The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

October 4, 2008

Six more enter WVU Hall of Fame

Former Mount Hope coach Bartrug among the inductees

By Mickey Furfari

MORGANTOWN — Six more distinguished alumni were inducted Saturday morning into the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony before about 400 people at the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility.

This 18th annual class is composed of Bob Gresham, Roy Lester, Lowes Moore, Dr. Martin Pushkin, Jim Sottile and the late Eddie Bartrug.

They bring to 115 the number of former athletes, coaches and administrators now enshrined. Athletic Director Ed Pastilong said, “We salute your successes and are honored to share with you this special occasion.”

Bartrug, a New Martinsville native, was an outstanding punter and halfback in football from 1928-30. After graduating, he became well known as a high school teacher and coach with stints at Mount Hope, St. Albans and Charleston.

He was represented by son Ed Bartrug Jr. and daughter Lea Ann Coffman. They accepted induction on behalf of their father, expressing thanks for the honor.

Gresham was a three-year letterman as a starting running back under Coach Jim Carlen from 1968-70. He set the school rushing record of 1,155 yards in 1969 on a team that beat South Carolina in the Peach Bowl.

He also played in the National Football League and now lives in Charlotte, N.C.

“I thank God, first of all, and my family and my teammates,” Gresham said. “It’s amazing that I am here. WVU gave me an opportunity to play football and to earn a degree. This is a tribute to my mom.”

He was presented by his son, Robert Jr.

Moore, presented by former coach Jim Amick, was a standout in basketball from 1977-80. The Mt. Vernon, N.Y., native is only one of 11 Mountaineers to score more than 1,600 points in a career.

“It is exciting to be here,” he said. “I thank my coaches and my teammates for this honor. This was my dream (coming to WVU) and I enjoyed it.”

Lester was a three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball from 1940-49, his hitch separated by military service in the Navy during World War II. He went on to be a highly successful coach in Maryland.

“I want to thank all of my coaches and my teammates here,” the Spencer native said. “I really enjoyed my years in Morgantown.”

Sottile, who starred in basketball in the early 1950s, made the All-Southern Conference team as a senior when that league had 16 teams. He also was a graduate assistant to coach Fred Schaus when Jerry West was a freshman.

The Bristol, Pa., native enjoyed a 36-year career as a high school teacher and coach before retiring. He was presented for induction by his daughter, Anita Giampietro.

“My career here was very profitable,” Sottile said. “Most of all I got a wonderful education. I keep in touch with WVU, getting back at least twice a year.”

Dr. Pushkin not only was an outstanding athlete in track and field and soccer as a Mountaineer but returned to serve some 20 years as track and cross country coach. He also was the founder of the WVU Sports Hall of Fame.

He thanked all of the people that made his enjoyable association with the university possible, including Pastilong and former athletic director Fred Schaus. He thanked those two for supporting his programs.

“I also want to thank all my assistant coaches and the student-athletes who made the sacrifices,” said Pushkin, who is retired. He also thanked his wife and children for their support.

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