WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Homecoming turned out to be an ideal day as the weather cooperated and fans enjoyed perfect fall sunshine, Coach Roger Waialae’s Hilltoppers came away victorious and the new West Family Stadium was formally dedicated.
Quarterback Dakota Conwell passed for 252 yards and 3 touchdowns and ran for another score Saturday afternoon as the WLU football team celebrated Homecoming with a 39-16 rout of Fairmont State before nearly 3,000 fans at West Family Stadium. The Hilltoppers (3-3, 3-2) scored on their first possession and never looked back, opening up a 30-0 lead just before halftime and coasting to their eighth win in the last 10 meetings with the Falcons (2-4, 2-4).
West Liberty University students selected Stewart Lane, Williamstown, W.Va. and Jillian Laslo, Shadyside, Ohio, as Homecoming King and Queen.
West Liberty University’s Homecoming 2014 also included the formal dedication of the West Family Stadium at halftime.
Alumnus and major donor, a 1958 graduate, Gary E. West and his wife Flip attended the game with their daughter Kimberly and granddaughter Trivette. The Wests have been constant supporters and passionate leaders of our entire University.
The West Family Stadium name also honors Gary’s two brothers, who are also alumni. James, from the class of 1953, and Jack, from the class of 1957. James is now deceased but his memory will live on in the West Family Stadium name. Jack, who could not attend the game due to illness, resides in Florida.
“West Liberty University, its students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators, offers its eternal gratitude to the West Family for the largest gift in our history and for the winning stadium we are now enjoying. A very special thank you comes from the West Liberty University Foundation and the Board of Governors. The West Family, without a doubt meets the definition of philanthropist and we are proud to have Gary, Flip, their daughter and granddaughter with us today,” said Vice President of Institutional Advancement Jason Koegler.
Other honorees at the Homecoming game included members of Coach George Kovalick’s 1964 baseball squad. These former Hilltoppers won a West Virginia Conference championship and went on to win the national championship at the NAIA World Series in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Led by future Major League ace Joe Niekro and NAIA World Series MVP Frank Ujcich, the star-studded squad included Gordon Long, Ron Romanoski, Dave Kovalick, Dave Forgash, Dave Scherr, John Pavlisko, Jim Benedetto, Bob Kota, Gerry Kraynick, Gary Zelinski, Glenn Petty, Ray Prantil, Fred Chambers, Joe Doerr and Floyd Shuler.
Additionally, the 2014 Wall of Honor dignitaries were applauded on the field. This accomplished trio of professionals include from the class of 1963, Columbus, Ohio attorney John William Hoppers; from the class of 1977, West Virginia Senate President Jeff Kessler; and also from the Class of 1977, West Chester, PA Pharmaceutical Leader Mary Hinzman Whitman.