By Wayne Bennett
With February being Black History Month, I thought I would share a few important names of black athletes and coaches who have made a difference in our area.
The first black high school state champion in West Virginia was Terry Dunscomb of Fairmont West. He won his initial title in 1956 and added two more titles in 1957 and 1958. He was the second wrestler in West Virginia history to win three state championships.
The first black wrestling referee in our area was Bill Stone. Stone was a three-sport athlete, graduating from Woodrow Wilson in 1965. Not only did he referee, he directed the YMCA youth wrestling program for several years.
The first black wrestling coaches in our area were Malvin Ross and Marion Gordon. Ross coached multiple sports at Stratton Junior High while Gordon has coached at Greenbrier East in several capacities. Ross is deceased and Gordon is still active with East’s basketball program.
Marvin Lawson is the only black athlete from Raleigh County to win a wrestling state championship. Lawson, from Woodrow Wilson, won the 167-pound class in 1985.
Another Flying Eagle, Ron Boyden, came close in 1969. Boyden, a Beckley pharmacist, lost his only match that season in the state finals.
Stone, Lawson and Boyden are members of the Raleigh County Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Jeff Alexander was the only black wrestling coach at Beckley Junior High. Alexander wrestled at Woodrow Wilson and Concord College. He coached several good teams at Beckley and is currently the head football coach at Liberty.
John Boyden was the first black youth wrestling coach in our area. He coached at that level for many years.
Another familiar name is Donald “Bull” Parker. Parker qualified for the state tournament two times. He was fourth in the heavyweight class in 1968. Most people are more familiar with his rendition of the national anthem at local sporting events. Parker also wrestled at Woodrow Wilson.
Other black athletes from our area who have done well over the years are Aaron Morton, Terry Morris, Carl Cousins, Phil Carson, Kenny Bradley, Joe Hurtte, John Young, Felipe Newsome, Joe Pearson, Kenny Cox, Stephen Ross, Josh Moyer and Demetrick Berger.
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With most of the state conference tournaments canceled or postponed Saturday, it leaves a dilemma for high school squads. The Coalfield Conference tournament has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at Independence Middle School.
Here’s hoping it will happen.
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This week a squeeze of the water bottle goes to Randy, Pookie and Suzy, big wrestling fans and avid readers of this column.
