Photo Provided Wheeling Park athletics director Dwaine Rodgers was recently named the West Virginia Athletics Director of the Year.

WHEELING — If there is an athletic event going on at Wheeling Park, it’s almost certain that athletics director Dwaine Rodgers won’t be far from the action.

A Wheeling Park graduate himself, Rodgers has made sure that athletics at his alma mater continues to run smoothly on a daily basis.

His hard work has paid off. Not only in running an outstanding athletics program but he was recently named the West Virginia Athletics Director of the Year.

“I am very honored,” Rodgers said. “That kind of award is not just me, though. It’s Ohio County Schools. It starts at the top with Dr. (Kimberly S.) Miller, Mr. (Rick) Jones, the Board of Education, Amy Minch, coaches, custodians, maintenance, Jerry Ames, my secretary Lexy Frangos and all the high school secretaries.

“I appreciate it. To be looked at that way by your peers is special but it’s not just me. I just hope I represent not only Wheeling Park High School but Ohio County Schools in a positive light.”

Although he spends a great deal of time working, his wife, Rhea, has been by his side every step of the way.

“I really want to thank my wife, Rhea,” Dwaine Rodgers said. “She has put up with the time and hours that I have worked and I just really want to thank her for that.”

It’s the first time Rodgers has been honored with the award, which according to WVSSAC Executive Director Bernie Dolan, was well overdue.

“I’ve known Dwaine since junior high,” Dolan said. “We competed against each other, we played together at Wheeling Park and we coached together at Wheeling Park. He is one of the hardest working guys I know.

“He pays attention to detail and is a stickler for doing things the right way. This is overdue and well-deserved.”

Not only does Rodgers keep things running for Wheeling Park but his efforts have helped state tournaments such as the Super Six and the state golf tournament continue to excel over the years.

“For our office, Dwaine has hosted sectional and regional events and has served as the director for the Super Six and the state golf tournament,” Dolan said. “I appreciate all that he does for kids in Ohio County.

“One good thing about being at a good school is that someone always wants to use the facilities. Dwaine has to make sure they are available and make sure someone is there to cover it. He can always keep things going with good quality.”

As far as his work ethic goes, Rodgers has had several role models over the years — none bigger than his father and father-in-law.

“My dad, Bob Rodgers and Rhea’s dad, the late Frank Dumas, are heroes in my life,” Rodgers said. “They taught me hard work. I had this desire. I saw what my father was doing as a carpenter.

“I remember sitting in a classroom knowing it was snowing or raining and my dad was out there and I thought ‘I don’t know if I want to do that.’ So, I wanted to go to school but what did I want to do?

“I’ve had some people who touched my life here –coaches and teachers. So I thought ‘I want to be a teacher. I want to be a coach.’ I knew I wanted to rise up the so-called corporate ladder and in this case the educational ladder. Now, here I am.”

Wheeling Park has always been in his heart. It’s a part of his family and Rodgers has always taken great pride in that.

“I went to school here,” Rodgers said. “I remember as a junior football player and (Park View Road) was a dirt road and we would walk to practice over at Sonneborn when they were still building this place. Those were some good times.

“My children have gone here, my wife attended here. My father-in-law was a superintendent here. Ohio County Schools have been very close to our hearts.

“I’m so happy and I’m fortunate enough to work at a place where I grew up. I’m a lucky person and there’s not another place I would want to work.”