West Liberty University head males’s wrestling coach Danny Irwin, left, is proven throughout his run final Saturday to assist elevate funds for the brand new Coach Bobby Douglas Wrestling Complex.
WEST LIBERTY — This previous Saturday, the West Liberty University wrestling program took its motto — Never Stop Climbing — to an entire new degree.
Head Coach Danny Irwin, joined by employees members and supporters, accomplished a marathon run to boost funds for the brand new Coach Bobby Douglas Wrestling Complex, a challenge designed to honor a trailblazer and elevate the Hilltopper wrestling applications for generations to come back.
The group started their journey at St. Clairsville High School, the place they logged the primary three miles on the monitor earlier than setting out towards the West Liberty campus — a 27.6-mile route that examined their endurance, resolve, and goal.
“Running Saturday was an incredible experience,” stated Coach Irwin.
“It challenged me in ways I hadn’t yet been challenged in life. However, nothing compares to the challenges Coach Douglas faced in life to achieve the things that he did. He was one of the original trailblazers in sports history — being the first at almost every stop along his way.”
Irwin was joined by Coach Ridge Kidder, Coach Dakoda Rodgers and Dave Kozusnik, who helped prepare Coach Irwin in preparation for the marathon.
“We were able to raise thousands of dollars during the last several weeks for this run, which is important,” Irwin added. “However, the most important aim is bringing consciousness to this challenge to honor an icon within the sport and within the Ohio Valley.
“I believe this is the most important story that needs to be shared in wrestling at this time. We are rallying more people to the cause each week.”
The marathon served as each a symbolic and tangible step towards the completion of the Coach Bobby Douglas Wrestling Complex, a facility that may present state-of-the-art coaching area for the lads’s and girls’s applications. The challenge goals to honor the pioneering profession of Coach Bobby Douglas, a reputation synonymous with excellence and historical past within the sport.
Douglas’ journey started within the Ohio Valley, the place he grew to become the primary Black Ohio High School State Champion whereas wrestling for Bridgeport High School.
He went on to seize an NAIA National Championship at 130 kilos for West Liberty earlier than breaking additional floor as the primary Black athlete inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1987.
His legacy spans far past the Hilltop, with corridor of fame honors from practically each nook of the wrestling world — together with West Liberty University, the NAIA, the National Association of Intercollegiate Sports, the Arizona Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Iowa (Glen Brand) Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame, and the OVAC Hall of Fame.
Women’s Wrestling Head Coach Troy Bell praised Irwin’s instance and the management tradition surrounding the challenge.
“Leadership is always active — it never stops — and embodies one’s actions,” Bell stated. “Coach Irwin demonstrates the intangible leadership traits daily that few can emulate. I have been around a lot of great leaders in my Marine Corps career, and Coach Irwin fits the mold of Marine leaders that I have worked with. I am proud to be a part of the family culture on the Hilltop.”
The Never Stop Climbing marketing campaign presents sponsorship alternatives for the general complicated challenge, inviting alumni, followers, and neighborhood members to participate in honoring a real legend and supporting the following era of Hilltopper wrestlers. A timeline show of his upbringing via his days as among the finest coaches is deliberate together with getting tales from his associates, colleagues and athletes that folks will have the ability to entry for years to come back.
“Coach Douglas paved the way for so many,” Irwin stated. “Now it’s our turn to keep building on that foundation — to create something that reflects who he is and what he stands for.”