven
NFL seasons.
#28
Dennis Harrah
CHARLESTON
Rams guard appeared in six Pro Bowls from 1975 to '87.
#29
Bimbo Coles
LEWISBURG
Leading scorer in Virginia Tech history was first player
to lead Metro Conference in scoring three straight years; has
averaged more than four assists over 10 NBA seasons.
#30
Bruce Bosley
GREEN BANK
All-America offensive tackle at West Virginia in 1955 played in
four Pro Bowls for 49ers.
#31
Marshall Goldberg
ELKINS
Running back led Pitt to 1937 national title and was runner-up
for the Heisman Trophy in '38.
#32
Rocco Gorman
CHARLESTON
Coached Charleston High football team to 118-31-4 mark; his 1920
team outscored opponents 379-0.
#33
Kitty Frazier
CROSS LANES
Won three national archery championships in the 1980s.
#34
Jason Williams
BELLE
DuPont High teammate of Randy Moss was 1994 state basketball
player of the year; '99 NBA first-team All-Rookie selection with
Kings.
#35
Carl Lee
CHARLESTON
Three-time Pro Bowl cornerback intercepted a career-high eight
passes for Vikings in 1988.
#36
Norm Willey
HASTINGS
Played on first Marshall bowl team, in 1947; two-time Pro Bowl
defensive end with Eagles.
#37
Russ Parsons
CHARLESTON
Coached Stonewall Jackson High to eight straight state track
titles from 1948 to '55; 246-94 as football coach and 274-63 as
basketball coach.
#38
Fern (Peachy) Kellmeyer
CHARLESTON
At 15 was youngest tennis player invited to U.S. Nationals at
Forest Hills, in 1959; advanced to round of 16 in '60.
#39
Mike Barrett
RICHWOOD
West Virginia Tech basketball star played on 1968
gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic team.
#40
John Zontini
SHERMAN
Ran for 2,135 yards on just 79 carries at Sherman High in 1929;
set state javelin record (172'1") in '31.
#41
Bill Campbell
HUNTINGTON
Beat fellow West Virginian Ed Tutwiler (#46) for 1964 U.S.
Amateur golf title; won 15 West Virginia Amateurs from '49 to '75
and '56 Mexican Amateur.
#42
Ed Etzel
MORGANTOWN
Won gold in free rifle, prone at 1984 Olympics; last U.S. male
to win medal in the event.
#43
Mike D'Antoni
MULLENS
Left Marshall in 1973 as school's alltime assists leader; spent
13 seasons with Milan of the Italian League.
#44
J.R. House
NITRO
Nitro High quarterback set national high school records for
career passing yards (14,457), completions (1,103) and attempts
(1,725) in 1998.
#45
Steve Swisher
PARKERSBURG
Three-time All-MAC catcher at Ohio University was Cubs' top pick
in 1973 draft; All-Star in '76.
#46
Ed Tutwiler
MOUNT HOPE
Won 11 West Virginia Amateur golf titles from 1939 to '63.
#47
Christy Martin
BLUEFIELD
Two-time all-state basketball player at Mullens High; now WBC
women's lightweight champion (38-2-2, 30 knockouts).
#48
Don Robinson
CEREDO
Ceredo-Kenova High star won 109 games for four major league teams
from 1978 to '92; pitched for '79 world champion Pirates.
#49
Anne White
CHARLESTON
Tennis pro was ranked as high as 19th in world (1987); famous for
spandex body suit she wore at '85 Wimbledon.
#50
Danny Heater
BURNSVILLE
Burnsville High guard scored national-record 135 points against
Wilden in 173-43 victory on Jan. 26, 1960.
B/W PHOTO: RICHARD PHILLIPS #1 Jerry West