By KIM NORTH

Times Leader Sports Writer

BRIDGEPORT — Three deserving individuals and a pair of stellar teams will be inducted into the Bridgeport High School Athletic Wall of Fame during ceremonies Saturday at the high school.

The honorees include Kevin Krob (Class of 1988), Wilson Pooge Adams (Class of 1976), Rich Brothers (Class of 1979), along with the 1974 undefeated football team and the 1980-81 girls’ basketball team.

Krob, Adams and Brothers will be recognized inside the John J. Havlicek Gymnasium at the conclusion of the JV boys’ basketball game between Bellaire and Bridgeport at approximately 3:15 p.m. The varsity contest between the Big Reds and Bulldogs will tip at approximately 3:45.

The football and girls’ basketball honorees will be recognized at halftime. A social and tours of the school building will take place following the game. The induction banquet begins at 6 in the cafetorium.

KROB was a very decorated Bulldog, having earned 11 varsity letters. He starred in baseball for 4 years where he was all-Eastern Ohio, all-valley, all-OVAC, first team all-district and first team all-state. He was chosen to participate in Mizuno All-Star Series in Columbus.

He lettered three years each in basketball and football, earning all-OVAC and all-district honors.

After high school, Krob attended West Liberty State College and received his bachelor’s degree in business. He was a 4-year member of the baseball team where he helped lead the Hilltoppers to a pair of West Virginia Conference championships, as well as participating in the NAIA College World Series.

He currently works for Verizon Wireless and has been married to Lanette (LaMotte) Krob for 22 years. They have two children, Madison (21) and Shane (18).

ADAMS attended Capital University in Columbus after graduating from BHS. He was graduated from there in 1980 with a marketing/management degree. While attending Capital Adams played both basketball and football for the Crusaders.

“This was a great experience that I have always looked back on with a big smile,” he said.

After graduating he became employed with Ashland Oil, Inc. and was sent to St. Paul, Minn. In 1987, he was transferred to Richmond, Ind., and then moved to Indianapolis in 1992. He and his wife, Sheri, reside just south of Indianapolis in Franklin.

A career change in 1995 led Adams to the Funeral and Cemetery Industry in which he held various positions until starting his own Granite and Marketing Companies in 1997. He will be retiring this year.

BROTHERS attended West Liberty State College and was graduated in December, 1983 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration.

He married Lori Noble from Martins Ferry in January, 1984. The couple lived in Northern Virginia for 10 years where both of their daughters (Erin and Keri) were born. They moved to the Atlanta area in 1993. Brothers has worked in the Irrigation and Outdoor Lighting Industry for 28 years. He is now employed as a claims analyst in the Utility Industry.

THE 1980-81 girls’ basketball team was, arguably, the of the finest in school history. The Lady Bulldogs put together a sparkling 19-1 regular season which was good for the OVAC A championship. The regular-season record was also good enough to garner the team a fifth-place ranking in the Associated Press state poll. Bridgeport’s lone loss that season was a heart-breaking, 55-54, last-second reversal at Martins Ferry.

The Lady Bulldogs opened post-season play with a 68-39 win over Mingo before routing Shadyside, 92-24, to claim the sectional championship. Bridgeport cruised to an 83-41 win over Caldwell before downing Garaway 64-48 to win the district crown. The Lady Bulldogs dream season came to a close with a 59-49 loss to Canal Winchester, which was ranked second in the Associated Press state poll.

THE 1974 Bulldogs were coached by Gary Zelinski, who played on the 1964 West Liberty baseball national championship team. He was also the head baseball coach.

Future Bridgeport school board member Jeff Grandstaff rushed for more than 1,000 yards to lead the offense and went on to play at Muskingum College.

The offensive line had three starters who went on to play at the college level in center Jeff Tomer (Bethany) and tackles, Jim Ducker (Ohio Northern) and Delbert Brown (Waynesburg).

The team was so deep that the aforementioned Adams was a junior WR/QB who barely saw playing time. He went on to play two sports at the college level at Capital University. Adams held all of Capital’s receiving records when he graduated.

Bob St. John was the quarterback who flawlessly directed the offense, rushing for more than 500 yards. He was also a ballhawk from his safety position on defense.

Bridgeport rotated a tandem of five running backs, Grandstaff, Bob Kominsky, John Timko (now an Ohio Valley football official), John Alexander, who was an OVAC sprint champion and later ran for Bethany College, and Randy Mellott.

The defense was the their forte, allowing on a little over 5 points per game. They shut out St. Clairsville, Barnesville, Union Local, Buckeye North and Bellaire St. John and allowed single scores to Shadyside and Buckeye South.

The Bulldogs aggressive defensive strategy resulted in 28 interceptions with St. John and Grandstaff picking off 8 each, along with 5 each by Robbie Everson and Bob Kominsky.

University of Pittsburgh wrestler-to-be, Dick Primovic, Tomer and Steve Tomolonis were the linebackers, backing up the huge defensive line that was led by Brown, Keith Talick, Chuck Newell, Jim and Ed Ducker, who was a sophomore and followed his brother to play at Ohio Northern.

The team finished second in the OHSAA playoff in its region. In 1974, only one team was taken from each region.