MARTINS FERRY — The Ohio Valley Athletic Conference backtracked on its decision to withhold $300 from the West Virginia coaching staff Tuesday afternoon.

Just 24 hours removed from docking the West Virginia staff, OVAC Executive Secretary Tom Rataiczak and Rudy Mumley All-Star Game Director Bob Koch met in the OVAC office and jointly agreed to pay the coaches the remaining money that it had penalized it.

The West Virginia staff was docked the money because it went against conference orders and changed shirts at halftime of Saturday night’s 72nd annual game to honor Bishop Donahue, which has been closed.

As news of the withholding spread Monday, a firestorm came with it as social media took off. The majority of people who spoke out chastised the conference’s stance.

“We made a decision to return the money to because of the uproar,” Rataiczak said. “Our original decision wasn’t intended to cause that. But, it did and we felt moving forward that this was the best thing to do. I honestly did not think (the original decision) would create the furor that it did.”

The OVAC issued both staffs a coaching shirt, which it intended to be worn to all activities during the week as well as the game.

However, West Virginia head coach John Durdines approached the OVAC officials about the possibility of his staff wearing Bishop Donahue shirts in the second half since it would be the final time the staff was together and to pay one final homage to the school where they coached and many attended. The OVAC denied that request, but the Mountain State coaches opted to do it anyway.

“It was never about the money and it’s a shame it had to go down like it did,” Durdines said via text message. “This never affected me or the incredible week I had with the young men, culminating with a thrilling victory. I was sad for the OVAC. It is the best conference, but in order to remain the best they are going to put the (players, coaches and officials) who make it the best their priority. I no longer have a dog in the fight, but I love high school sports and I want to see (the OVAC) continue to thrive.”

Though West Virginia received its full $1,800 stipend, Rataiczak, Koch and the entire Mumley Game committee plan to meet in the coming weeks to discuss the future to make sure these types of events are avoided.

“We are going to look at how the coaches are selected and then also look at making an agreement with the coaches about what’s expected of them,” Rataiczak said. “We have rules in place for the kids if they do something in camp and they can be sent home, so now we’ll look at things involving the coaches, too.”