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Wayne Jamison Ready to Add Hall of Famer to Long List of Accolades

By Jeff Toquinto on September 05, 2012 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

He’s already got his name on the field where he coached for 27 years. And he’s already been named as a Michael Benedum Fellow for his contributions to the city of Bridgeport.
 
So, what else is left for retired high school educator and Coach Wayne “Smiley” Jamison? At least one thing; and that will all end Saturday when Jamison is one of four individuals inducted into the Bridgeport High School Hall of Fame.
 
“They put my name on the field and that’s all that I needed … I’m really glad they didn’t do a 40 for 40 for teachers because I wouldn’t have been on that list,” Jamison said with a chuckle. “I don’t know that I’ve did that much for the school. The others (in the Hall of Fame) did so much for the school, giving money and all kinds of good things. They accomplished a lot after they left the school.
 
“I hope I have helped some kids, but I don’t know that I helped them that much. But if they think that I have, then I’ll accept it,” Jamison continued. “It’s an honor, but there should have been others ahead of me.”
 
Jamison is widely known for his exploits on the football field. However, he was a teacher in the Bridgeport School system for 40 years. He actually started teaching the eighth grade when the high school had grades 7 through 12 at the old school on Newton Street. He taught history and even a math class before moving up in ranks to high school teaching. There, he started teaching social studies and classes pertaining to government and the problems of democracy. The biggest part of his teaching came as Bridgeport High School’s long-time physical education teacher. Jamison retired in 1997.
 
“Things changed from the time I started to the time I retired,” Jamison said. “I never had any real problems with students. It was a big deal getting caught with chewing gum back when I started. That should tell you how different things are.”
 
Ironically, Jamison’s journey to Bridgeport almost never took place. Several decades ago, Jamison was one day away from heading to teach and coach at Buckskin High School in Chillicothe, Ohio when fate in the form of former BHS physical education department head Dick Williams stepped in. Williams gave Jamison a call to visit with Bridgeport Principal N.R. Tolley. Tolley hired Jamison on the spot and the rest has been BHS education and football history.
 
Jamison was born in Pennsylvania, grew up in Nutter Fort and graduated from Roosevelt-Wilson High School. He enlisted in the Navy during the time frame of the Korean War where he decided once finished he would utilize the G.I. Bill and go to college. Once done with his four-year stint in the service, Jamison enrolled at Salem College where he would get his degree and, eventually, his Master’s Degree.
It should be noted that Jamison’s time coaching wasn’t just limited to football. He dabbled in multiple sports during his coaching career before finally settling in as the head Bridgeport football coach starting with the 1970 season.
 
What followed is arguably one of the most impressive runs for a high school football coach in West Virginia history. During the next 27 years, Jamison won 230 games and four state championships in 1972, 1979, 1986 and 1988. The 1972 and 1979 teams won Class AAA state championships as the school opted to compete in the large-school division despite having Class AA numbers.
 
The Indians managed to win games despite never varying from script. Teams playing Bridgeport in 1970 almost certainly saw the same game plan that teams in the 1990s would witness. Along the way, his players and students developed deep respect for the coach that remains to this day.
 
“Not just myself, but I would think it’s safe to say that all of the players that came up through the program looked up to him. I wouldn’t say everyone was in awe of him, but they certainly looked up to him,” said 1979 Class AAA State Championship quarterback/defensive back Robert “Bobby” Marra. “When he spoke, he had everyone’s attention. He taught without yelling and he created this situation where when you arrived as a sophomore you knew what to expect because the guys ahead of you passed it down. He was such an intricate teacher and you don’t see that much anymore.”
 
As for the selection into the BHS Hall of Fame, Marra said it’s more than deserved.
 
“It’s an obvious selection and absolutely well deserved. There’s more to Bridgeport than just football, but people equate our community a lot of times with the success of that program and it can all be pointed to Coach Jamison and all the kids that come through the program,” Marra said. “To this day, those that played for him will tell you he’s someone you look up to and respect. He taught you values that you carry through life such as patience, dealing with certain situations and so many others. Coach Jamison taught you lessons of the football field that you carried into your life.”
 
Jamison is married to the former Fay Calain. He is the father to Jeff, Jill and the late Jay by his first wife Joyce. He has several grandchildren.
 
Click HERE to read about fellow honoree Mrs. Alice Rowe.
 
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Wayne Jamison being carried off the field with the assistance of Jason Hosaflook following his 200th career victory. Bottom photo shows Jamison getting escorted around the Bridgeport Country Club with former student Steve McDaniel at the annual Mary Reppert-Wayne Jamison Scholarship Golf Tournament. Top photo courtesy of Mrs. Alice Rowe and the BHS Journalism Department.


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