The Buckhannon-Upshur High School Class of 1968 honored a deceased classmate by raising more than $4,000 in his memory as part of their 50th reunion this summer.
John Young was one of 75 people killed when a plane carrying members of the Marshall University football team crashed near Huntington on Nov. 14, 1970. Young, who played tight-end for the state champion 1966 football Buccaneers, was a sophomore with the Thundering Herd when the plane crashed.
He was 20 years old, the middle of five Young siblings: oldest sister Sally, older sister Suzanne, younger sister Camella and youngest brother G.O.
In his memory, Buckhannon-Upshur High School has awarded the John Young Award to the best senior male athlete every year since 1971. The winners are recognized with a plaque and included in a trophy case at the school.
“John Young was an exceptional athlete in football, basketball and track at Buckhannon-Upshur High School, and the Class of 1968’s classmate and friend,” reads the Class of 68’s reunion website. “After John’s death, the B-UHS Class of 1968 established the ‘John Young Memorial Award’ and created a place in the trophy case at the high school in John’s memory.”
To replenish the fund, classmates sold pictures from the Howard Hiner collection and solicited donations during their 50th Reunion. A total of 65 photos – donated by Danny Green – were auctioned off. Other classes also made donations to the fund.
Classmates raised $4,000 in total – more than tripling the fund’s resources.
Sharon McNemar and Jake Anderegg were on hand to present the check to B-UHS principal Eddie Vincent and athletic director Rick Reynolds Wednesday morning.
Part of the funds will be used to modernize the display at the school.
“We just want to make sure this carries on in perpetuity,” McNemar said of the award, which now lists 48 names.
Anderegg reflected on his memories of Young from their days together on the gridiron.
“During the state championship football game, John caught a touchdown pass. It was tipped and landed in his hands,” Anderegg said.
A complete list of John Young Award recipients:
- 1971 – Richard Snyder
- 1972 – G. O. Young
- 1973 – Randall Tenney
- 1974 – Jeffrey Hefner
- 1975 – Dale Zopp
- 1976 – Mickey Tenney
- 1977 – Jeffrey Godwin
- 1978 – Darrell Cable
- 1979 – Brian Hinkle
- 1980 – Scott R. McDaniels
- 1981 – John Poundstone
- 1982 – Brad Westfall
- 1983 – Mike Hinkle
- 1984 – Scott Shaver
- 1985 – Steve Hamrick
- 1986 – Tim L. McNemar
- 1987 – Tom Moore
- 1988 – Robert Kittle
- 1989 – Eric Fluke
- 1990 – Bill Smarr
- 1991 – Dustin Bush
- 1992 – Doug Dean
- 1993 – Jay Whitehair
- 1994 – Scott Hollen
- 1995 – Melvin Woody
- 1996 – Robert Akers
- 1997 – Matt McDaniels
- 1998 – Fred Trainer III
- 1999 – Josh Westfall
- 2000 – Joey Mayle
- 2001 – John Egress
- 2002 – Jeremiah McCourt
- 2003 – James Egress
- 2004 – Zackery Allman
- 2005 – Brandon DeMasters
- 2006 – Keith Branch
- 2007 – Ryan Godwin
- 2008 – Will Squires
- 2009 – Franklin “Linn” Baxa
- 2010 – Chase Long
- 2011 – Adam Brumley
- 2012 – Matt Loughney
- 2013 – Dalton Westfall
- 2014 – Seth Cutright
- 2015 – Cole Payne
- 2016 – Marcus Lofton
- 2017 – Cam Payne
- 2018 – Taylor Whitehair