Andy Upton Inducted into West Virginia Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame

BETHANY, W.Va. – On Saturday, April 15, West Virginia Wesleyan College inducted their class of 2023 into the Athletics Hall of Fame. Bethany College track and field head coach Andy Upton was among the inductees, going in as a member of the 2002 West Virginia Football coaching staff. For Upton, being inducted into the West Virginia Wesleyan College Hall of Fame meant a lot to him.

"WVWC was a special place where I had the opportunity to learn from two of the most legendary coaches in the state of West Virginia in their respective sports and I also met my wife who I have spent the last 20 years of my life with," said Upton. "Bill Struble and Jesse Skiles taught me everything there was to know about football, track & field, and just life in general."

The 2002 West Virginia Wesleyan Football team began the year with a 0-3 record but bounced back with seven wins over their final eight games to finish 7-4 overall and 6-1 in West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) play. They finished that season as WVIAC Champions and were one of the top offenses in the conference, averaging 28.6 points per game. Six Bobcats were named All-WVIAC players during that season and the team's seven wins were the third most by a single team since that 2002 season.

"While I was at WVWC, I was fortunate enough to be a part of some great staff and coach some phenomenal athletes," added Upton. "However, in 2002, that staff and that Championship football team was one that will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am deeply honored to be a part of history and join that group in this year's HOF class."

Upton spent five years at West Virginia Wesleyan, where he was an assistant football coach and served as an assistant track and field coach for one season.

"The experiences we shared on that journey are ones that I have always cherished and ones that I still use at Bethany on our quest to our next Championship here with the Track & Field/XC programs" added Upton.

The West Virginia Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony was held on Saturday, April 15th with the football team being among the six members of the Class of 2023. To read a full synopsis of each of the inductees in the WVWC Class of 2022 Hall of Fame, click HERE.