After 30 years in Wheeling, the Super Six Football Championships will be heading south later this year, as the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission board on Thursday announced the games will return to Charleston.

The Capital City hosted the games for years before they moved to Wheeling. Part of the reason the games moved north dealt with poor support from the community and leaders in Charleston, along with waning attendance and a poor facility.

Wheeling turned the event into something exciting for the players and their families. For 30 years, through community involvement, solid support from government at all levels and the idea that the weekend was meant to be about the kids, the Friendly City served as the model host.

That has come to an end, though, as Charleston set forth a number of promises on how it will improve the championship experience. The final weekend of football will expand to eight teams this year with the addition of a Class AAAA.

“I’m really disappointed to see it go,” said Ohio County Schools Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones, who helped make this year’s pitch to the WVSSAC board. “We’ve had the last 30 years to make it an amazing event in our community. Our BOE and school system deserve so much thanks for making the Super Six as amazing as it was. We had countless volunteers and community members who supported this event. Even Marshall County worked with us to ensure we had enough hotels and community support. I’m grateful to Jason (Marling) and Casey (Storm) for that.

“We have had the privilege of hosting the finest athletes in the state for the last three decades. The WVSSAC feels this is the best decision moving forward, and we have to respect that.”

Wheeling Park Athletics Director Chris Daugherty thanked those who helped make the Super Six such a success over the past three decades. “I feel bad that it’s leaving for the simple fact that there are so many community members who have put an immense amount of time and energy into this event. From volunteers to school personnel, with Dwaine Rodgers and Greg Stewart, there were just so many people that made the Super Six what it was. Over time, Wheeling has raised the bar. For our state, it’s a good thing that other cities and communities have caught on and wanted to match or outdo it.”

“Wheeling has been a great host the past 30 years,” WVSSAC executive director C. David Price said. “They set the bar high for other cities to even consider the challenge of hosting the football championships. We thank the many individuals who provided leadership through the years for the Super Six.”

Charleston’s bid reportedly includes a focus on the student-athlete experience. There will be a drone light show and other options to improve upon what Wheeling had done.

“We are excited with the offer extended by the Charleston community to host the football championships at Laidley Field,” Price said. “The local organizing group is committed to the student and fan experience as well as the financial success of the event.”

Next season will mark the first year for expanding the championships into four classifications with the addition of a Class AAAA. Games will be schedule for Friday, Dec. 6 at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 7 at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“We are thrilled to host the WVSSAC High School football tournament and look forward to welcoming athletes and their families to our Capital City,” said Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “Thank you to the host committee and our community partners who continue supporting our efforts to grow sports tourism in Charleston. Hosting this tournament is a win for both sports enthusiasts – bringing energy and spirit to our community while providing an opportunity for teams to showcase their talent, and for our local economy – boosting visits to local shops and restaurants and overnight stays at local hotels.”

The Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with support from the City of Charleston, Kanawha County Commission, and a volunteer host committee, presented the winning bid for the football championships in January.

“This is an exciting day for Charleston. We’re excited to bring this championship event back to the Capital City,” said Tim Brady, President/CEO of the Charleston CVB. “The focus of our bid was the student-athlete experience, we want to make the trip to Charleston to play for a state championship a memorable experience for athletes, coaches, support staff and fans.”