WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Sept. 14, 2015 — Two significant alumni gifts to West Liberty University gave the campus something to cheer about in a big way recently.
The Charlie Annett Hospitality Box and the Coach Vince Monseau Wrestling Room were both dedicated on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11 and 12, respectively. The Annett Hospitality Box offers first class seating in a private club setting for football fans who donate to the Hilltopper Athletic Club. The Monseau Wrestling Room offers coaches, athletes and fans an upgrade in wrestling equipment in a renovated training facility and the promise of a wrestling scholarship.
“I am so grateful to the Charlie Annett and the Coach Vince Monseau families for sharing their legacy with us. These two special locations offer huge advantages to our campus community. Students, alumni and visitors will benefit from these gifts for many years to come,” said Vice President of Institutional Advancement Jason Koegler.
Alumnus Charles R. Annett grew up in Wheeling, earned a bachelor’s in history and psychology at WLU in 1966, and was a member of the Hilltoppers basketball team. After graduation, he spent three years in the United States Navy (one in Vietnam) and was awarded service medals. He then spent 20 years working in the transportation industry with Ryder Systems. After successive promotions he landed in Miami at the corporate headquarters.
In 1989, he was recruited by A&F Transportation Co. and he took advantage of an opportunity to buy the business. He focused the company’s efforts on final mile logistics for major big box retailers like Sears and Home Depot. In 2001, he renamed the company FSA Network Inc. Most recently his company merged to become FSALogistix and added more markets to its network.
“Charlie’s pledge to our Campaign for a Great University supported the renovation of West Family Stadium and added the hospitality box which will forever serve as an example to the power of philanthropy. The box seating and special features make it one of the classiest examples in college sports at the DII level,” said Athletic Director Aaron Huffman.
Annett and his wife Letty live in Weston, Fla. but return to Wheeling often and have family in the area. In fact, five additional members of his family also are WLU alumni.
Iconic coach Dr. Vince Monseau led the Hilltoppers from 1973 – 2004, compiling a 359-221-7 wrestling team record. He coached 72 All-Americans, 34 Academic All-Americans and six National Champions and guided the Hilltoppers to a national runner-up finish in 1995. He is forever linked to the WLU wresting tradition.
“We plan to continue the campaign to honor Coach Monseau in a special and lasting way for his many years of outstanding service by raising more funds to support an endowed scholarship fund for Hilltopper wrestling. The tradition of excellence on the mat deserves this recognition. We are grateful to Coach Monseau and his family for the years of hard work and dedication in this grueling sport,” said Koegler.
Monseau, who also coached football and cross-country during his days as a Hilltopper, directed the NAIA National Wrestling Tournament in both 1979 and ’87 and was an administrative assistant for the NCAA Division II National Wrestling Tournament in 2003.
His awards are numerous, including the OVAC ‘Mr. Mat’ award in 1983; NAIA Hall of Fame in 1987; USA Wrestling Bronze Level Member Coach in 1987; WLU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997; NCAA Division II Southwest Regional Coach of the Year in 1996 and 1997; National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002; NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003; and National Wrestling Coaches Association Lifetime Member in 2004.
As an athlete, Monseau participated in football, wrestling and track at West Liberty.
Monseau attained his undergraduate degree from WLU as well as both a master’s and doctorate from West Virginia University.
Coach Monseau still coaches wrestling at Magnolia High School where he is assisted by recent wrestling alumnus Danny Doyle.
His family and friends were on hand to celebrate the room dedication, along with current Head Wrestling Coach Mitch Smith, current assistant wrestling coach Brian Leggett and former head wrestling coach and WLU national champion Brian Davis. Other national champions in attendance include Scott Shipman and Branden Hinkle.
For more information or to make a gift to West Liberty University, please contact Koegler at 304.336.8302 or 304.336.8888.