Bill Text: WV SR27 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Celebrating achievements and contributions of athletes from Marion County
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-02-05 - Completed legislative action [SR27 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2018-SR27-Introduced.html
SENATE RESOLUTION 27
(By Senators Beach, Prezioso, Plymale, Unger, and Stollings)
[Introduced February 5, 2018]
Celebrating the achievements and contributions of athletes from Marion County to the great State of West Virginia.
Whereas, Marion County was founded on January 14, 1842, and named for Francis Marion, also known as the Swamp Fox. It was formed from parts of Monongalia and Harrison Counties and was part of Virginia until 1863 when the State of West Virginia was formed; and
Whereas, Marion County is home to Fairmont State University, founded in 1865 as a private institution and became a state institution in 1867, and Prickett’s Fort State Park, established in 1975 to commemorate life on the Virginia frontier during the late 18th century; and
Whereas, Marion County has a heritage of frontier spirit, hardiness, and perseverance. There is also an appreciation for a competitive attitude and athletic success at all levels, including in the secondary, collegiate, and professional arenas; and
Whereas, Mary Lou Retton, a native of Fairmont, competed in the 1984 Olympics in gymnastics and was awarded one gold, two silvers, and two bronze medals; and
Whereas, Fielding H. Yost, born and raised in Fairview, played college football and served as head football coach at six different colleges and universities, including 25 years at the University of Michigan where they won six national championships and beat Stanford in the 1902 Rose Bowl, the first college bowl game; and
Whereas, Cam Henderson, born in Joetown, was both the head football coach and head basketball coach at Muskingum College, Marshall University, and, most notably, Davis and Elkins College where his combined record was 800 wins, 336 losses and 13 ties. He is credited with creating the 2-3 zone defense and the fast break in basketball; and
Whereas, Mary Hervatin Boswell attended Fairmont State from 1949-1953, played two seasons on the men’s tennis team, and was the first female to letter in a varsity sport at Fairmont State in 1952 and 1953. In 2007, she won the ITF Super-Seniors World Championship; and
Whereas, Marion County has six high schools that have either closed or been consolidated into other schools. These schools include: Monongah, Fairview, Fairmont-Dunbar, Mannington, Farmington and Barrackville. These schools brought home a total of 23 state championship trophies in football, boys basketball, baseball, and wrestling; and
Whereas, Dave Tork, of Fairmont, is a retired pole vaulter who set his personal best (5.08 meters) in June of 1964. He was the Men’s Pole Vault World Record Holder in 1962 and won a gold medal in the Pan American games in Sao Paulo in 1963; and
Whereas, Frank “Gunner” Gatski, born and raised in Farmington, was a center for the Cleveland Browns in the 1940s and 1950s. He played football for Marshall University, joined the Army and fought in World War II, and then finished his studies at Auburn University. As a linebacker and center for the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions he was a four-time AAFC Champion, four-time NFL Champion, and played in one Pro-Bowl game; and
Whereas, Rick Harris attended Fairmont State from 1955-1958 and participated in baseball, football, and swimming. He was a member of WVIAC Championship teams in all three sports. He lettered three years for football and baseball and two years for swimming; and
Whereas, Marion County currently has three high schools: Fairmont Senior, East Fairmont, and North Marion. These three schools have earned a total of 67 state championships beginning in 1903 when Fairmont Senior won the first state football championship, including North Marion’s girls basketball team that won three state championships in a row, and East Fairmont who brought home the state championship in boys cross country in 2017; and
Whereas, Sally Simpson Lambert attended Fairmont State from 1984-1987 excelling on the swim team. She was part of two relay teams that set NAIA national records in 400m medley and 800m freestyle, set school records for 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 400m medley relay and 800m freestyle, and was named the team’s Outstanding Swimmer in 1987.
Whereas, Sam Huff, born in Edna Gas and raised in Farmington, played as a linebacker for Farmington High School, West Virginia University, the New York Giants, and the Washington Redskins. He played in five Pro-Bowl games, one NFL Championship game, and was named to the 1950s All-Decade Team; and
Whereas, Denver Smith played football, baseball, and basketball and ran track for Fairmont State from 1948-1952. He made the 9th longest kickoff return in football history (81 yards) in 1951 and was named to the WVIAC All-Time Team in track. He holds the Over 65 World Record in 60m hurdles, the Over 65 US Record in 100m hurdles, and eight-time national pentathlon and nine-time national decathlon champion for USA Masters; and
Whereas, Dr. Sam Church was Athletic Director and Wrestling Coach from 1972-1980. He coached six NAIA All-Americans, won four WVIAC Championships and led Fairmont State to four top 25 finishes at the NAIA National Tournament; and
Whereas, Lisa Monteleone Barone played women’s basketball for Fairmont State from 1987-1991 where she was two-time NAIA Academic All-American. She scored 1,490 career points and grabbed 826 rebounds. She set the school record for career free throws, free-throw percentage, and single-season free throws; and
Whereas, Nick Saban, born and raised in Fairmont, attended Monongah High School. As a football coach, he has coached at numerous colleges and universities including WVU and most recently Alabama. He has led teams to seven SEC championships and six National championships. He has been designated Coach of the Year 13 times by five organizations including the SEC and Associated Press; and
Whereas, Bill Stewart, from Grafton, attended Fairmont State where he was a three-year letter winner and team captain. He was an assistant coach at several colleges and universities and head coach at VMI and West Virginia. He led the Mountaineers to victory in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl and won the BIG EAST Conference title in 2010; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby celebrates the achievements and contributions of athletes from Marion County to the great State of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate commends the competitive spirit and the willingness to strive for perfection as exemplified by the many athletes who were born and raised in Marion County or attended Fairmont State University; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Marion County Commission, the City of Fairmont, and the Marion County Board of Education.
