More than $26,000 in seed money to establish an endowed lectureship in the West Virginia University School of Physical Education was announced Sunday (May 20) during an evening honoring retired WVU head football coach Don Nehlen.

The Don Nehlen Visiting Lecturer in Coaching will attract nationally recognized and respected coaches to the WVU campus each year whose philosophy and life reflects those same qualities which Don Nehlen possesseshigh principles, compassion, dedication, commitment, integrity and a deep appreciation of family, said WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.

“This lectureship honors Coach Nehlen, but also carries on his WVU coaching legacy, which is steeped in dedication, success and integrity,”Hardesty noted.

As part of the lectureship, WVU s president also announced that Nehlen has been appointed an adjunct instructor for athletic coaching education in the School of Physical Education, and will meet with students and lecture in several courses throughout the year.

The event,”Celebrating 21 Years of Greatness,”was attended by some 200 friends and family members at the WVU Mountainlair. It was sponsored by WVU and the Greater Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce to honor the man who led WVU s football program for 21 years until his retirement at the end of last season.

A surprise guest was Sen. Jay Rockefeller, who gave a heartfelt testimonial to his long-time friend.

A long-distance testimonial came from Big East Commissioner Michael Tranghese, who sent a videotaped message to his friend and colleague. Assistant Athletic Director Mike Parsons presented an engraved clock to the coach on behalf of the league.

Personal tributes came from WVU alumnus and former WVU quarterback Oliver Luck, now in private business in Austin, Texas; Bill and Pam Raney of Charleston, founders of the Don Nehlen Fan Club (Bill is president of the WV Coal Association); and son-in-law and former Mountaineer quarterback Jeff Hostetler, a Morgantown businessman and former NFL quarterback.

Executive Director of the Greater Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce Terry Jones presented Nehlen with the Earl L. Core Award, the highest honor conferred by the Chamber. Jones said the honor is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding ability and success in a chosen field or in a community activity. It has only been awarded to 13 individuals since its inception in 1985 and is named for the late Earl Core, a long-time faculty member and former chairman of the WVU Department of Biology.

Core, who died in 1985, was also mayor of Morgantown and the author of several books on the community. WVU s outdoor park, the Core Arboretum, is named for him.

A special memory book from last Decembers Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn., was also presented to the coach.

“It is clear that one mans contributions to his professionto his familyto his faithand to this great state of West Virginia can forever affect people in significant ways,”Hardesty said of the memento.

Attending Sundays celebration were members of the Nehlen familyhis wife Merry Ann; daughter and son-in-law Vickie and Jeff Hostetler; son and daughter-in-law Danny and Janie Nehlen; Janie Nehlens parents, Rudi and Marta Gorda; and several grandchildren.

Musical entertainment was provided by Jazzitis, a five-member ensemble of University professors on saxophone, piano, bass, percussion and vocals.

WVU administrator and Chamber Board President Scott Rotruck served as master of ceremonies.

Underwriting the Nehlen lectureship are 12 corporate sponsors �€BB&T, Centra Bank, The Dominion Post , Glenmark Holding, LLC , March-Westin, Mon General Hospital, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Platinum Properties, Toyota, United National Bank, University Motors and the WVU Foundation.

Others interested in contributing to the fund should make checks payable to the WVU Foundation Inc. and mail to: WVU Foundation, 3168 Collins Ferry Road, P.O. Box 4533, Morgantown, WV26504 , earmarked for the Don Nehlen Lectureship.