Up Front

Compiled by Bill Cornwell THE INSIDER Editor.

The Holiday season is considered a “time of miracles” and that was in full view at the W.Va. Class AAA Football Championship game in Wheeling on December 1st.

Spring Valley lost that game to Martinsburg 31-7, but Timberwolves fans know that a great victory occurred that day as a youngster wearing number 91 on his white Spring Valley jersey walked to midfield with others for the pregame coin toss.

That young man wearing “91” was Wade Smith. If you aren’t acquainted with Smith, you’ll be amazed by his story.

Wade Smith was a 5-6, 130-pound freshman who looked to get experience on the Timberwolves’ 9th grade team this fall until a virus forced him off of the field. In fact, the virus was so intense that it weakened his cardiovascular system.

Smith was taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio for treatment. Doctors there determined Smith’s illness was so severe that he would need a new heart.

The search for a new heart began for Smith, lasting several days and finally ending with a successful transplant on November 7th.

Smith was out of bed and walking only two days after the transplant and he spent November Friday evenings listening to streamed broadcasts of Spring Valley’s playoff games.

Smith was eventually moved to the Columbus Ronald McDonald House as he continued rehab and treatment after the transplant.

Fast forward to championship day in Wheeling, as doctors determined that Smith was well enough, with precautions to attend the game.

With multiple masks covering his mouth, a rain poncho and plenty of clothing, Smith joined the captains for the coin toss, then moved to a sideline wheelchair to cheer on his teammates.

Spring Valley lost to Martinsburg in the championship game for a third straight year, but that’s not important, because we ALL won when we saw a walking miracle on that December Saturday in Wheeling!

Wanda Willoughby

Marshall’s athletic department lost one of its true veterans recently when Volleyball Coach Mitch Jacobs announced his retirement from Division One coaching after 17 years of leadership. Jacobs made that announcement prior to the start of the Conference USA Volleyball Tournament, which was hosted by M.U. at the Cam Henderson Center.

Jacobs last Marshall squad finished 10-19, 3-11 in the league. The Herd failed to make the top 8 in the conference, which would have allowed it to play in the tournament on its home floor.

Jacobs final Marshall coaching record was 298-236 and he led Marshall to Conference titles in 2005 and 2007 (regular season). He was a two-time conference coach of the year.

His most lasting contribution has been the growth of volleyball in the region as coordinator of the River Cities youth volleyball program. That program has produced young talent which has gone on to play in college (many at Marshall).

Jacobs plan to continue his involvement with the River Cities program. Thanks for 17 great years, Mitch!

He’ll now have time to continue one of his favorite activities--watching Marshall basketball from his front-row west bleacher seat at the Henderson Center and being quite vocal about it.

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Marshall Athletic Director Mike Hamrick pulled off a major win for the Herd football program by working out a 12th game late this season.

That game was played at Virginia Tech on December 1st and was won by the Hokies 41-20, putting them in a bowl for the 26th straight year. Marshall had reached bowl eligibility on November 10th in a win over Charlotte.

Marshall and Virginia Tech had both cancelled regular season games on September 15th due to Hurricane Florence. Marshall was to have played at South Carolina on that day, while the Hokies were to have hosted East Carolina.

When it became clear that Marshall would not make the Conference USA Championship game on December 1st, the wheels went in motion to make the MU-Virginia Tech game a reality, but the Hokies had to beat Virginia on November 23rd or there would be no game the next week.

Virginia Tech beat Virginia in overtime, giving the Hokies five wins and the need for that extra opportunity to gain that sixth bowl-eligibility win.

In exchange, Hamrick was able to get a $300,000 financial guarantee from Virginia Tech and a future home-andhome series which will see the Hokies come to Huntington in 2023 and Marshall return the visit in 2024.

The Herd tried to keep Tech out of the bowl hunt, but early mistakes and an effective Hokies offense helped Tech to that needed sixth win. Still, Marshall’s athletic department (and Herd fans) came out of the experience with lots of future benefits. The 2023 season can’t come soon enough.