 Photo courtesy of Bill Ellis Participating in the Friday evening meeting with the Anderson University football team before their Saturday homecoming game were (left to right): Rick Perry, Bud Stone, Dennis Ellis, a Special Olympics golf champion for the state of Florida, Head Coach Jeff Judges, Bill Ellis and "Whitey" Ellis. |
At the recent Homecoming Weekend at Anderson University, Anderson, Ind., former Putnam County students and athletes were active participants in a variety of ways. It all started in the fall of 1948 when Bill Ellis boarded a C&O train in Charleston. A few minutes later, he passed through Scott Depot and on to Union Station in Cincinnati to change trains and arrive at the Pennsylvania Station in Anderson that evening.
Within the next dozen years, Vernon, Jane and Larry Maddox, children of Hank and Mish Maddox, had also cast their lot with Anderson College and distinguished themselves as active members of the campus community. About two years after I enrolled, my sister, Marie, head majorette and valedictorian at Winfield High, enrolled at Marshall and a year later transferred to Anderson. My brother, "Whitey," arrived with a four-year football scholarship in the fall of 1955.
Vernon Maddox, the first president of the Winfield High School Student Council, played football at Anderson College. Jane Maddox Adams, with many campus involvements, worked as a secretary in the AC Alumni Office. Larry, as true at Winfield, won honors in football, track and field and played college basketball.
My brother "Whitey," one of the best high school football players ever in Putnam County, had also played basketball and baseball, was an outstanding student and active in campus affairs at Hurricane High. He was recruited to play football by every college and university in West Virginia, many out-of-state schools including Rutgers and perennial powerhouse, Ohio State University. He chose to play for Coach Jim Macholtz, one of college football's most brilliantly educated coaches. Whitey started as a freshman running back.
At the 2009 AU Homecoming, I spoke for the Friday evening meeting with the players and staff of head coach, Jeff Judge, for the eighth consecutive year. Whitey also spoke to the football squad, as did former Nitro all-time great athlete, Bud Stone, son of Ray and Maggie Stone. Bud won 16 letters, four each of his four college years, gaining All-Conference and All-American honors. He lettered in football, basketball, baseball and golf.
Another speaker with Putnam County ties was Rick Perry, who played football and baseball at Anderson and during his career became one of Florida's most successful high school football coaches and influenced many Florida players to enroll at West Virginia University and West Virginia State University. His parents were Alex and Jo Perry and his brother, Alex, also of Scott Depot, is one of the finest football officials in West Virginia.
At the annual Hall of Fame Dinner, Larry Maddox and "Whitey" Ellis were presenters of new inductees. These coaches and educators were outstanding athletes in Putnam County, at Anderson University and wherever they have taught and coached young people.
It pleases me when our youth enroll in the various schools of higher education in West Virginia, other states and, of course, at Anderson University, which I believe is the best school in the nation. Would anybody disagree with that? Some would, and that is why they support their Alma Mater financially and encourage students to attend and do all they can to help their children and grandchildren get the best education possible.
Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist who can be reached at P.O. Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560; phone 304-757-6089.
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