With the Martins Ferry Athletic Hall of Fame’s nine-member Class of 2026 complete, it’s time to turn the attention to the other aspects of recognition – the “Wall of Honor” and “Teams of Distinction”.

The “Wall of Honor” category 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 Carol Burda and Jimmy Hood.

While not directly part of the Hall of Fame, these individuals will be honored during Hall of Fame Day – both at the afternoon reception at the high school and during on-field ceremonies at halftime of the Purple Riders’ home game against Columbus Mifflin on Friday, August 28 – and their photos will be placed directly across from the Hall of Fame display outside the cafeteria at MFHS.

The “Teams of Distinction” category was established to bring to light Purple Rider teams who may not have been state champions like the three teams inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015 (1930 baseball, 1941 basketball, 1941 football) but they set standards in their sport by reaching the regional finals and/or state level, and others deemed to have gone “above and beyond” in some manner. This year, the teams selected are the 2009-10 girls’ swim team and the 2011 golf team.

These teams will be recognized at the home varsity football game on Friday, September 4 when the Purple Riders face Pittsburgh Brashear. A photo of the teams will join those previously selected on the wall inside the MFHS cafeteria.

Here’s a look at this year’s MF “Wall of Honor” and “Teams of Distinction”:

Wall of Honor

Carol Burda

In addition to her office duties dating back to the 1970s as an aide and secretary, Burda also doubled as the ticket manager for Purple Rider athletics.

She was also the EMIS (Education Management Information System) Coordinator at MFHS, providing student information to the state. Among her extensive duties over the years were record keeping, preparing graduation materials, phones and computers.

Burda was also an MFHS Student Council Advisor for 30 years which included overseeing such activities as the Homecoming Dance, Spirit Week and Parade, and Queen of Queens Pageant among others.

Jimmy Hood

A 1983 graduate of MFHS, Hood served Rider Nation in many roles including junior high football coach, assistant baseball coach and scorekeeper, girls’ basketball scorekeeper and bus driver to athletic events.

Hood was an Ohio Valley basketball official for a whopping 41 years, working 11 OHSAA boys’ state tournament games and seven OHSAA girls’ state tournament games in addition to countless sectional, district and regional games along with OVAC playoff contests. He was selected as the District 12 Basketball Official of the Year in 1999.

He was a three-sport Purple Rider athlete (football, basketball, basketball). In football, he was the quarterback of the 1982 team that posted an 8-2 record; in basketball he was a member of the 1981-82 Class AA Regional runner-up team; and in baseball he was a left-handed pitcher-outfielder.

Hood worked at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel and as a driver for the Senior Services of Belmont County.

Teams of Distinction

2009-10 Girls Swim Team

The 2009-2010 girls’ swim team put together a banner season under Coach Nick Levi.

Along the way, the Lady Riders finished first overall and in the small school division of the OVAC Swim Championships; fifth in the OHSAA Sectional and 12th in the OHSAA District. Ferry also took first in the Belmont County Kickoff Meet and St. Clairsville Invitational; second in the Brooke Invitational and Barnesville Invitational; third in the John Marshall Invitational; fourth in the St. Clairsville Pentathlon and Dover Invitational.

The girls’ team included Laura Rojas, Katie Lough, Katie Longenette, Shannon Lewis, Gabrielle Fulst, Alyssa Smith, Christina Lattimer, Katie Wharton, Rebecca Deaton Elise Maguire and Salina Howard. Nick Levi was assisted by Andrew Chesonis and Sue Levi.

2011 Golf Team

The 2011 Purple Riders’ golf team was the most accomplished as a group, becoming the first to qualify for OHSAA Division II District Tournament by winning the Sectional championship.

The Ferrians, coached by Joe Kosar, also claimed the school’s second OVAC championship – winning the Class 3A crown – along with claiming the Ohio Valley Golf League title and finishing second in the Buckeye 8. The team posted a 40-2 record in league play and was 114-18 overall.

Members of the squad were juniors Andrew Chlon (Sectional medalist), Taylor Shane (OVAC medalist), Chase Stuckey and Zac Riggenbach; seniors Doug Robey and Bill West and junior Kaitlyn Bliss, who excelled individually in girls’ competition by finishing second in the OHSAA Sectional and qualifying for the District – a feat she repeated as a senior.