The Annual Frank Loria Awards Banquet, sponsored by the Clarksburg Columbian Club in cooperation with the Harrison County School System, is set for March 20, 2017. In its 34th year, the Loria Awards Banquet brings together the very best in Harrison County High School football talent at Bridgeport Conference Center.

 

The Honored Guest Speaker for this year’s Awards Banquet is West Virginia Governor, Jim Justice. Governor Justice, well known for his support of youth athletics and academics throughout the State, stated that, “he was honored to speak at one of the State’s premier sporting banquets.” Mike Romano, Banquet Chairman, said, “the Loria Banquet has a long tradition of welcoming great speakers, however, Governor Justice’s common sense approach to life will be a great example for each of our student athletes.

 

The Governor’s amazing and well-publicized dedication to the education and athletic achievements of our State’s youth has created a real excitement surrounding this year’s Banquet.”

 

Outstanding student-athletes who obtained both football and academic excellence during the school year along with their coaches will once again be honored at Loria Awards Banquet. Top honors include the Loria Award for the "Most Outstanding Football Player of the Year" and the “Loria Lineman of the Year” given to the most outstanding All-County lineman.

 

One county coach will win the Frank Loria “Coach of the Year,” a much anticipated honor, and the "Frank Loria Academic Achievement Award" will be awarded to a member of the All-County Football Team based on academic performance. All recipients of these Awards are selected by area head coaches and sportswriters by closed ballot.

 

The Frank Loria Memorial Scholarship will also be awarded by its Board.

 

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.

 

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

 

Also expected to join the Governor is former MU Coach Red Dawson who coached with Frank Loria at Marshall and was featured in the movie “We Are Marshall.” Romano said that “the presence of an iconic figure like Coach Dawson speaks volumes about the achievements of these young men.”

 

Marshall University AD Mike Hamrick, former WVU Athletic Director Ed Pastilong and most of the State’s college coaches also will attend the Banquet along with many from Frank Loria’s family.

 

This year's Banquet will open to the public on a limited basis.