WHEELING — It was only a few short months ago that rumors ran rampant that Wheeling Jesuit University’s athletic department was in dire straits.

Talk of coaches’ salary slashing and a possible drop to the non-scholarship Division III level was prevalent. Any WJU athletic gloom and doom banter, however, was silenced Tuesday afternoon.

Adding football to a college athletic department is a game-changer, and so it is for Wheeling Jesuit. WJU President Dr. Debra Townsley announced the Cardinals will field a football team in 2018, playing an exhibition schedule. A full season is on tap for 2019.

The move gives credence that the WJU athletic department is in a stable state. Football is a costly venture. A financially strapped institution would not be adding a grid team if it was gushing red ink.

Starting a college football program from scratch is no easy task.

WJU does have two things in its favor in getting football off the ground.

First, it already has a gorgeous grid facility in place. Secondly, the school is situated in a fertile recruiting locale. The 50-plus OVAC schools can supply ample Division II grid talent.

With that said, the initial order of business is selecting a head coach. I know personally of two current local head prep grid coaches interested in the job as well as some college assistants.

It would make sense the Jesuit hierarchy tab someone with college coaching experience. It would make even more sense if that experience should include no less than NCAA D-II affiliation.

NCAA D-II schools are allowed to dole out 36 total scholarships. They can be split and the school doesn’t have to utilize its total allotment.

One person ecstatic over the Jesuit decision is Mountain East Conference Commissioner Reid Amos.

“The Mountain East Conference is very pleased that ongoing conversations and cooperative efforts with Wheeling Jesuit have resulted in WJU adding football to its outstanding athletic department,” Amos said. “We strongly believe that an effectively executed plan to start a quality football program will serve to support Wheeling Jesuit’s institutional mission, will foster growth for the university and will enhance the MEC.

“In the near future, discussions will be renewed within the MEC regarding what the format will be with 12 teams playing football as there are multiple options to be considered, including the potential for a conference championship game. The most important element is that with an even number of football playing institutions in the MEC, forced bye weeks deep into the schedule will no longer be necessary,” the commissioner added. “This is of great benefit to all MEC members, particularly from a scheduling and cost management perspective. A conference where we had an even number of institutions all playing all of our core sports was a significant part of our vision when the MEC formed.”

Wheeling Jesuit’s football decision also drew positive response from West Liberty Athletic Director Lynn Ullom. The Cardinals provide the Hilltoppers with a familiar rival just a few miles down Route 88.

“This is definitely a positive development for the Mountain East Conference and West Liberty University,” Ullom said. “With Wheeling Jesuit adding football, that means all schools can play a full 11-game conference schedule and not be forced to find a non-conference opponent to fill out our schedule every year. That has always been a challenge and often comes at considerable expense.

“Not only is it a great thing to have a conference football game literally in our backyard, we’ve all seen the atmosphere at the ASRC and the McDonough Center when our basketball teams meet,” he added. “Imagine what it’s going to be like when that tremendous rivalry hits the football field.”

Jesuit’s decision to field football may prove a catalyst for bigger things down the road for the MEC.

“Twelve institutions all meeting the core sports requirement (football, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball) creates significant stability for the league and strongly positions the Mountain East Conference for continued, sustained success,” Amos said. “With the certainty that this creates, the MEC can begin to consider whether or not expansion could provide benefit for the conference membership.

“Prior to our formation, MEC members had only reached one national championship game in as many as 19 years of membership in NCAA Division II (9 former WVIAC members were in D-II for 19 years). In just four years, we have seen six teams reach a national championship game — Football: Shepherd 2015; Men’s basketball: West Liberty 2014, Fairmont State 2017; Men’s soccer: Charleston 2016, 2014; Women’s Volleyball: WJU 2015,” he continued. “Our members have produced three NCAA D-II national championship (WJU – Women’s volleyball; and Notre Dame College – two wrestling national titles), although MEC does not yet sponsor wrestling.”

Now that Wheeling Jesuit has pulled the trigger on football, its challenge lies in building a grid program that lives up to the success enjoyed by other Cardinal programs — countless conference champions and a national crown — all done within the framework of academic excellence.

IRISH PRIDE

ST. JOHN Central football ceased to exist after the 2015 season. Countless memories remain, however, from 90 years of Fighting Irish football.

Those nine decades of St. John’s football (1925-2015) are now captured in a book that will be available this August. The 128-page hardback re-lives the excitement and tradition of St. John Central football.

The commemorative edition includes team records and rosters from all 90 teams as well as team photos, feature shots and action pictures. In addition, the best team of each decade will be highlighted.

Moreover, several special feature stories are included as well as passionate essays from past Irish grid stars. The book will help wake up the echoes of the rich tradition known as St. John Central football.

The book may be ordered online @www.timesleaderonline.com

or www.theintelligencer.com. For more information, call Debbie Curnes at 740-633-1131.

For every book sold, St. John Central High School receives $5.

BUBBA’S BITS

THE WVU quarterbacking picture turned extremely bright this past week. Former Florida Gator Will Grier has been cleared to play by the NCAA. He is a big-time talent suspended for using a banned over-the-counter supplement. Making the QB scenario even sweeter was the news that Miami Hurricane Jack Allison is transferring into Morgantown. The Mountaineers are primed for a possible Big 12 championship grid season.

DAVID RIGGLE, age 29, has been employed as the new athletic director at Paden City High School. The Cameron High and West Liberty grad replaces Fred King in that capacity. Meanwhile, Jeff Hohn is the Wildcats new head boys’ basketball coach, replacing King. Brent Croasmun will serve as his assistant.

TODD HAYES was one of the best John Marshall baseball players ever produced under the tutelage of legendary coach Bob Montgomery. Hayes helped lead the Monarchs to their only state baseball title in 1985. He also captained the all-state team his senior year. However, the 1985 JM grad lost his battle to brain cancer in 2013. He is being memorialized by the construction of the Todd Hayes Memorial Pavilion at the JM baseball field. A special celebration is set Saturday, July 29 at the field to unveil the new structure.

THE EASTERN District Track & Field Association held its inaugural Hall of Fame induction ceremonies Wednesday in Cambridge. Former Time Leader Sports Editor Cal Pokas and Cadiz High sprint great Gretta Peterson Walton were among the initial class of 10 honorees.

SOME 58 WVU student-athletes were recognized by the Big 12 for attaining a GPA of 4.0 in the spring semester, including St. Clairsville’s Brendan Ferns while Union Local’s Colton McKivitz was also named to the spring semester dean’s list.