The latest trio of soon-to-be Maroon Knight shrine honorees include Cindy Albert, Jim Wodusky and Ambrose Bober. They join Pat Korsnick, Dave Knight, P.J. Henry, Dr. Robert Herron, Zachary Basich and Eric Novick who have been previously announced.

All of the honorees will be feted during the Maroon Knights’ annual Hall of Fame Brunch on Saturday, Sept. 27, sponsored by Dan Stephens State Farm Insurance at the CCHS Great Hall.

Only a limited number of tickets are available for this event and are $25 per person. They can be purchased by contacting the school at 304-233-1660 or stopping by between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. during the month of August. They may also be purchased by calling Coach Mike Young at 304-312-9125.

All previous Hall of Fame inductees are invited. They need to make reservations in advance.

CINDY ALBERT

The brunch begins at 10 a.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. It will be catered by Generations. The Wheeling Central Football Moms and cheerleaders will be assisting during the brunch.

On Friday, Sept. 26 the Wheeling Central football team will be hosting Pittsburgh Perry. All new inductees will also be recognized at halftime of the Perry game.

The Wheeling Central Hall of Fame came into existence in 2016. All honorees must be first nominated. Forms are available on the school’s website.

A capsule look at the three latest honorees.

CINDY ALBERT (Class of 1976) – A true pioneer in the realm of women’s athletics.

AMROSE BODER

Albert is definitely that.

Albert, on the strength of an outstanding four-year basketball career with the Maroon Knights, became the first Wheeling Central female athlete to earn a four-year college athletic/academic scholarship.

She landed the hoop scholarship from Wheeling College, now known as Wheeling University. Albert went on to enjoy a fine four-year basketball and academic career with the Cardinals.

Albert wasn’t just part of Wheeling Central’s basketball legacy–she helped build it.

She played in a time when Title IX was still new, and opportunities for female athletes were still being shaped. But Albert didn’t wait for doors to open–she pushed through them via her talent, determination and heart.

On the basketball court, she was known for her leadership and competitiveness. Off the court, she was a model of character and drive. And while the stats and accolades are worth celebrating, her story didn’t stop there.

She graduated Wheeling College in 1980 with a B.S. degree in business and later earned her MBA from Wheeling Jesuit.

After her successful college tenure, Cindy dedicated her life to service–most recently retiring as Administrator for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, a role that speaks to her strength, compassion and deep faith. Even in retirement, she doesn’t slow down–she’s running 5Ks and volunteering her time with community organizations, and is actively involved with her family, proving every day that purpose and impact don’t end when the final buzzer sounds.

Her life is a testimony to what it means to lead, to serve and to inspire. Her Hall of Fame induction isn’t just a recognition of past achievements–it’s a celebration of a legacy that continues to grow.

Cindy also worked for her father for 13 years as office manager for his electrical contracting company.

JIM WODUSKY (Class of 1980) – Wodusky was a key performer on the Maroon Knights 1979 state football championship team coached by legendary Jim Thomas. Wodusky played an integral role in that Maroon state championship march as he scored the winning touchdown against Poca to send Wheeling Central to the state final.

Wodusky later assisted Thomas with the Central grid program, helping the Knights capture several more state crowns. After that, Wodusky was part of Coach Mike Young’s grid staff, assisting with a host of additional WVSSAC gridiron crowns.

“I can reflect back on the days when Jim would practice and run routes and go as hard as the players which gave us a great opportunity to evaluate our players. He was very dedicated and very intense as a player and as a coach,” Young noted. “He was very talented as a receiver and especially talented in baseball as a player and as a coach. His dedication, determination and love of the game is what gave him the passion to play and coach.”

Wodusky also assisted Terry Edwards with Central’s baseball program before taking over head-coaching duties. Wodusky’s teams won several state baseball crowns.

“Jimbo has a lengthy record of success both on the football field and on the baseball field. He is fortunate enough to have played for Central and years later, coached for Central. His reputation as a coach is still spoken of today,” Young said. “When you run into one of his former players they speak to him and of him with a level of respect. They know now that while he may have been hard on them or demanded the most out of them when they played for him, they know that it was for their own good. It was for not only their development on the field but for their development later in life. There are lots of good coaches out there. Coaches who can get through to a player so they can get the play, or the swing or the pitch right.

“There are only a few great coaches out there who can get through to a player and have such an impact that they never forget what they taught them. They never forget the plays, the swings, the pitches that all turned into lessons,” added the National Hall of Fame football coach added. “Those players will speak the knowledge that was taught to them to their children and their players one day. The great ones keep that passion burning in their players long after the flame burns out.”

AMBROSE BOBER (Class of 1970) – When it comes to dedication and passion in regards to Wheeling Central, the name Ambrose Bober quickly comes to mind.

Bober, for his countless years of devotion, love and care for Wheeling Central, has been named the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Service Award in conjunction with this year’s Hall of Fame ceremonies.

During his prep days at Central, Bober was a solid contributor with the Maroon Knights’ basketball and baseball teams. It is coaching, however, that Bober has and is still making an impactful and ongoing mark with Central student-athletes.

His career at Central, especially with the Maroon’s girls’ softball program, is steeped in outstanding success.

Bober began coaching with the Central softball program in 1993. Some 32 seasons later, Bober continues to serve as an assistant coach with the Lady Knights.

Bober was on the staff when Central won its first-ever state softball championship in 1995. Making that WVSSAC diamond crown even sweeter is that his daughter was the winning pitcher in the title game.

That 1995 state championship ignited three decades of Central softball success on the state level. Ambrose has helped to guide the Lady Knights to state crowns in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Central’s softball domination is also reflected in the OVAC. With Bober on staff, Central has captured conference championships in 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2018 and 2024.

That is a lot of championships.

Bober doesn’t limit his coaching expertise to just Central. He has organized and directed softball camps for youths in the Ohio Valley. He can be found in the summer and fall offering free batting practice to anyone who would like the extra help.

“Ambrose has always been in total support of softball and all the sports programs at CCHS,” National Hall of Fame coach Mike Young said. “Ambrose has been instrumental in displaying faith and family first and foremost in all responsibilities as a coach and father. Ambrose has for countless years been an outstanding alumni on and off the field in the community.”