WVSU to Induct Seven Alumni into Sports Hall of Fame
10/6/2010
West Virginia State University's athletic booster organization, the "W" Club, will induct seven of its alumni into the Sports Hall Fame during the University's Homecoming. The ceremony will begin with a brunch at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 16 in the Wilson University Union. Inductees will then don gold jackets and be officially welcomed into the Canty House, site of the Sports Hall of Fame. They will also be recognized during the halftime at the Homecoming game later that day.
The new "W" Club Sports Hall of Fame members are:
James W. Charley ('76) for Football and Baseball
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, James Charley enrolled at WVSU in the fall of 1972 where he was a "walk-on" with the football team. He switched to the quarterback position in his sophomore year and never missed another start. As a junior he played baseball and contributed to the Yellow Jackets winning the Southern Division of the WVIAC that year. He was selected to the All-WVIAC first team at second base.
He met his wife Vicky while attending WVSU. They are the parents of a daughter and a son.
Wilbert C. Goff ('62) for Baseball and Football
Born in Leslie, WV, Wilbert Goff attended Bolling and Crichton High Schools. Hall of Famer Wesley Lynch recruited him in 1959 and he soon became standout hitter and pitcher on Coach Grant Gray's baseball team. He had a career 15 - 4 record, an ERA of 2.38 and pitched a perfect game. He also lettered two years as the starting quarterback on the football team under Coach Chester Burris. He moved to Washington DC where he remained involved with sports. Wilbert Goff served for 40 years on the Washington, D.C. Board of Parole.
Wilbert and his wife have one daughter and one granddaughter.
Thomas D. "Goody" Goodwin ('62) for Basketball
Thomas "Goody" Goodwin was born in Columbia South Carolina and later moved to Washington DC where he played tennis and basketball and was a member of the marching band. "Goody" enrolled in WVSU in 1958 and played three years of basketball. In 1961 the basketball team won the WVIAC Tournament and went on to the NAIA Tournament. He was voted Best Male Athlete of 1961. He was also a four-year member of the marching band and concert band. Thomas was invited to audition for the Detroit Pistons but decided to make a career in the military where he received many prestigious medals and decorations. While serving his country, he played basketball in Korea on the International Army Team.
"Goody" and his wife Cynthia have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
Marvin Layne ('71) for Football and Track
Marvin Layne was a star athlete at Huntington East High School. He brought those abilities to West Virginia State University by being a part of the football, basketball and track squad his freshman season. He was asked to quit football by the basketball coach in order to concentrate on basketball but he opted to play football and participated in track. In football he was a wide receiver and was a contributing factor to the successful winning of the Conference Championship in 1968. He was also part of the nucleus that started a track dynasty by setting school and conference records and going on to win the championship in 1969. After graduation from WVSU he coached children in football, basketball, track, and softball while he continued his career in optics as a General Manager of Lens Crafters and Pearl Vision for many years.
Marvin and his wife Kathy, a former WVSU majorette, have 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
Bryan Poore ('88)Head Basketball Coach
Bryan Poore will be starting his 12th year as Head Basketball Coach at WVSU this season. He was born in Beckley and grew up in Winfield. Bryan graduated from WVSU with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He began his coaching career as Assistant Basketball Coach at Hurricane High School. He then went on to be Assistant Basketball Coach, Interim Head Coach, and Head Coach at the University of Charleston. After leaving the University of Charleston he became Associate Head Coach at Marshall University from 1996 - 1999. He returned to Institute in 1999 to serve as Head Basketball Coach of his alma mater. His overall career coaching record is 235 - 112.
Bryan and his wife Jennifer are the parents of two children. His family can be seen at home games cheering on the "Yellow Jackets"
Herbert Benjamin "Chilly" Thompson ('61) (posthumous) for Basketball
A native of Washington DC, Herbert "Chilly" Thompson attended Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School where he lettered in tennis and basketball. He overcame paralysis early in life and made a remarkable recovery which reflected his drive to succeed in all his endeavors. He enrolled in WVSU and became the second leading scorer behind All-American "Bill" LeFevre. Not only was Herbert an excellent athlete but he was chosen President of his Freshman Class, Vice President of the Men's Senate, and Cadet Captain of the Advanced ROTC program. Herbert graduated from WVSU with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. He was employed as a Mathematical/Systems Analyst at Goddard Space Flight Center, Director of the Manpower Information at United Planning Organization and a Program Analyst/Senior Appeals Examiner from which he retired in 1991. He was one of the first officers in the National "W" Club and most active in writing the bylaws. Herbert "Chilly" Thompson passed away on September 14, 2003.
"Chilly" was the loving father of two daughters and had one grandson.
William "Bill" S. Tosé ('72) Honorary Inductee
William "Bill" Tosé was a graduate of WVSU and Old Dominion University Master's Program in Norfolk, VA. While at "State" his time was spent playing both football and baseball from 1968 to 1972. Bill started coaching basketball in middle schools and worked his way up to the college level. His last coaching position was at the Apprentice School in Virginia where his teams won three AAU National Championships and two Small College National Championships. His total overall record was 940 wins out of 1,437 games. Twenty of his students were named USCAA All-Americans. Bill was also instrumental in recruiting many athletes to WVSU which includes three WVSU Sports Hall of Famers. After 38 years of service with the Williamsburg-James County System, Bill retired in the summer of 2010.
He and his wife Gail are the proud parents of two sons.