Today in Wheeling History: August 2--Stanley E. Romanoski, future attendee of St. Vincent's Grade School and Triadelphia High School in Wheeling, and later WVU sports legend and track coach, is born in Homestead, Pennsylvania (1918).
Stanley E. Romanoski, born on August 2, 1918, in Homestead, Pennsylvania, became a pivotal figure in West Virginia track and field and cross country for over four decades. After moving to Wheeling in 1923, he attended St. Vincent's Grade School and then Triadelphia High School, where he excelled in track, winning state 880-yard titles in 1935 and 1936. He attended Belmont Abbey College for two years before transferring to West Virginia University, where he was part of the 1941 mile relay team that set a long-standing school record.
Romanoski's coaching career began at Ansted High School (now Midland Trail High School) in 1942, interrupted by Navy service during World War II. Upon return, he rebuilt Ansted's athletic program before moving to Dunbar High School in 1948. At Dunbar, his nine-year tenure was marked by success in football and track, culminating in a state championship and Coach of the Year award in 1957.
In 1957, Romanoski began his 24-year tenure at West Virginia University as head coach for men's track and field and cross country. His teams achieved impressive records: 70-39-1 in track and 128-64 in cross country. He coached three Southern Conference cross country title teams and seven All-American trackmen, including notable athletes like Carl Hatfield, Mike Mosser, and Dave Tork. Romanoski also coached WVU's first African-American varsity athlete, Philip Edwards.
Beyond coaching, Romanoski significantly impacted track and field in West Virginia. He founded the Mountaineer Relays and the WVU Invitational cross country meet, originated the state prep cross country meet, and started WVU's indoor track program. He led efforts for new track facilities at WVU in the 1970s and served in leadership roles in the IC4A track coaches' association. Romanoski passed away on June 26, 2004, leaving a lasting legacy honored by his induction into multiple halls of fame, including the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Wheeling Hall of Fame in 2013.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/LpBkd) (https://shorturl.at/EviJs) (https://shorturl.at/uaE72)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Hall of Fame, WVU Sports Hall of Fame
Stanley E. Romanoski, born on August 2, 1918, in Homestead, Pennsylvania, became a pivotal figure in West Virginia track and field and cross country for over four decades. After moving to Wheeling in 1923, he attended St. Vincent's Grade School and then Triadelphia High School, where he excelled in track, winning state 880-yard titles in 1935 and 1936. He attended Belmont Abbey College for two years before transferring to West Virginia University, where he was part of the 1941 mile relay team that set a long-standing school record.
Romanoski's coaching career began at Ansted High School (now Midland Trail High School) in 1942, interrupted by Navy service during World War II. Upon return, he rebuilt Ansted's athletic program before moving to Dunbar High School in 1948. At Dunbar, his nine-year tenure was marked by success in football and track, culminating in a state championship and Coach of the Year award in 1957.
In 1957, Romanoski began his 24-year tenure at West Virginia University as head coach for men's track and field and cross country. His teams achieved impressive records: 70-39-1 in track and 128-64 in cross country. He coached three Southern Conference cross country title teams and seven All-American trackmen, including notable athletes like Carl Hatfield, Mike Mosser, and Dave Tork. Romanoski also coached WVU's first African-American varsity athlete, Philip Edwards.
Beyond coaching, Romanoski significantly impacted track and field in West Virginia. He founded the Mountaineer Relays and the WVU Invitational cross country meet, originated the state prep cross country meet, and started WVU's indoor track program. He led efforts for new track facilities at WVU in the 1970s and served in leadership roles in the IC4A track coaches' association. Romanoski passed away on June 26, 2004, leaving a lasting legacy honored by his induction into multiple halls of fame, including the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Wheeling Hall of Fame in 2013.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/LpBkd) (https://shorturl.at/EviJs) (https://shorturl.at/uaE72)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Hall of Fame, WVU Sports Hall of Fame
RSS Feed
