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Marshall University’s head coach from decades ago remains firmly embedded in Mountain State history. Saban currently holds 5 NCAA championships. The Crimson Tide is one of America’s leading college football teams, and its record seems as unstoppable as the university’s elephant mascot. His keen perception and insight bear fruit every season. Coach Nick Saban adds to the “Roll Tide” legacy he has a knack for picking the most talented athletes and assistants available. Most folks, to some extent, are familiar with the University of Alabama’s fabled team.
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Anybody can sign up for these free workout sessions, too! Nick Saban | FootballĪ quiet coach from Fairmont leads the Crimson Tide to victory after victory. Moss also manages a football academy and keeps fit with a bootcamp class in North Carolina.
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He keeps TV audiences entertained with his spirited delivery as an analyst for ESPN. He retired in 2012.įorever energetic, Moss remains an active force in sports. His resume includes the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, and New England Patriots. His sports career only got better from there.Īs a rookie player in 1998, Randy Moss made 17 touchdown receptions - an NFL record. This wide-receiver from Rand made All-American honors as a Marshall University athlete. There’s a park in Fairmont named after her. But Retton never let fame go to her head modest and humble, she now cheers from the stands whenever her daughters compete in gymnastics. She’s still one of the most popular, appealing athletes in the country.
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Later, Retton was crowned “Sportswoman of the Year” by Sports Illustrated and “Amateur Athlete of the Year” by the Associated Press. She also scored perfect 10s on the floor and vault.
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She’s the only American to hold such an accomplishment. The agile gymnast won 5 medals, including a gold in the women’s all-around competition. Mary Lou Retton captured the public’s imagination in 1984, when she dominated the Los Angeles Olympic games. One of the most famous athletes in the world hails from Fairmont! In 1981, Marshall University built an indoor stadium in his honor. And until 2001, Henderson’s football record was unbeaten, too. His basketball record- 362 wins, 16 losses- is unmatched. Not surprisingly, Henderson led the college through scores of victories in both sports. He eventually devised the “fast break” for basketball and the “double-wing offense” in football, among others. This Joetown native left an indelible mark on sports history with his pioneering innovations.Ĭam Henderson’s talent lay in coaching, and he first trained basketball and football athletes at Marshall University in 1935. Among his many successes for that team was the moment he drafted a young athlete named Michael Jordan. From there, the Weirton youth shot hoops for the Baltimore Bullets, Detroit Pistons, St. Rod Thorn played for the university during the 1960s and made All-America honors. This athlete was so impressive that state legislature declared him a “natural resource” in order to retain him for WVU. In fact, Greer competed in 1,122 career games - an accomplishment that remains unbroken in NBA history. He also broke multiple records, including basketball’s top 10 career points, total field goals attempted and made and minutes played. During his time with the Nationals and Philadelphia 76ers, he made all-star honors 10 times. This humble athlete from Huntington so underestimated his abilities, he didn’t unpack his bag after arriving at the Syracuse Nationals’ training camp. WVU also paid tribute to its indomitable athlete with a bronze statue the next time you’re near the Coliseum, keep your eyes peeled for “Mr. What’s more, he amassed so many victories for the Lakers that the team retired his number (44). If you’ve ever seen the NBA logo, that’s West - at least, that’s the unofficial theory. His 6,238 career assists belong to basketball history, too. Incredibly, West won all-star honors every year. He then became the Los Angeles Lakers’ greatest athlete and, according to the NBA website, “one of the greatest guards” in the sport. In his case, the plucky youth channeled his competitive streak into the one thing he could control: basketball.įrom that neighbor’s hoop, West rocketed to stardom at West Virginia University. It’s a characteristic found in many West Virginians. Those years of hardship forged in Jerry West a will of iron. See if you recognize these sports heroes: Jerry West | BasketballĪs a child, this Cheylan native didn’t have much his father worked in the mines, and a neighbor’s rusty basketball hoop was one of his few pleasures. Take a look: our athletes and coaches are some of the most recognized basketball and football figures in America! When it comes to sports, the Mountain State leads the pack.
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