You probably won’t hear me say this often, but the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission got it right.

This past week, the SSAC officially named current Ohio County Schools Assistant Superintendent Bernie Dolan as its new executive director, effective Jan. 1, 2016.

Dolan is the ideal hire for many reasons. First and foremost, he knows West Virginia and he knows sports.

Too many times, these positions go to past school officials who have very little experience in athletics. Dolan has experience at all levels of athletics, wearing many hats.

For instance, I first met Dolan when he was the head track coach at Wheeling Park. He was also an assistant football coach. So, he’s coached a major revenue and a non-revenue sport, which I think is important.

He’s served as an athletic director at Park. Also, very important because the A.D.’s are the backbone of the school’s athletic department. Being able to relate to what they deal with on a day-to-day basis is imperative.

Thirdly, he’s been an administrator. The principal is the person who officially votes on issues that the state associations propose.

Along with his work at Park, he’s also served on the OVAC Executive Board and been very active in the Super Six Football Championships. With the Super Six, Dolan worked with the media, which is another important part.

Once Dolan takes over, I hope he takes a look at the basketball tournaments. The ability to lose a game and remain alive is ridiculous.

Another sporting issue that I think needs addressed in West Virginia is playing a double elimination tournament in the softball sectional and state tournament, but not regional. When the teams are better, the double elimination should be in effect.

Thirdly, find a way to extend the track and field calendar. The season begins and ends far too early in West Virginia.

Dolan is a home-run hire and he’ll do a great job.

COLLEGE TRACK

SHADYSIDE GRAD Tara Tollett, who runs for Ohio University, finished third in the 5,000 meter run at the all-Ohio Championship meet at Miami last weekend. She ran a 17:53.17 for the bronze.

BRIDGEPORT GRAD Cody Frey enjoyed another strong performance in the 400 intermediate hurdles, running for Notre Dame College. Frey finished third in the Western Kentucky Hilltopper Relays, posting a 53.87.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE grad Alyssa Robinson, throwing for Penn State, finished third in the ‘University’ portion of the Florida Relays. She had a mark of 48-ft-2 1/2.

STEUBENVILLE CENTRAL grad Teddi Jo Maslowski won the long jump with a school-record mark of 20-ft-4 1/2 during the inaugural Duke Invitational. She also finished second in the high hurdles. At the Mt. Sac. Relays in California earlier this week, Maslowski set a Duke University school record with 5,706 points, which is currently second in the ACC and ninth in the NCAA.

STEUBENVILLE grad Josh Thompson, who runs for LSU, was a member of a victorious 4×1 team in the Jim Click Shootout in Tuscon last weekend. The Tigers’ 400 relay team turned in a 38.95. He also finished third in the 110M high hurdles.

MARTINS FERRY grad Talyr Jenkins is having a strong freshman campaign at Wheeling Jesuit. She’s a member of the Cardinals’ 4×1 team that ran a 48.66 last week. She’s also competing in the 100 and has a season-best time of 12.86.

ST. JOHN CENTRAL grad Matt Riffle ran a 33:50 in the 10K at the Bucknell Invite last weekend. That time ranks second in the Mountain East Conference, trailing only teammate Albert Schrimp, who is a Wheeling Park grad.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

LINSLY GRAD Alex Stephens has started 20 games for Morehead State University. He’s batting .284 for the season and has two home runs and 17 RBI. Stephens is currently on the shelf, however, with a broken finger.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE grad D.J. Busby is leading West Liberty in hitting this season. He’s currently batting .356 and has a .944 fielding percentage. He’s scored a team-high 24 runs.

LINSLY PRODUCT Jon-Michael Brunner is enjoying a splendid season for West Liberty. He’s batting .343 and leads the club with a .971 fielding percentage. Similar, to Stephens, Brunner has been battling his way back from an injury.

BELLAIRE GRAD Nick Patrone – a freshman at Baldwin-Wallace – picked up his first pitching victory Thursday evening.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

As spring practices wind down and Division I teams head toward their annual spring games, a pair of former St. Clairsville Red Devils have been impressive during respective scrimmages.

At Purdue, Dan Monteroso, who has been slowed by injuries in each of his first two seasons with the Boilermakers, caught 7 passes for 156 yards. Included was a 62-yard touchdown.

Jerrid Marhefka continues to make an impression at Ohio University. He made 3 receptions for 79 yards in the Bobcats’ Green and White Game held earlier this month in Peden Stadium.

ON THE MOVE UP

UNION LOCAL graduate Dan Carrell continues to climb the college football coaching ladder. He’s recently been hired as an assistant at the University of Houston, working with the defense. Carrell and Houston head coach Tom Herman worked together at Ohio State. Carrell spent last season working at the University of Kentucky.

MARTINS FERRY graduate Zach Bruney has been promoted to offensive coordinator at Ohio Dominican University. He’s been on the ODU staff for two seasons and served as quarterbacks’ coach.

BELLAIRE graduate Todd Fitch was promoted to offensive coordinator at Boston College. He has been with the Eagles for two seasons, working as the wide receivers coach. His last OC’s job came at South Florida.