OVAC All-Star Game: A Vrotsos Traditon
WHEELING — Family ties run deep in the Rudy Mumley OVAC All-Star Football Game.
So much so, the 71st game has connections with the initial contest.
Vince Levi was on the officiating crew for last night’s contest at Wheeling Island Stadium. He served as the back judge.
Levi is the son of Roger & Sue (Vrotsos) Levi of Martins Ferry. The Vrotsos name is one deeply etched within the OVAC All-Star Football Game annals.
So much so, Levi, age 33, is the third generation of the family to participate in the contest.
His great uncle, Nick Vrotsos, played in the first OVAC All-Star grid game.
Vrotsos was a three-sport star at Martins Ferry, gaining all-Ohio honors in football and basketball.
He earned a football scholarship to Alabama. A knee injury ended his Crimson Tide grid career. He, however, switched to basketball, being named all-SEC as a senior.
He also enjoyed a stellar coaching career.
He coached at Dillonvale and Dover before embarking on a 33-year coaching career at Massillon Washington. He is a member of the Martins Ferry Hall of Fame.
Levi’s grandfather, John “Corky” Vrotsos, is a Ferry legend after building a
powerhouse Purple Riders’ wrestling program. He was also a football and basketball star at Martins Ferry and West Liberty. Vrotsos was selected for the all-star clash but was unable to play as he was sidetracked by faulty train service in returning from California.
More recently, Levi has had an uncle and cousin play in the OVAC game.
Andy Vrotsos, Vince’s cousin and a Linsly linebacking standout, played for West Virginia in 1973, while uncle Keith Vrotsos, a Martins Ferry Hall of Famer, quarterbacked Ohio in 1979.
“It is really cool to be the third generation of the Vrotsos family to be participating in such a great game. I am not a Hall of Famer like the others but it is a special honor,” Levi said. “I grew up watching this game. When Mr. (Dave) Clutter called me in March telling me I was selected to officiate in the game I was shocked. I am excited about being part of such a class event.”
Levi has been officiating football for eight years. He worked his first state playoff game last fall — Huntington vs. Point Pleasant.
“My dad (Roger) has officiated basketball for a long time. He got me interested in officiating. I am very glad he did,” the Martins Ferry resident said. “I have enjoyed it very much. I am also fortunate to work with a great crew during the season. We have excellent camaraderie.”
Levi is part of a regular-season officiating contingent consisting of veterans Sam Jones, Pete Tamborella and Jim Hood.
The OVAC game utilizes a seven-man crew. Levi has worked previously with only one member of the all-star unit — Chad Zambori of Martins Ferry. The remainder of the zebra contingent is composed of three from the Weirton board and one from Parkersburg and one from Morgantown.
“The seven-man crew will help with the extreme heat predicted,” Levi said in a phone interview Wednesday night. “It will be a three-hour long game so you must stay focused in that heat. I worked the Ridgewood at Bellaire game two years ago in 90-plus weather. It was tough.
“Although we haven’t worked together (OVAC’s game crew), we will get together Saturday afternoon,” Levi said. “We will have a meal at 3:30 at WesBanco. Then each of us will put on a presentation on a specific aspect of officiating. Mine is red-zone mechanics.”
Levi is employed by Nucor in Wheeling as an engineer.
BUBBA’S BITS
∫ Buckeye Local’s Ryan Moffo has been named to the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Ohio Academic Team. The former Panthers’ standout played for Rick DeLuca.
∫ The Final major golf tournament of the year plays out this week. I have to go with Jason Day to win the PGA. He is too good a golfer not to win a major this year.
∫ Former Buckeye Local head football coach Karl Justus III is the new grid boss at Conotton Valley. Most recently, he has served as a varsity assistant at Chillicothe High School, helping the Cavaliers to the OHSAA playoffs three times (2015, 2013, 2006).
∫ The Big 12 is talking expansion. Houston and BYU would be the obvious first two choices.
∫ Three local American Legion teams launch their state title bids this week. Moundsville and defending champion Wheeling are in the West Virginia tourney while St. Clairsville Post 159 is competing in Lancaster. We wish all three squads the best of luck.
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