WWHS ALUMNI PAGE
Frank Marcinko ('69)
Former Beckley Resident Named State's Top AD
This article appeared in the Register-Herald on June 12, 2003.By DAN STILLWELL
If high school athletic directors can be judged by the success of their teams, then Frank Marcinko had a whale of a year.
His Williamstown High School earned Class A state championships in girls basketball and boys track. The Yellowjackets were also state runner-up in volleyball, and had playoff teams in football and baseball.
For his efforts Marcinko, a Beckley native, was named state athletic director of the year by the West Virginia Athletic Directors Association.
"We had an outstanding year," said Marcinko, 51. "We had a good run of athletes and good people working with them."
Marcinko coached 12 years at another Wood County school, Parkersburg High, before accepting the Will-iamstown AD job.
"The situation came open seven years ago and I thought it might be something I might want to look at," Marcinko said. "Sometimes I don't know why."
But Marcinko is obviously good at what he does. Not only was he honored by the athletic directors this year, but he received a similar award from the West Virginia Coaches Association in 1999.
"I enjoy what I do. An athletic director's job, when you succeed, is a pretty good job," he said. "I try to do it from a coach's eyes."
Actually Marcinko is still a coach. He assists with the football team at Marietta College, across the Ohio River from Williamstown.
At Woodrow Wilson he toiled in the trenches as an offensive guard.
"We didn't have the best record, but I guess I was all right," he said. "I went on to play at Glenville State College."
Marcinko remains in touch with Woodrow. He coached against the Flying Eagles football team while at Parkersburg High, and now opens his gym for the basketball team to practice when they're playing up north.
"They call me when they're coming up and I try to help them out," he said. "I'm proud to be a Woodrow graduate."
Now in his 30th year in the Wood County school system, he likes it at Williamstown.
"It's not a big school, but it has good community support and fine coaches," Marcinko said. "Those with the best talent usually win, but you have to have people steering them. We have some good coaches."
And a pretty good athletic director as well.
'Jackets Enjoy Finest Athletic Year
This article appeared in the Parkersburg News and Sentinel on June 4, 2003.By JIM BUTTA
WILLIAMSTOWN - To say that it's been quite a year for the maroon and gold at Williamstown High School would be a slight miscalculation.
From the start 2002-03 has been a great year.And, it's far from over for the Yellowjackets as they begin play in the state baseball tournament Thursday.
"It's been a storybook year from fall to spring," said athletics director Frank Marcinko.
"Really, I can't put my finger on one single thing that you can give all the credit to," continued Marcinko, who was honored by his peers as the state's top A.D. last month. "There are just lots of little things."
Like playing in the state semifinals during the Class A football playoffs while being ranked No. 1 in the sport.
Like playing for the state volleyball championship.
Like winning the girls basketball title (Class A) in March after finishing second in wrestling a week earlier.
And, like capturing the school's first-ever boy's track championship just last weekend. Marcinko inherited a solid program. But, during his eight-year tenure the Yellowjackets have blossomed into a force to be reckoned with statewide.
Yes, it's been quite a year for the maroon and gold and no one realizes it more than two of its coaches who played for the Yellowjackets during their high school careers.
"I don't think anyone understands the magnitude of a year like this," said first-year wrestling coach Jeff Givens, who was a state wrestling champ at the school in 1981.
"I played beside a true Division One athlete in Jeff Deem and here's a kid named Zach Hall that throws the discus 14 feet further than Jeff ever could," continued the Givens.
Givens, an '81 graduate, has had a large part in this amazing season as he led the 'Jacket wrestling team to a surprising runner-up finish at the state championship back in February, earning Coach of the Year honors along the way.
Also knowing what it feels like to win a state championship is girls' head track coach Teresa Pickens.
A 1984 graduate, the then-Teresa Wilson helped the school capture its first, and only, state girls track crown and was a two-time all stater in basketball.
"There have been flurries here or there, but nothing comparing to this year," said Pickens.
And, it just hasn't been the Yellowjacket teams that have attained statewide notice, but the athletes as well.
All state teams in numerous sports are dotted with the names of athletes wearing the maroon and gold.
Most recently senior Casey Moser captured the No. 1 singles' title at the state tennis tournament while as many as 15 Yellowjackets won events at the state track meet held last weekend at Laidley Field.
Junior Shane Smith leads the parade with state titles in wrestling and track and a first-team selection to the Class A all-state football team selected by the W.Va. Sports Writers Association.
A returning first-team choice in baseball, Smith and his teammates will vie for the school's first-ever crown in that sport this weekend at Watt Powell Park.
"I've never seen a season like this," said girls' head coach Fred Sauro. "We've had successes, but not like this."
Sauro, who took over the girls' reigns 18 years ago and suffered through an 0-21 beginning, added to that success when he was selected as the Little Kanawha Conference's Underwood Award winner - signifying the league's most outstanding coach.
"We have a very strong community which backs our athletes," continued the coach. "A lot of our kids are willing to put forth the extra time it takes to be successful. And, we have coaches who care.
"When you have that combination going for you, good things are bound to happen."
And, happen they have and will continue to happen.
Yes, it's been quite a year for the fan of the maroon and gold. And, it may very well end with the school's third championship ring of the year at Watt Powell Park.