Two of West Virginia Universitys most recognizable names in music and sports will be honored during this years Homecoming festivities Oct. 27-Nov. 1.
The WVU Alumni Association Board of Directors has selected former head football coach Don Nehlen as 2003 parade marshal. Phil Faini, retired dean of the WVU College of Creative Arts, is the 2003 Outstanding Alumnus. Both still reside in Morgantown.
“Both of these individuals are household names in West Virginia and are recognized across the nation,”said Steve Douglas, Alumni Association CEO .”We are fortunate that Dean Faini and Coach Nehlen have devoted so much of their lives to West Virginia University. Being honored in this manner is a small way to acknowledge the many ways they have contributed to the national prominence of our University.”
The winningest football coach in WVU history, Nehlen coached from 1980 through the 2000-2001 season, posting a 149-93-4 record. During his tenure, he led WVU to two undefeated seasons, 13 bowl trips and coached 15 first team All-Americans, 82 all-conference players and 80 players who went on to professional football.
Acknowledged by his peers for his exceptional leadership, Nehlen was named coach of the year by Kodak, the American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp and Scripps-Howard. He also received the Bobby Dodd, Woody Hayes and Joseph Sheehan Awards and was honored as the 1993 Big East coach of the year.
He also served as president of the AFCA in 1997 and coached numerous all-star games.
A native of Canton, Ohio, Nehlen and wife, Merry Ann, have two children and five grandchildren.
Faini, who retired as dean of the College of Creative Arts in 2000, served the University for 40 years as an educator and an administrator. His areas of expertise include jazz theory and African music. At WVU , he headed the percussion program, directed the Percussion Ensemble and founded the World Music Center.
Throughout his career, he worked in radio, television, with symphony orchestras and with popular bands and singers. During the 1970s, the Percussion Ensemble, under his leadership, appeared on the Today Show, on a nationally televised PBS program called”Percussion Noel”that was nominated for an Emmy Award and at Expo74 in Spokane, Wash.
Known as one of the countrys premier percussion teachers, Faini enabled the Percussion Ensemble to develop a repertoire unique to the United States. In 1969, the group was selected by the U.S. State Department for a nine-nation tour of South America that included concerts, workshops and television appearances.
He is a native of Masontown, Pa., and a 1959 WVU graduate. He and his wife, Jeanne, have three children and 11 grandchildren.
Both Nehlen and Faini will be featured in the Oct. 31 Homecoming Parade that begins at 6:30 p.m., and at halftime of the WVU -Central Florida game on Saturday (Nov. 1). Kickoff for the game is set for 1 p.m.