WHEELING – Jay Adams, a huge figure in the emergence of boys’ soccer in the OVAC, is the latest selection for the 2026 edition of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.

Adams will be among the honored at Wesbanco Arena on Aug. 15, at the annual banquet for Hall of Fame inductees. He’ll be joined by previously announced selections Bob Dunlevy of Warwood and Sandy Williams of Steubenville, representing the 1960s; Bellaire St. John’s Ed “Buzzy” Evans and St. Clairsville’s Jeff Rice of the 1970s; Weir’s Erica West and Bellaire’s Charlie Ward of the 1980s; Cameron’s R.C. Anderson and Barnesville’s Ryan Grear of the 1990s; Harrison Central’s Trent Luyster and Bellaire’s Ashley Vavrek of the 2000s; Weirton Madonna’s Ross Comis and Cambridge’s Eric Fox of the 2010s; along with coaches Dugan Hill (Caldwell) and Tony Ciroli (St. Clairsville); game official Jim Prati; and OVAC Family inductee Perry West.

Adams started coaching youth soccer in Wheeling as early as 1983, and seven years later would help usher the sport into the OVAC, with six schools playing soccer in that initial season. Under the leadership of Adams, who served as the OVAC Soccer Director from 1990-2004, the sport has grown in popularity and participation to where over two dozen schools now play both boys’ and girls’ high school soccer in the conference, culminating in the OVAC Soccer Cup championships, and the OVAC Soccer All-Star match each year.

After starting in 1983, coaching the 6-under group in the Wheeling Area Soccer Association, Adams helped form Wheeling’s first travel soccer team in 1987 — serving as team president until 2001 — competing as the Wheeling Eagles, but now known as FC Wheeling United. That first team would produce five future NCAA Division I soccer players.

Adams’ three sons, Jamie, Jason and Chad, all starred at Linsly School and went on to play at Princeton University. Jamie was West Virginia’s Gatorade Player of the Year in both 1992-93 and 1993-94, and Jason was so honored in 2004-05. All three Adams brothers have been inducted into the W.Va. Soccer Association Hall of Fame, joining their father, who was inducted in 2015. Jay and his sons have worked together and been instrumental in the C3 Soccer Camp, a free camp for youngsters 4-10, where thousands of children have learned soccer skills along with spiritual guidance.

Jay also headed the W.Va. Olympic Development Program for four years, and helped originate The W.Va. Challenge Cup — also known as the Snickers Cup, which started at Wheeling University and has also been played at Wheeling Park.

For his work with the area youth in the soccer world, Adams was honored with the Dr. Lee Jones Patron of Youth Award during the annual YMCA Light of the Valley Luncheon in 2018.