WVU Coaches Pay Visit to Mid-Ohio Valley, Strengthening Local Ties and Recruiting Presence….

WVU Coaches Pay Visit to Mid-Ohio Valley, Strengthening Local Ties and Recruiting Presence….

 

PARKERSBURG, W\.Va. – Coaches from West Virginia University (WVU) made a special visit to the Mid-Ohio Valley this week, making stops at several area high schools and meeting with student-athletes, school officials, and community members as part of their ongoing outreach and recruitment efforts.

 

Led by head football coach Neal Brown, members of the WVU coaching staff traveled through the region on Tuesday and Wednesday, visiting schools in Wood, Washington, and Pleasants counties. The trip is part of the Mountaineers’ annual spring recruiting tour, a key component of their strategy to identify in-state talent and build stronger relationships with local programs.

 

“It’s important to us that West Virginia kids know that we see them, we value them, and we’re excited about what’s happening in their communities,” Coach Brown said during a visit to Parkersburg High School. “The Mid-Ohio Valley has a proud tradition of producing tough, disciplined athletes. We want to make sure they know WVU is always watching.”

 

During the two-day trip, coaches met with football programs at Parkersburg South, Williamstown, St. Marys, and Warren High School across the river in Ohio, among others. In addition to assessing potential recruits, the visits were also about mentorship and motivation, as WVU staff spoke to athletes about academics, character, and the work ethic required to compete at the collegiate level.

 

Athletic directors and coaches in the area welcomed the visit, seeing it as both a recognition of local talent and a morale boost for student-athletes.

 

“This means a lot to our kids,” said Mike Byus, head coach at Parkersburg High School. “When they see a Division I coaching staff take the time to visit their school, it reinforces that they have opportunities — if they put in the work.”

 

Though no official offers were announced during the tour, several underclassmen reportedly caught the eye of WVU staff, including a few linemen and skill-position players.

 

The trip also included informal meetings with guidance counselors and administrators, part of a broader effort by WVU to emphasize the importance of academics in their recruiting process.

 

“Football is just one part of the equation,” said WVU recruiting coordinator Jordan Lesley. “We want young people who will represent West Virginia the right way — on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.”

 

For many in the Mid-Ohio Valley, the visit was a welcome reminder that WVU is committed to its home state and is looking to invest in the future of West Virginia’s youth.

 

“It’s about building relationships that last beyond the game,” Coach Brown said. “These are our people, and we want them to feel like they’re part of the Mountaineer family.”

 

The WVU coaching staff plans to continue its tour in other parts of the state throughout the coming weeks, with the hope of finding the next generation of Mountaineers right here in West Virginia.