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NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAMEWest Virginia State Chapter |
NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME
West Virginia State Chapter
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President: William Archer Vice Presidents: Garry Bender, Roy Michael Treasurers: Wayne and Diana Bennett Secretary: Diana Archer |
Wayne Bennett, Banquet Chairman Dr. William Welker Jenny Hannan, Photographer, Website Manager Dr. Timothy Miller |
 Sterling Beane, Sr. (left) receives his award from Garry Bender, (WV HOF '08) |
Sterling P. Beane, Sr. -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" Sterling P. Beane, Sr. graduated from Gassaway High School (in Braxton County) in 1965, where he was a three-sport athlete. In the fall of 1965, he attended Glenville State College to play football and major in education. While at GSC, he was a four-year starter and letterman for the Pioneer football team. He also lettered in wrestling and participated in track. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in physical education, social studies, and driver's education. Shortly after graduating, he was drafted by Selective Services. Beane chose to join the West Virginia National Guard, Company B 109 2nd Combat Engineers, so he could begin his career in teaching while still serving his country. During his tenure at Braxton County High School, he taught American History and Driver Education (37 years full time and 13 years substituting). Coach Beane started the wrestling program at Braxton County High School during the 1972-73 season. He has built a wrestling legacy in his 50 years as the only head wrestling coach in the school's history. Beane also coached football for 37 years, where he served as an assistant for 28 years and the head coach 9 years). As the head coach, his teams made the state playoffs twice and earned the first playoff win in the school's history. He also coached baseball for 18 years and high school and middle school track for 6 years. Some of Coach Beane's accolades include 14 Regional Championships and 7 Runner-up finishes. His teams have finished in the top 10 in the state tournament 17 times, with a runner-up finish in 2020. He has won 15 conference championships and had 101 state placers with 6 state champions and 20 runners-up. His overall dual meet record is 778 wins, 260 losses, and 9 ties, with many tournament championships. He has coached several individual conference and regional champions and runners-up, as well as sent wrestlers to compete at the collegiate level. One of his former Braxton County wrestlers was a high school All American in Freestyle and Greco Roman, and one wrestler was a two-time college All-American. Coach Beane has been Conference Coach of the Year, Regional Coach of the Year, and the WV Athletic Director's Coach of the Year many times throughout his career. He was the Little Kanawha Conference Coach of the Year in 2003-2004 and 2017-2018. He received the Kenny Wright Boys Coach of the Year award in 2016-17 and was the 2003-04 NFHS Coach of the Year. Sterling was married to his devoted wife and partner, Judy Morris Beane, for 48 years. They have one son, Sterling P. Beane, Jr. and wife Dr. Monica Beane (of Wake Forest, NC); and one grandson, Sterling "Price" Beane, III of Kona, Hawaii. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Sterling Beane, Sr. with a "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2022. |
 Mark Delligatti (left) receives his award from Joe Naternicola, (WV HOF '09) |
Mark Delligatti -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" Mark Delligatti is the son of Linda Delligatti and the late Anthony Skip Delligatti. Mark graduated from Fairmont Senior High School in 1980 where he was a standout All-State football player and State Wrestling Champion at 167 Lbs. In 1983, Mark graduated from Fairmont State College with a BA degree in Secondary Education and then furthered his education at WVU in 1993 with a MA in Sp. Ed. In 1986, Mark began his teaching career at North Marion High School. After three years, he returned to his Alma Mater, Fairmont Senior High School and remained until retirement June 2021. During his 35 year teaching career, he was an assistant football coach for several years, an assistant wrestling coach for 10 years and then head wrestling coach for FSHS for 24 years. Mark has been named Big Ten and the NCAC Conference Coach of the Year on several occasions. In addition, he was named WVSSAC 1996 State Wrestling Coach of the Year and earned WVSSAC 2002 National Federation Coaches Association Wrestling Coach of the Year. Mark's coaching achievements include: 424-231-1 career dual meet record; Team two time AAA state runner-up; five total top 5 finishes; thirteen top 10 finishes; 188 total state qualifiers, 85 state placers, 22 state champions, 9 runners up, 8-3rds, 12-4ths, 20-5ths, 14-6ths; Outstanding Wrestler Awards to Nick Hedrick, Jeff Courtney -2X, and Zach Frazier; and proudly coached his younger son Vincent to a 220 lb. AA State Wrestler Championship in 2014. Mark and his wife Lynne enjoy spending family time with children Hunter, Maria (Justin) and Vincent (Kristin). In addition, he is the proudest, most loving and caring PAP to his three grandchildren Reed, Lyla and Dean. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Mark Delligatti with a "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2022. |
 Bobby Pruett (left) receives his award from Roger Jefferson, (WV HOF '04) |
Bobby Pruett -- "Outstanding West Virginian" Coach Bobby Pruett graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1961 where he lettered in football, wrestling and track. As he moved into his next phase, Bobby became a standout on the football field, wrestling mat and track during his time at Marshall University. As a wrestler, he finished 4th at 177 and then 3rd in Mid-American Conference at HWT in 1964 while receiving All-MAC honors. As an end for the Herd football team, he set a school record that would stand for 24 years with 193 receiving yards and both touchdowns in a 14-12 win over Buffalo in 1964 was awarded All-MAC honors. After graduation, Bobby became a Coach. His career began at Falls Church HS in Fairfax County, Va. where he was an assistant football coach, head wrestling coach and head golf coach. For several years, Bobby was also a wrestling official. While the head wrestling coach at Hayfield HS, he ran the State Wrestling Championships. His first head football coaching job was at Groveton HS where he was portrayed in movie, Remember the Titans. Pruett earned his first collegiate coaching job in 1979 as the defensive line coach for Alma Mater, Marshall University. For one year in 1981, he became defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator for the Herd. Then he joined the Wake Forest staff with his lifelong friend and head coach, Al Groh. In 1990, he moved to Ole Miss. Pruett, known for his diverse defensive coverages, gained high respect in the NCAA, and as a result, would coach as a defensive coordinator or head coach for the rest of his coaching career. While at Tulane as their DC in the 1993 season, one of his lifelong goals came true. Bobby, who had aspired to coach at U. of Florida for years, applied and was accepted by Steve Spurrier's staff as defensive coordinator. In 1994, they beat the U. of Alabama in the SEC Champion ships, Then played in the Sugar Bowl, but lost to rivals Florida State. In his final season of 1995, Fl. State went undefeated and the defense was ranked TOP 25 in the nation. In the Fiesta Bowl with both teams undefeated, Nebraska won. While coaching at Florida, the head coaching job at Marshall University became vacant, Bobby immediately applied and was hired. Under Pruett, Marshall went 15-0 and won the NCAA Division I-AA Championship. They staked their claim as the best team in Division I-AA history by winning every game by at least 2 touch downs and crushing defending champion Montana. In 1997, he led Marshall on its move up to Division I-A competition and a return to the MAC by winning the championship and playing in its first bowl game in 50 years. In 1998, they won the MAC title, its first Motor City Bowl game and continued moving up. By the time Pruett retired from Marshall in spring of 2005, he had amassed a record of 94-23, the most wins by any Thundering Herd Football Coach- including six conference titles, five bowl wins and the 1996 National Championship. He has coached many high profile National Football League players, including Randy Moss, Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich. In 2008, he came out of retirement to be DC for Virginia and then retired again. Pruett was named MAC Coach of the Year 2X, Nike Coach of the Year, and several others. In 2014, he was inducted into the WV Sports Hall of Fame. In 1999, Bob was inducted into Marshall University Athletic Hall of Fame for his collegiate career in football, track and wrestling. His friend, Wayne Bennett says," He has devoted his life helping young people in their development with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Boy Scouts and Boys and Girls Clubs." Bobby resides in Huntington with his loving wife Elsie. They are the proud parents of Rodney (138 Wt. State Champ), Steven (2X 132 Wt. State Champ) and son Ken. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Bobby Pruett with an "Outstanding West Virginian" award, class of 2022. |
 Arden Sansom (left) receives his award from Rob Archer |
Arden Sansom -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" Arden Sansom graduated from Barboursville High School in 1989. Arden's involvement in wrestling began in 7th grade at Barboursville High School as the team manager and statistician, after previously being involved mostly as the official scorekeeper for his brother's Wagoner's Tradewell Little League baseball team. His first wrestling coach was Rick Newman, a history teacher and trivia player, who remains his friend and occasional trivia teammate to this day. At Barboursville High School, Arden also served as team manager and statistician under fellow Hall of Fame Inductee Coach Ernie Sparks. After earning membership into the Society of Yeager Scholars at Marshall University, Arden remained in Huntington and began working as an official scorer and timekeeper at the WV State Wrestling Tournament. Here, he met and began a lifelong friendship with Coach Bill Archer. In 1992, when Coach Archer and others took a team of high school wrestlers to Freiburg Germany for an international dual, Arden served as one of the team chaperones as well as the official timekeeper for the matches. Finally, and most recently, he served as the Class AA/A Announcer at the State Tournament from around 1996 until 2020. Arden now lives in Galveston, Texas working as a Regional Economist for the US Army Corps of Engineers. He began his career with the Corps at Huntington District in 1995 and had stints in Sacramento, Fort Worth, and San Francisco Districts along the way. He has been an avid disabled scuba diver since 2009, with approximately 325 dives completed. For the past several years, he has become active in the Uniquely Me Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Dallas, TX that raises awareness and shares knowledge for the rare genetic condition called TARS (Thrombocytopenia Absent Radius Syndrome) and Limb Differences with others and their parents. He's a bachelor and has two German Shepherd Dogs - Lex and Heidi. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Arden Sansom with a "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2022. |
 Pat Sole (left) receives his award from Paul Jackson, (WV HOF '15) |
Pat Sole -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" Pat Sole began his wrestling career in 1965 at the age of five. Graduating in 1978 from Parkersburg South High School, he wrestled under legendary Coach Rod Oldham (HOF), assistant Brent Saunders and Paul Jackson (HOF). While at South, Pat won 2X WV State Champion and lX Runner-Up. Also he became 4X National Freestyle and Greco Place winner with All American status. Then he was invited to compete in the Chicago International Jr. World and won, thus a member of the USA Jr. World Team and competed in Europe. Also as a member of the WV All-Star team, he competed at Dapper Dan Pittsburgh Classic and on WV Freestyle Teams against Germany and South Korea. During his Liberty University wrestling years under Coach Bob Bonheim (HOF), he became an NCCAA All American placing third in the Nationals and was chosen team captain. During his redshirt year while training for the 1980 Olympic Trials, Pat won 2 regional Olympic Trials and placed in National Trials to become an Olympic Alternate. Upon college graduation in 1983, Pat retired from competitive wrestling. To fulfill his personal goal of helping others develop young wrestlers, he returned home to his Alma Mater. Pat was an Assistant Coach with Dan Clevenger, Paul Jackson and Tim McCartney and later worked with Terry Collins and Gary Porter (HOF). During these years up to 2005, South became State Champions 10 times, runners-up 3 times, and ranked nationally four times. While working full-time for Dominion/Hope Natural Gas, Pat received his Master's Degree from WVU in safety management in 1995. In 2006, Pat was asked by Liberty U. Head Wrestling Coach Jesse Castro (HOF), his college teammate to come and help re-establish the wrestling program. With this opportunity to Coach NCAA D-1, Pat took with him 6 South graduates, A. Kelly, C. Daggett, C. Porter, S. Smith, Z. McRay and K. Walters. During first season, Liberty captured NCAA Regional Championships with 3 South wrestlers qualifying for NCAA and for next 3 years repeated East Regional Championships. Pat assisted in establishing Virginia Gold Wrestling Club and developing young wrestlers, some became collegiate wrestlers as well. Upon returning to West Virginia, Ohio Valley University, AD Larry Lyons asked Pat to start an NCAA Division-2 program. From 2011 to 2021, they qualified 5X for post-season NCAA Division-2 National Championships with some becoming academic and wrestling All-Americans. Pat has deep gratitude and credits success to his staff of Chris Daggett, Cody Sole, Terry Collins, Tyler George, Nikoloz Varazashvili and Jessie McBurney. He believes that wrestling is the greatest sport known to man and feels honored to have served alongside everyone. Pat would like to say from the bottom of his heart, a special thank you for enduring love and support to his wife Vickie, sons Cody and Dustin, and parents Dale and Ruth Sole. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Pat Sole with a "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2022. |
 Bill Whittington (center) receives his award from Mike Stump, (WV HOF '15) and Mike Stalnaker, (WV HOF '21) |
William Whittington -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" Bill Whittington is a graduate from Martinsburg High School class of 1966 and graduated from Shepherd College in 1970. He earned his Masters Degree from West Virginia University. For ten years, he also served in the United States Army Reserve. In 1970-71, Whittington began his teaching career and taught 48 1/2 years in the Berkeley County Schools system. For 43 years, he taught at Hedgesville High, retired in June, 2019 and has substituted at Hedgesville High every day since. He coached varsity football and still helps with kickers and punters as well as charting the offense and keeps offensive stats on game night. Bill also coached varsity golf for 14 years. While serving as a volunteer coach in 1980, he started the varsity wrestling program. In 1984 as Head Coach, Bill started on full matches and tournament schedule while qualifying 2 Eagles wrestlers and has kept this record with 2 or more every year since. Whittington's teams have garnered 18 county championships, 4 regional championships and 8 regional runner-up teams. He has coached 5 individual WV State Champions, 12 WV State Runners-up, 50 State Place winners, 5 High School All-Americans, one WV State Tournament Outstanding Wrestler (Anthony Regalbuto) and one Dutton Award winner (Regalbutto). "Over all the years while associated with wrestling, the wins, losses and accomplishments have been gratifying and fun with years flying by quickly. All the credit goes to my wife, family, administrators, talented assistant coaches, all the fine young people, their parents and our fans. Most importantly to me is the wonderful relationships I have forged with coaches and athletes everywhere!" In his spare time, he and his wife own and operate Woodbrier Golf Course in Martinsburg. Also he has operated his own painting company for 53 years. Bill and his wife of 40 years, Sharon Lynne reside in Shepherdstown, WV. They have 3 children Bill, Virginia and John and 6 grandchildren. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors William Whittington with a "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2022. |