Two individuals who’ve gone above and beyond in support of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference are the latest additions to the OVAC Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.

Set for induction at the 19th Induction Ceremony scheduled Saturday, Aug. 12 at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling are Kelly Rine in the OVAC “Family” category and Bob Robinson as an OVAC “Contributor”.

Previously announced inductees include Dick Reasbeck of St. John Central and Mike Tomasovich of Weir (1950s Athletes), Al Salvadori of Wheeling Central) and Ted Tomasovich of Weir (1960s Athletes), Steve Doe of Warwood and Lance LaFollette of Woodsfield (1970s Athletes), Tim McCrate of Barnesville and Shawn Straughn of Bishop Donahue (1980s Athletes), Jessica Hines of Barnesville and Fred Ray of Martins Ferry (1990s Athletes), Jenny Castle of Barnesville and Koel Davia of Union Local (2000s Athletes), Justin Fox of Magnolia and Max Nogay of Madonna (2010s Athletes).

In two weeks, the selections in the coaches and officials categories will be announced.

The OVAC Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Robinson Auto Group and is part of the OVAC Museum located in WesBanco Arena.

Here’s a look at the inductees:

Kelly Rine

(Bridgeport HS, Class of 1979)

Rine has served the conference in countless roles, always working for the betterment of the student-athletes of the Ohio Valley.

After graduating from West Liberty State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education/Driver Education, his teaching career started at St. Clairsville High School where he also coached football under the late George Strager. After three years at St. C. (1985-87), he went onto Ohio University and received his Master of Science degree in Physical Education/Athletic Administration while also serving as a graduate assistant football coach for two seasons.

For the next 11 years (1990-2001), Rine was employed at Alexander Local Schools in Albany as teacher, coach, Dean of Students and Athletic Director. At Alexander, he co-founded and was chairman of the annual HOOPS Invitational, a one day high school basketball extravaganza held at the Ohio University Convocation Center.

In 2001, he accepted the Athletic Director position at Meadowbrook High School where he remained until 2006. He served a two-year stint as the President of the EOIAAA while at Meadowbrook.

In the fall of 2006, Rine became the Athletic Director at St. Clairsville, retiring from that position at the end of the 2018-19 school year. While he was at St. C., the annual OVAC Cal Giffin Track Championships were moved to Red Devil Stadium, with Rine serving as the Site Manager.

He served as President of SEOIAAA, representative to the OIAAA Board of Control and co-chaired the OIAAA State Conference in 1998 for the Southeast District. He was a committee member for the 2003 and 2009 State Conferences hosted by the East District. He attained his CAA (Certified Athletic Administrator) designation in 1997.

He was the Southeast District Athletic Administrator of the Year in 1999 and received the same honor in 2012 from the East District. In the spring of 2003, he received the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award presented by the EOIAAA, and the National Federation Citation award in 2004. He was inducted into the OIAA Hall of Fame in 2015 and was awarded the OVAC Cal Giffin Track & Field Service Award in 2019.

Rine has served on the OVAC Executive Board as the Class 4A representative since 2004; began serving as the OVAC Class 1/A-2A Golf Director in 2021 and is a member of OVAC Hall of Fame Committee. He also was the Founder/Director of the George Strager Memorial Camp for 25 years (1990-2014), which awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to participants in the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game. He is also a member of the Wheeling HOF Committee.

He is also a football official and softball umpire, and has worked the OVAC all-star games in both sports.

Robert “Bob” Robinson

(Harrisville (WV) High School, Class of 1963)

Robinson has been “the man” when it comes to supporting the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame since its inception in 2004, serving as the presenting sponsor of the event.

His yearly contributions – which to date total in excess of $70,000 – are the primary source of funds that enable the conference to honor and showcase the individuals who make up its rich history.

The owner of Robinson Auto Group located at The Highlands (he purchased his first auto dealership in New Martinsville, WV in 1974), he also served the OVAC in a coaching role, first as head girls’ basketball coach at Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy and then for 20 year as an assistant to Penn Kurtz at Wheeling Central.

Robinson, a supporter of several individual schools within the conference as well, has had a heavy involvement with the YMCA of Wheeling, receiving the “Light of the Valley” award in 2009.

A graduate of West Virginia University, he is a lifetime member of the WVU Alumni Association and is a member of the Mountaineer Athletic Club. He was a 2013 inductee into the West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics Hall of Fame.

Robinson also received the OVAC Denny Magruder Distinguished Service Award in 2011, the second such honoree following the award’s namesake.