MARTINS FERRY — With the Martins Ferry Athletic Hall of Fame’s nine-member Class of 2025 complete, it’s time to turn the attention to another aspect of recognition — the “Wall of Honor.”

This category — entering its 10th year — serves as a way to thank those people who have made significant contributions or support to the athletic program in a variety of “behind the scenes” ways.

This year’s selections are Ron Hill and the late Bill Leach.

While not directly part of the Hall of Fame, these individuals will be honored during the Martins Ferry Athletic Hall of Fame event — presented by Unified Bank – both at the afternoon reception at the high school and during on-field ceremonies at halftime of the Purple Riders’ home game against Malvern on Friday, August 29 — and their photos will be placed directly across from the Hall of Fame display outside the cafeteria at MFHS.

Previous honorees to the “Wall of Honor” were Jim Knellinger, Bill Meyers, Bill Pratt and Dr. Divakar Bangera (2016); John Applegarth, Fred Beck, Henry McCue and Robert “Shorty” Wilson (2017); Frank W. Bowen, Annie C. Tanks, Robert McNabb and Larry Deaton (2018); Warren Hood, Tony Collette, Russ Armstrong and Tony Suriano (2019); Larry Green, Heloise Knapp, Gail Horner and Bob Zilai (2020); Jack Boston, Ron Holzopfel, Larry Riser and Dr. Harold Meyer (2021); Evert Briggs, Ken Campanizzi, Bob Hill and Joe Kosar (2022); Joe Gala, Roxie Siburt, the late Edmund “Half” Joseph and Dwayne “Bubba” Coleman (2023); Roger Best, Vance Deihl, Paul Matuska and Nancy Shaffer (2024).

Here’s a look at this year’s selections:

RON HILL

A 1972 graduate of MFHS, Hill has spent four decades involved in the Purple Riders’ boys’ basketball program.

Serving alongside head coaches Jeff Sabatino and Derek Edwards dating back to the 1980s, he has coached at every level including seventh grade, eighth grade, ninth grade, junior varsity and varsity assistant.

A selfless and loyal contributor who provides a valuable sounding board for the head coach, Hill was a three-year letterman and senior captain for the Riders’ basketball team and a one-year letterman in track.

BILL LEACH

A 1972 MFHS graduate, “Lon Boy” was an avid Purple Rider supporter in a variety of ways throughout his life.

He served as the public address announcer and scorekeeper for boys and girls basketball games, was a long-time member of the Purple Rider Booster Club and was willing to help in any capacity when asked.

Leach was also a basketball official for 23 years, umpired slo-pitch softball and at one point coached youth baseball for the Martins Ferry Civics. A long-time employee of Wheeling Downs, he was a life-long fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Celtics. He passed away in 2024 at the age of 70.