It’s not often you see folks around these parts rooting for someone wearing Maize and Blue. But it’s hard not to when that person is John Beilein.

Beilein, the University of Michigan’s ultra-successful men’s basketball coach, is a revered figure in the Ohio Valley.

Not only did he propel the West Virginia University men’s basketball program into another stratosphere as its head coach from 2002-07, Beilein honed his hoops knowledge as a player at Wheeling College (now Wheeling Jesuit University) from 1971-75.

Widely recognized as one of college basketball’s top strategic minds, Beilein is also known as one of the game’s top gentlemen.

The NCAA recognized this, too, and last week named Beilein as the latest recipient of it’s Bob Frederick Sportsmanship Award.

The honor, named for the late Kansas and Illinois State athletic director, is presented annually to an NCAA member institution coach or administrator who exhibits a lifelong commitment to sportsmanship and ethical conduct, leading by example and promoting positive fan involvement in and out of competition.

And, anyone who’s ever been in contact with the veteran coach would have to agree, the NCAA was right on the mark with this choice.

”John is a leader who has great respect for the game of basketball and takes great pride in doing things by the rules and keeping his student-athletes’ welfare first and foremost,” University of Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon said in a university statement.

”This is a well-deserved recognition for John’s 36 years of coaching young people and being a terrific role model and teacher.”

Beilein, as usual, shied away from the limelight the honor brought him.

”I am certain there were many other coaches who deserved this award, however, I am truly honored to have been chosen for for Bib Frederick Sportsmanship Award,” he said through a statement issued by the university.

”I will continue to do all I can to live up to the high standards of sportsmanship and integrity that Bob Frederick represented so well during his time in college athletics.”

The Wolverines are coming off a 28-9 season in which it won its first outright Big Ten regular-season crown in 28 years.

Beilein’s son, Patrick, this summer joined the Utah Jazz in the area of player development after spending two seasons as the head coach at West Virginia Wesleyan.

Obecny Tees off Friday

Wheeling’s Thadd Obecny II begins his collegiate golf career at UCF this weekend as the Knights compete in the Northern Intercollegiate at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill.

Obecny, the former Wheeling Park standout, joins two other newcomers in UCF’s lineup at the event, hosted by Northern Illinois University.

UCF is the defending champion.

St. C. Trio Set to Tee Off

Three St. Clairsville High School alums are preparing to begin their careers on the college links.

Adam Jeffries and Seth Vannoy will be starting their sophomore and freshmen seasons, respectively, at Alderson-Broaddus University later this month.

Zach Keylor will be taking the course for Walsh College.

MEC, PAC Gridders Kickoff

The college football season begins in earnest for area Division II and III teams this weekend as a full slate of games are on tap for teams in the Mountain East and Presidents’ Athletic conferences.

MEC action kicks off Thursday night when Fairmont State welcomes Notre Dame College. West Liberty is slated to play host to defending conference champ Shepherd at 1 p.m. Saturday at West Family Stadium.

Bethany, meanwhile, has a big opener as it welcomes last season’s NCAA Division III runner-up Mount Union to Bison Stadium.

It will be a tall order for the Bison. The Purple Raiders have won 96 consecutive road games dating back to the 1994 NCAA playoffs, along with 24 straight regular-season non-conference games.

Mount Union is 7-0-1 all-time vs. the Bison. It’s the first meeting between the teams since 1965.

If you know of a local athlete excelling at the collegiate level in a sport outside of the FBS level, drop me a line at rthorp@timesleaderonline.com