LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Football Heroes
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the
Spring 2001 issue—new design, new nameplate, and all. I
especially enjoyed the article on Don Nehlen and the one on Homer
Hogue, the University's oldest living football letterman. . .
.The article on Homer Hogue brought the name Nelson Lang '31
to mind. If WVU beat Pitt 9-6 in 1928 I believe it was Mr. Lang
who caught the winning touchdown pass. He was captain of the
football team and also president of the student body. I believe
he attended every home game that WVU played and most of the bowl
games. When he died he requested that in lieu of flowers any
contributions be sent to the Alumni Association. This man bled
Gold and Blue. He was a true gentleman and one of the finest
men I ever knew.
M.C. "Tim" Souder '57
New Braunfels, Texas
Magazine Has
Improved
Congratulations on the new West
Virginia University Alumni Magazine. The bold use of photographs
is certainly enlivening the magazine, and the content has improved
considerably over the last year or two. I must confess that there
have been plenty of times over the years since I graduated when
I have read virtually nothing in the magazine but the Class Notes.
Now, I find plenty to interest me. Articles in the latest issue
[Spring 2001] on West Virginia's art and artists and about Prestonian
Homer Hogue are two examples. I grew up in Preston County and
I knew the name Homer Hogue but was completely unaware of his
football history. I was a student in the School of Journalism
when it was on the third floor of Woodburn Hall and standard
typewriters were the only high-tech equipment available. I studied
with both Dr. Reed and his wife, Elizabeth Frost Reed, who was
my freshman English professor.
Marcelle Ward Farrington '48
Eastham, Massachusetts
Oldest Olympian
Deserves Notice
I read with some interest the sports
section of the Fall 2000 issue. It is truly a shame that the
author did not do a little more research regarding the WVU alumni
who were representing our school in the Olympics during the past
summer. Bruce Meredith '61 was participating in his fourth Olympic
competition, which is a record I am sure that no other WVU alumnus
has ever approached. His representation was for the U.S. Virgin
Islands, where he maintains his official residency. Nevertheless,
at age 63 he was the oldest competitor in the Olympics last year.
If for no other reason, I thought his accomplishments would have
been recognized. I hope other alumni join my efforts to convince
the WVU Sports Hall of Fame selection committee that recognition
of his accomplishments is long overdue. Mr. Meredith was WVU's
first all-American shooter (two times) and was the individual
collegiate small-bore champion in 1961. Basically, he formed
the foundation for the outstanding program that now exists at
the University.
John M. Dorsey '60
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Rename
Mountaineer Field
Rarely do we come across a coaching legend who deserves to be
raised to a higher pedestal than Don Nehlen. He made WVU into
a national powerhouse, without a hint of bending the rules, while
exhibiting sportsmanship—which every sports fan knows is
missing today. I was not fortunate to play for Coach Nehlen.
Neither did I have the honor of meeting him while at WVU. Don't
get me wrong: I have booed and cursed his play calls and decisions
countless times. However, he taught me something that can be
learned only by example. He showed that it takes a better man
to know when he is content and living within his means, than
to prove his worth by salary and ego. During his retirement interviews,
Nehlen talked about his memories over the 21 years in Morgantown.
His face said it all: those memories are worth more than any
salary. If this is what I learned from him, never having met
the man, imagine what he instilled in his players, assistants,
and coaches. To WVU's students, alumni, faculty, and friends:
I urge you to give Coach the honor and recognition he deserves.
Rename Mountaineer Field "Don Nehlen Stadium." To Coach
Nehlen: We need more of your type in sports today. Thanks for
the memories and the victories. "Da-gone it!"
Paul Green '97
Rockville, Maryland