For more than three and a half decades the Clarksburg Columbian Club has been honoring Harrison County’s top student-athletes that compete in high school football. This coming Monday, it’s going to happen for the 36^th-straight year.

 

At 6 p.m., the Annual Frank Loria Awards Banquet will be held at the Bridgeport Conference Center. Organizers once again plan a big evening for players, their families and guests that attend.

 

“This year’s Loria Awards Banquet, like every year, hopes to bring home the honorees the importance of athletics, but the importance of academic achievement and the promise it holds for their future,” said banquet Chairman Mike Romano. “One thing we always try to emphasize was that Frank Loria was an Academic All-American as well as a Consensus All-American for his athletic ability. We want our student-athletes to know very few will make a living off of being a great athlete, but if you get an education you’ll be a success.”

 

Loria was certainly successful as a student-athlete, which is why academics are a critical part of the message for the banquet.

 

The Loria Awards Banquet celebrates the high athletic and academic standards of Harrison County native Frank Loria – Virginia Tech University’s first All-American in 1966 and first Consensus All-American in 1967 including Academic All-American Honors. “Frankie Paul,” as he was known to his family and friends, went on to play professionally and eventually coached at Marshall University.

 

Loria died at the age of 23 in the tragic 1970 MU plane crash with nearly the entire football team.

 

The program recognizes the “Frank Loria Award Winner,” which goes to the top football player for the 2018 season. The award is voted on by the coaches and members of the media. Also chosen is the “Lineman of the Year,” “Coach of the Year” and “Academic Athlete of the Year.” The Colombian Club also routinely announces its own “Man of the Year” during the event.

 

Another highlight is the guest speaker. The group has landed another big name as former Florida State and West Virginia University offensive line coach – among numerous other stops and current Glenville State assistant – Rick Trickett will deliver the message.

 

“Coach Trickett is bringing to the banquet the experience of coaching at the highest level. He was an integral part of Florida State’s national championship season as an assistant to (Clarksburg native) Jimbo Fisher and for many other successful seasons,” said Romano. “Here’s a man that can diagnose a football scheme and tell you their shortcoming and benefits, but can look them in the eyes and tell are student-athletes what to do to continue to be successful on the field, in the classroom and as human beings. It will be a fun night.”

 

The first team offensive and defensive units as chosen by The Exponent Telegram in a ballot of writers and coaches will be honored. The first team offense consists of Bridgeport’s Jake Bowen, D’Andre Holloway, Cody Spring, and Michael Watkins; Robert C. Byrd’s Ghovan Davidson, Brock Robey, Robert Arnold and Xavier Lopez; Notre Dame’s Sam Romano and Nate Helm; Lincoln’s Payton Hawkins; Liberty’s Seth Davis and Chance Howell; and South Harrison’s Landon McFadden.

 

The first team defensive selections being honored include Lincoln’s Hunter Moore and Colten Hovermale; Bridgeport’s Trey Pancake, Austin Sponaugle, Carson Winkie, and Evan Ogden; South Harrison’s Brent Barnette; Notre Dame’s Brock Harlow and Pat Snuffer; Robert C. Byrd’s Jaden Marino, Andrew Sponaugle, and Jeremiah King; Liberty’s Jaden Rollyson and Seth McIntyre.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo of the Loria Trophy by www.benqueenphotography.com. Second and third photos of Rick Trickett during his time at West Virginia University courtesy of WVU Sports Communications.