WHEELING — Skip Prosser is an iconic figure in basketball coaching circles.

So much so, an Ohio Valley tribute was established in his name two years ago, pitting schools he guided to great prominence — Linsly and Wheeling Central.

Year three of the Skip Prosser Classic, however, may not come to fruition.

The fly in the ointment is sponsorship, or rather the lack of it. Sponsors have been generous for the first two events. Now, new financial backers are needed to keep the hoop spectacle a reality.

None has stepped up so far, placing the Prosser Classic on life support. It would be a disturbing turn of events should it cease to exist.

John Stanko has been one of the driving forces to make the Prosser Classic come to fruition. Stanko, also a very successful hoop boss at both Bishop Donahue and Shadyside, forged a close and lasting relationship with Prosser while serving as his assistant at Linsly.

“Skip had so much integrity and class. He got more out of kids than most anyone could,” Stanko said. “He was professionally driven but never forgot his roots in the valley. He came back to provide the OVAC an all-day clinic in 2004 after being named ACC Coach of the Year at no cost. It was done just prior to the start of his own season.

“He was perhaps the most positively influential person in so many lives. I met him at Linsly and he really seemed destined for some success,” he added. “Skip really got me interested in basketball. More importantly, he was an excellent classroom teacher.”

Such class, character and success exhibited by Prosser served as the foundation to establish the Skip Prosser Classic. In addition, Wheeling Central has named its basketball court in his honor.

The classic is non-profit event. Its purpose is two-fold: Honor Prosser while also generating money for scholarships for Linsly and Wheeling Central students.

Two noteworthy causes.

“The game did grow from year one to two; however, I did not want to continue to seek those same people yearly though they have been quite generous,” Stanko said. “Unless a major sponsor comes through and that appears unlikely, we will at least take a pause in the game for this year.

“The Skip Prosser Classic has met with some solid success. The game promotes valley basketball, attempts to establish college assistance to student-athletes, and attempts to remember a first-class coach who did it the right way,” he added. “The Central-Linsly rivalry is a natural, but the game could change sites as the spread of his name and scholarships for more OVAC schools would be more of an objective of the game, thereby spreading the wealth to more student-athletes.”

The Carnegie, Pa. native enjoyed stellar coaching careers at both Linsly and Wheeling Central. His success in the Friendly City proved a springboard for an equally successful D-I collegiate tenure.

Prosser built Wake Forest into a national presence at the time of his death. He was 56 when he died in his Demon Deacon office from a massive heart attack on July 26, 2007.

“We accomplished what we hoped by bringing his memory back to a new generations of players who really may not have known him, raised some scholarship money, and in a sense, promoted basketball,” Stanko said.

With that said, it would be tragic to see the Skip Prosser Classic come to an end.

The classic’s format is ideal, pitting Linsly vs. Central. Those are the two schools people identify Prosser with.

I have faith in the generosity in the Ohio Valley that a major sponsor or two will surface to keep a good thing going.

RALLY FOR LIFE

THE THIRD annual Beallsville vs. Woodsfield/Monroe Central Alumni Football Game is set for Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Beallsville football field.

The game benefits the Beallsville Rally for Life. The Beallsville Rally for Life has raised $356,000 over the past 10 years in helping families dealing with cancer. It was the brainchild of Delmas Moore, Scooter Tolzda and Brenda Lloyd.

The game is open to any graduate of Beallsville, Woodsfield or Monroe Central high schools. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and concession stand. Those attending are asked to bring their oldest class ring for a chance to win a gift card.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Woodsfield/Monroe Central alumni wishing to play should contact Chris Wilson at 740-213-7346 while interested Beallsville alumni should call Michael Maddy at 740-391-2228.

The original intent of the rally was to get youths to realize the need to give back to their own community and the power of service. On May 3, Beallsville will have a rally day while on May 16 officials announce what needy families in the community will receive the money.

BUBBA’S BITS

MONDAY IS a line-in-the-sand moment for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Should the 0-1-1 Black & Gold fall at Tampa Bay it may be a harbinger of a long campaign and time for a coaching change. Sometimes a coach, regardless of how successful, can stay too long and his message rings hollow.

THE OHIO Valley Basketball Coaches Association clinic is set for today from noon to 6 p.m. at Finnegan Fieldhouse on the campus of Franciscan University in Steubenville. The presenters that day will be Joe Wallace of Franciscan; Ben Howlett of West Liberty; Travis Schawb of Muskingum University; Dave Wojcik of TMPW Explorers AAU and former D-I college coach and Danny Sancomb of California of Pa. Cost of the clinic is $20 per coach.

CONGRATULATIONS to Nikki McEndree. The Barnesville High volleyball coach reached a nice milestone recently with her 200th career victory at the Shamrock helm. Her team is enjoying another banner campaign.

TOM RINALDI of ESPN is by far the best sports interviewer in the business. His grilling of Urban Meyer last week was riveting.

THE FEEL-good story of the Ohio Valley prep grid season so far has to be Hundred ending its 50-game losing streak. The Hornets had not won on the gridiron since 2010 until beating Hannan last week. The program also had to endure a devastating flood last year, wiping out its facilities and equipment. Hundred may be a small community but it is huge in pride.

RYAN DAY did an exceptional job filling in for Urban Meyer directing the Ohio State grid juggernaut. He is also getting a nice stipend for the work — a $487,000 bonus. Bigger paydays loom as Day will be the leading candidate for D-I head coaching jobs next year. USC and Day would be a good fit.

WHEELING CENTRAL grad Remington Markos is the new head men’s basketball coach at Barber-Scotia College. The NAIA institution is based in Concord, N.C. Markos, 29, is a Fairmont State grad with prior coaching experience at Bluefield State. Barber-Scotia is a member of the Southern Crossroads Conference.

BEALLSVILLE HIGH will officially dedicate its spacious and impressive fieldhouse this Friday prior to the Blue Devils grid matchup with Bridgeport.

ANTHONY VIOLI of Steubenville dotted the I in the home-side Script Ohio at the conclusion of halftime Saturday’s Ohio State-Tulane game. The 100-year-old Violi is an Ohio State alumnus and former Buckeye band member.

BAKER MAYFIELD brings infectious energy to the Browns. Should Hue Jackson ever opt to start Tyrod Taylor again over a healthy Mayfield he should be fired on the spot.

THE INAUGURAL Home Savings Bank Community Hoop Fest at Ohio University Eastern is set for Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Health and Physical Education Center. It will feature a youth clinic for children in K-6th grade as well as a 3-on-3 hoop tourney with eight divisions. There will be 5th/6th grade, 7th/8th grade and high school divisions for boys and girls as well as separate adult divisions for men and women. OUE Athletics Director E.J. Schodzinski will direct the youth clinic and will be assisted by men?s coach Joel Nau, women?s coach Chace Smith and the OUE men?s and women?s basketball teams. The clinic is a must for youngsters as Schodzinski is a dynamic clinician. Cost is $10 for the youth clinic and $30 for a team in the 3-on-3 tournament. The cost for the youth clinic will be waived with the donation of a winter coat. For more information or to register, email schodzin@ohio.edu or call 740-699-2503.