A couple whose support has enhanced programs in the West Virginia University School of Physical Education and a long-time teacher and coach will be honored Friday, Nov. 14, during the school’s annual Hall of Fame celebration.
Alfred Ware
Businessman Alfred Ware will be recognized as 2003 Outstanding Alumnus during the 7:30 p.m. ceremony at the Radisson Hotel. Ware’s wife, Dolores, a former teacher and businesswoman, and Ferris J. Antoon, a retired New Jersey teacher and coach, will be inducted into the hall.
“The class of 2003 inductees are nationally recognized in the fields of teaching, coaching and business,”Dean Dana Brooks said.”The School of Physical Education is proud to add the names of this year’s inductees to its growing list of outstanding alumni.”
Ware is a native of Rupert, Greenbrier County. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1950 and a master’s degree in speech communication in 1952, both from WVU . While a student, he was captain of the men’s debate team, a cadet colonel in ROTC and active in student government. He also lettered in track and cross country.
He entered the business world after serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He founded Mitsubishi-Burlington Ltd. in Tokyo and served as president of Burlington’s International Division. After a successful career in the textiles industry, he became vice president of Manufacturers Hanover Corp. and Hanover World Trade Corp. He is currently chairman emeritus of Amherst FiberOptics.
Ware remains involved with his alma mater. He serves on the WVU Foundation’s Building Greatness National Campaign Committee and WVU Alumni Association Board of Directors. He has Dolores Ware been inducted into the Order of Vandalia, Academy of Distinguished Alumni and School of Physical Hall of Fame.
Mrs. Ware is a Morgantown native who obtained her bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1952. While at WVU , she was a member of Orchesis and the Dolphins Swimming Honorary and regimental sponsor for the ROTC Army Corps. Upon graduation, she taught modern dance at WVU and was adviser for Orchesis Honorary. She later taught in public schools in West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. From 1980-90 she served as managing director of the Color Association of the United States, the world’s most prestigious society for projecting color trends in the fashion, automotive, cosmetic and home furnishings industries.
Like her husband, Mrs. Ware remains active with WVU , serving as a member of the School of Physical Education and Blaney House visiting committees. She is also a leading supporter of the Stansbury Fitness/Wellness Center.
The Wares have endowed the only professorship in the School of Physical Education. Linda Carson is the initial recipient of the Ware Professorship.
The couple lives in Nokomis, Fla.; Franklin, Tenn.; and Morgantown.
Ferris J. Antoon Antoon received his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1960. Upon graduation, he joined New Jersey’s Asbury Park Board of Education as a physical education and health teacher and coach. From 1968-93, he was a physical education and health teacher, coach and athletic director for the West Long Branch (N.J.) Board of Education.
Besides teaching and coaching, he served as summer camp director of sports camps at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, N.J., for 26 years. Under his direction and leadership, the camps earned a reputation as one of the finest sports camps in New Jersey.
Antoon is responsible for the formation of various athletic leagues in Monmouth County, N.J. He was the driving force behind starting the first competitive interscholastic leagues in soccer, basketball, track and field hockey. He is recognized as the father of Monmouth County Middle School interscholastic soccer. Although he retired from teaching in 1993, he continues to work with the various leagues and organizations he helped to establish.
He resides in West Long Branch, N.J. This year’s inductees bring to 87 the number of School of Physical Education alumni named to the Hall of Fame since it was established in 1988.