BEALLSVILLE – If you ever look up the definition of dedication, the name Delmas Moore should be attached.

Moore is in his 49th year of teaching in the Switzerland of Ohio School District, the last 48 at Beallsville High. He is also in his 33rd year as the Blue Devils’ athletic director.

Teachers who remain in the classroom for a half-century are few and far between. Athletic directors who serve in that capacity for more than three decades are a special breed.

Moore’s commitment and passion to Beallsville is special. So much so, that the school’s new fieldhouse was christened the Delmas E. Moore Fieldhouse prior to Beallsville’s game with Bridgeport.

The state-of-the-art facility measures 120×60 and features basically ever amenity needed. Along with the Blue Devils? locker room, the building has a visitors’ locker room, a separate wrestling room in which the mats will be able to stay down at all times, a training room, equipment room, weight room and officials dressing room. It also boasts a locker room for the Blue Devils’ cheerleaders.

“I had no idea this was happening. They kept it a total secret. I was clueless,” Moore said. “When I saw my name on the building I was overcome with emotion. I thought about how hard the community has fought hard to keep this school open.

“It has been a struggle. I am elated for our kids,” the 1966 Beallsville High grad added. “Our people have worked so hard. I can see light at the end of the tunnel.”

Moore picked up his Kent State diploma in 1970 and subsequently landed a junior high teaching job at Laings School. He also coached basketball at the Monroe County school.

After one year, he requested a transfer to his alma mater.

“I was told when I asked for the move that Beallsville was going to shut down in a year or two. We have been fighting to stay open ever since and I think we finally put that issue to bed,” Moore said.

Casey Tolzda is a former Blue Devil hoop standout and current Beallsville High principal. He is a close friend of Moore while also serving as emcee for the fieldhouse dedication ceremony.

“I remember working for Delmas when I was in third grade. He would have me set up the football field yard markers for the game and help run errands. We then taught and coached together. I have seen first-hand his integrity and dedication to the program,” Tolzda said. “I would often come in on Sunday nights and he would be there unloading his car from Sam’s Club with fund-raiser items for the athletes. He always made sure the student-athletes had the best. He fought and worked for the school when we had nothing, so to have this facility named after him is just perfect.

“Delmas is a friend to the community and all of the students. He does those things behind the scenes. The stuff that you don’t notice from a public view. But when you work with him side-by-side, you know the students and the programs are always on his mind and heart. He is a class act and loved by all who know him,” he continued. “The fieldhouse was a perfect opportunity to honor Delmas. We wanted to do something while he was still here for us to show our appreciation to him. I cannot think of anyone more appropriate to dedicate the fieldhouse to. His life is Beallsville and the people here. He has been one of my best friends over the years, and I hope he will stay for many years to come. The lives he has touched are countless, and as long as he stays I know he will continue to have a positive impact on this school and community.”

Dave Caldwell is an OVAC Hall of Fame coach, scripting a brilliant 29-year career at the Beallsville grid helm. He guided the Blue Devils to 197 wins, six OVAC titles and eight OHSAA playoff berths. During that time, he developed a close relationship and much respect for Moore.

“When I was in junior high I remember watching Delmas play basketball. He was good at making the corner jumper. He was a very good role model back then,” Caldwell said. “As a senior in high school, he was one of my teachers. He would help any student who needed it.

“As a head football coach he was totally supportive. If a kid needed a helmet Delmas would find the money to buy one. When we needed new uniforms he would always find a way to get them for us,” he noted. “Delmas is very deserving of having the fieldhouse named after him.”

OVAC Executive Secretary Tom Rataiczak was one of a handful of speakers at the dedication ceremony. He and Moore developed a relationship some two decades ago.

“Delmas’ dedication, loyalty and hard work to Beallsville High School has roots deeper than any gas well that has ever been drilled in Monroe County. He is Beallsville personified. Delmas is one of the most caring, polite, humble men I have ever worked with. He is as genuine as they come,” Rataiczak said. “When you consider that the average AD lasts about seven years, the fact that he has been there for over 30 is amazing in itself. A lot of facilities have been named after people throughout the conference over my tenure, but I can think of none that is more deserving that the Delmas E. Moore Fieldhouse.”

“When they unveiled the sign I wondered do I really deserve this? I have been fortunate to be surrounded by great people. I love the people and community,” Moore said. “I have had a good run. Not many people can stay in one place this long. I love my job.”

I have been fortunate to know Moore for many, many years. He is a “salt of the Earth” guy, deserving of every honor that comes his way.

JOHNNY FOOTBALL DEFLATED

JOHNNY MANZIEL is a Heisman Trophy winner and a former first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns.

A week ago, however, he took a back seat to a local native. Manziel was badly outplayed by former Steubenville High great Zach Collaros.

Collaros guided Saskatchewan to a 34-29 win over Montreal in Canadian Football League play. Although the final score was close, the statistical battle between the quarterbacks was anything but.

Manziel, trying to resurrect his pro career north of the border, was a mediocre 9-of-16 for 138 yards. Those numbers pale in comparison to those of Collaros. The former University of Cincinnati star was a sizzling 29-of 41 for 394 yards and a TD.

That sparkling performance is just one of many he has turned in this season, helping the Roughriders to a 9-5 mark, good for second place. The 6-0, 215-pounder has completed 172-of-282 attempts for 2,267 yards and 9 TDs.

Collaros was named the Canadian Football League Player of the Week for his efforts. The OVAC Hall-of-Famer was a three-year starter at quarterback for Steubenville, compiling and an incredible 41-1 record while helping to lead Big Red to back-to-back 15-0 state championships in 2005 and 2006. He eclipsed every Steubenville passing record.

BUBBA’S BITS

OUR PRAYERS and condolences go out to Shadyside head football coach Mark Holenka and his family following the death of his dad, Mike, Wednesday night. I knew him well, a very special man in all aspects who dearly loved his family. Mike was an amazing 101-years-old.

FORMER JEWETT-SCIO High (now part of Harrison Central) head boys’ basketball coach Tom Barrick is the vice-president of the National High School Basketball Association Executive Board.

KENTUCKY HAS been one of the pleasant surprises of the college football season. The Wildcats were 5-0 an ranked 13th in the nation heading into last night’s game at Texas A&M. The Wildcats boast some local flavor. Shadyside High grad Louie Matsakis is an assistant on the Kentucky staff. He has been with the Wildcats for three years. He came to Lexington from the University of Kansas. Moreover, Tony Snell Jr. is one of the leading rushers in the country. He is averaging 127 yards per game. Snell Jr. starred at Westerville Central for Bellaire High coaching legend John Magistro.

THE BERRY College football team is off to a sparkling 5-0 start. Martins Ferry High and Bethany College grad Rich Duncan is the Vikings’ offensive coordinator. Berry, located in Rome, Ga., is averaging nearly 43 points a game with Duncan calling the shots.

THE AMERICANS took a major drubbing in the Ryder Cup. But what has been the case after every such defeat, losing U.S. players spew venom. This time Patrick Reed ripped captain Jim Furyk. Reed should keep quiet as he played a major part in the setback. An exclamation point was placed on the American meltdown when it was reported that Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka got into a heated altercation at a post-tournament party. They claim to be best of friends.

TIMING IS everything. WVU is loaded this year in football while the Big 12 is anything but. Things are shaping up where it is feasible to see the Mountaineers running the regular-season schedule. The road tests are anything but daunting as Iowa State is underachieving while Oklahoma State got drilled at home by Texas Tech. A trip to Austin looms as the toughest road challenge but the jury is out on how good Texas is. The Longhorns did lose to mediocre Maryland. WVU will take care of TCU and Baylor in Morgantown, setting up a Black Friday classic at home with Oklahoma.

KUDOS TO the Wheeling Central golf coach Jim Mortakis and his Maroon Knights for winning the state Class A title. Additional congrats to Knight senior Derrick Harrison on capturing the individual crown by one stroke over Magnolia?s Trey Blain.