Today in Wheeling History: July 30—Sam Andy, legendary Wheeling Park basketball coach and educator, dies after a battle with brain cancer (2016).
Samuel John “Coach” Andy was born on June 25, 1940, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Samuel John Andy Sr. and Elaine Harmison Andy McNabb. He graduated from Wheeling High School in 1958 and earned a B.A. in education from West Liberty State College in 1963. Andy began his teaching and coaching career in Ohio at Frazeysburg High School and Tri-Valley High School before returning to Wheeling in 1969 to coach at Wheeling High. In 1976, he led Wheeling High to a AAA state championship—the school’s final year before consolidation. That same year, Andy was named head coach of the newly formed Wheeling Park High School, where he remained until retiring in 2006.
Over a 39-year coaching career, Andy amassed 611 wins, making him the second-winningest big-school boys’ basketball coach in West Virginia history. His teams won state titles in 1980 and 1995, the latter in a legendary triple-overtime victory over Beckley Woodrow Wilson. He guided teams to 21 state tournament appearances and earned multiple OVAC championships and coaching honors. Off the court, Andy was known for his fierce loyalty to players, his advocacy for underserved students, and his devotion to his wife Sandy, especially after her stroke in 1995. He died at age 76 and was buried in Wheeling.
To learn more: Obituary – Altmeyer Funeral Homes (https://tinyurl.com/2mvx7crn), Weelunk tribute article (https://tinyurl.com/3934njvm), WTRF remembrance (https://tinyurl.com/yxnj59ne), WV MetroNews coverage (https://tinyurl.com/2buvaz9e), Wheeling News-Register profile (https://tinyurl.com/2buvaz9e), Sam Andy Classic video – YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/msmwhrhe), Lede News - Sam Andy Classic Honors Wheeling Park Coaching Legend (https://tinyurl.com/ya2fnfs7)
Photo credits: Altmeyer Funeral Homes, Lede News, Weelunk
Samuel John “Coach” Andy was born on June 25, 1940, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Samuel John Andy Sr. and Elaine Harmison Andy McNabb. He graduated from Wheeling High School in 1958 and earned a B.A. in education from West Liberty State College in 1963. Andy began his teaching and coaching career in Ohio at Frazeysburg High School and Tri-Valley High School before returning to Wheeling in 1969 to coach at Wheeling High. In 1976, he led Wheeling High to a AAA state championship—the school’s final year before consolidation. That same year, Andy was named head coach of the newly formed Wheeling Park High School, where he remained until retiring in 2006.
Over a 39-year coaching career, Andy amassed 611 wins, making him the second-winningest big-school boys’ basketball coach in West Virginia history. His teams won state titles in 1980 and 1995, the latter in a legendary triple-overtime victory over Beckley Woodrow Wilson. He guided teams to 21 state tournament appearances and earned multiple OVAC championships and coaching honors. Off the court, Andy was known for his fierce loyalty to players, his advocacy for underserved students, and his devotion to his wife Sandy, especially after her stroke in 1995. He died at age 76 and was buried in Wheeling.
To learn more: Obituary – Altmeyer Funeral Homes (https://tinyurl.com/2mvx7crn), Weelunk tribute article (https://tinyurl.com/3934njvm), WTRF remembrance (https://tinyurl.com/yxnj59ne), WV MetroNews coverage (https://tinyurl.com/2buvaz9e), Wheeling News-Register profile (https://tinyurl.com/2buvaz9e), Sam Andy Classic video – YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/msmwhrhe), Lede News - Sam Andy Classic Honors Wheeling Park Coaching Legend (https://tinyurl.com/ya2fnfs7)
Photo credits: Altmeyer Funeral Homes, Lede News, Weelunk
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