GLEN DALE — John Marshall boasts one of the OVAC’s most successful baseball programs.

Bob Montgomery has guided the Monarchs for nearly half a century, earning legendary status. He has coached countless great players during that time.

Todd Hayes was one of his best.

Hayes helped lead John Marshall to its only state baseball championship in 1985. He also captained the all-state team his senior year.

Hayes tragically lost his battle to brain cancer in 2013. His death spawned an outpouring of support for the 1985 JM grad in the form of the establishment of the Friends of Todd Hayes committee.

The organization was created by Hayes’ friends and classmates — Dr. Mike Maroney, Dr. Mike Wayt, Michael Myers, Paul Smith and Eric Anderson.

The Friends of Todd Hayes group is making great strides in upgrading the JM baseball facility — already one of the best in the valley — in remembrance of Hayes.

The initial phase of the project was constructing a shelter. The shelter has been completed and is located adjacent to the warning track just off the left field line.

“Things are going super. Phase 1 was completed in December,” Anderson said. “Our total project goal is $42,000 and we’ve raised $41k to date. Both business and folks in the community have come together to help support the project (70 donors so far).

“To raise $41k in roughly three months is a testament to what folks thought of Todd Hayes,” he added. “We are now in the process of taking bids to do the Phase 2 work and hope to have things completed by spring or early summer.”

Phase Two will consist of 48 seats located near the shelter, and a concrete walkway from the parking lot/shelter area to the press box.

“Todd was one of our all-time good guys. Family and friends wanted to honor his memory,” Montgomery said. “Todd loved playing baseball at JM. So we decided to dedicate this project in his name.

“All the seats will be memorialized to family members. Todd was a class act and gentleman,” he continued. “He was the type of man everybody loved. He is the only JM player to be named captain of all-state team.”

All the work is being done with private funds. The Friends of Todd Hayes committee is still hoping for more contributions to complete the work.

People wishing to help the worthwhile cause should send donations to Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, 1310 Market St. Suite 1, Wheeling, W.Va. 26003. Checks should be made payable to Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley and tagged Todd Hayes Memorial on the memo line.

All donations are tax deductible.

SALUTING A BELLAIRE LEGEND

FRANCIS GIBSON was not only a great football player, he was also a great leader.

Gibson starred on the gridiron for Bellaire High in the 1950s. He was a standout quarterback for the Big Reds, serving as co-captain his senior year with the legendary Mike Ingram. He gained an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy where he distinguished himself both in football and in the classroom.

He was selected as captain of the Army football team as a senior, starring as an end. That is when the Cadets were a collegiate powerhouse. He played on the final Army team of legendary coach Earl “Red” Blaik in 1958.

He went on to became a Lt. Colonel, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam as a battalion commander, retiring in 1981.

Gibson died Jan. 23 in Tustin, Ca. from a massive heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, Francis and his wife Kim, Donald and his wife Gaylen, and Craig and his wife Ellen; and 10 grandchildren.

After the military, he became a successful Santa Ana developer.

His three sons followed in his footsteps and were football standouts. They all starred at El Modena High in Orange County, Ca. And all three went on to fine college careers. Don and Craig played at USC while Francis was an Arizona standout.

SUPER BOWL

NEW ENGLAND and the Super Bowl have become synonymous. Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady can cement his place in history as the best ever with a fifth championship.

The Patriots have been in six Super Bowls with all the final margins being either three or four points. I expect this one will also be close as Atlanta boasts great speed on both sides of the ball.

It is nice to have a local hook in the game. Linsly product C.J. Goodwin’s gridiron rise has been remarkable – the exclamation point playing in the Super Bowl with the Falcons.

I would love to see the Falcons prevail today. A changing of the guard would be refreshing.

But Brady and Bill Belichick are tough nuts to crack. They are proven winners, especially in big games.

My prediction: Patriots 30, Falcons 27.

BUBBA’S BITS

KRISTIN LEWICKI continues to pad her impressive collegiate hockey stats. The John Marshall High product has scored 18 goals and recorded 24 assists in leading Adrian College to a 17-2 mark this winter. The Moundsville native gained All-American honors as a junior and is building a case to gain that lofty distinction again this year.

IT WAS business as usual Wednesday when high school football stars cast their collegiate lot. As is the case each year, big boys Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Michigan, USC and etc. all bagged the biggest prizes. WVU, despite a 10-win season, failed to reel in a top 50 class. Tom Herman at Texas brought in a mediocre class — no 5-star recruits and a 20th rating.

THE WHEELING Nailer Booster Club is sponsoring a three-day trip to Indiana for a trio of Nailers’ games March 3-4-5. The first game is in Indianapolis while the final two will be played in Fort Wayne. The cost is $150 per person which includes the cost of the bus and tickets to all three games. Reservations should be made by Feb. 7 to receive the discounted rate. Request “Booster” rate. For more information, call Susie at 304-281-3321. Deadline for the trip is Feb 10.

OUR PRAYERS and condolences go out to the family of Fred Wojcik of Wheeling. He died Jan. 28. Fred was devoted to coaching and tutoring local youths in baseball, basketball and the game of life. His two sons — Doug and Dave –are shining examples of the positive impact he had on people. Both Doug and Dave excelled on the basketball court is players and coaches while being character individuals.

NOW THAT the calendar has flipped to February, Major League Baseball is on the radar. The Pittsburgh Pirates have pitchers and catchers reporting Feb. 13 with the first full team workout set for Feb. 17. The Cleveland Indians have their pitchers and catchers arriving Feb. 12 with first team workouts also Feb. 17.

FORMER EDISON High head football coach Mike McKenzie is returning to the sidelines as the new head man at Beaver Local.

JOANNA BERNABEI-McNamee has her University of Albany women’s hoop team playing well. The Great Danes have won their last three games for the Weirton Madonna legend in improving to 12-10 overall and 6-3 in the American East Conference.