Buckhannon, W.Va. — Five individuals and the 1978-89 men’s basketball team will be inducted into the West Virginia Wesleyan College Hall of Fame on Feb. 16.
The individuals include legendary football coach Bill Struble, soccer standout Ron Steel, four-sport athlete John Herbert Leffard, Jr., track and cross country star Shawne Armstrong, and one of Wesleyan’s greatest all-time volleyball players, Kate Markovich Weeks.
Bill Struble, a 1975 graduate of Wesleyan, is the all-time leader in football wins as head coach with 113. Struble spent 26 years as head coach and led the Bobcats to three WVIAC titles, along with being WVIAC Coach of the Year three times. Struble was a member of the Wesleyan Football Team from 1972 to 1975 and played on the offensive line.
Ron Steel, a 1976 of graduate, played four seasons for the Men’s Soccer Team. Steel had 55 goals in his career, including 19 in 1972. In 1973, Steel was tabbed part of the All-South Team, and All-Region team. He was also four-time All-Conference WVIAC selection.
John Herbert Leffard Jr., Class of 1954, was one of the best all-around athletes in the 1950s. Leffard was captain of the Football Team in 1954 while playing defensive end and linebacker. He was also captain of the Basketball Team in 1953 and was known for his rebounding. As a member of the Track Team, Leffard went unbeaten in the shot put and participated on some of the relay teams. Leffard was also a member of the Baseball Team during his tenure at Wesleyan and played center field.
Shawne Armstrong, Class of 1996, was a member of the Men’s Cross Country and Track Teams at Wesleyan. Armstrong was three time First-Team All-WVIAC in Cross Country including a runner-up finish in 1994. The 1994 Men’s Cross Country team was noted for being one of the strongest teams for Wesleyan in the 1990s. Armstrong was also the 5000-meter WVIAC champ on the track in 1993, and the 1500-meter champ in 1994. Armstrong was most noted for being a two-time national qualifier in the marathon including finishing 13th in the nation in 1994.
Kate Markovich Weeks, Class of 1995, was a member of the Volleyball team. Weeks was part of Wesleyan’s only 40 win team. The 1992 season was the most memorable for Weeks who was tabbed First-Team All-East Region, and Honorable Mention NAIA All-American. Weeks was three-time First Team All-WVIAC along with being WVIAC Player of the Year in 1993.
The 1978-79 Men’s Basketball Team finished with a 28-6 record. Led by Gary Hess, and assisted by Charlie Miller, Wesleyan was WVIAC champions, District 28 Champions, NAIA Tournament participant, and selected to represent USA in the Mexico City Games. Members of the team included: Mark Davis, Jim Brogan, John Bates, Rich Cameron, Tim Dixon, Mike Williams, Dennis Griffin, Mike Cardamone, Doug Grover, Doug Weir, Rob Griffin, Ken Nichols, and Tony Davis (Manager).
The 2019 Hall of Fame inductees will be honored on Feb. 16.
