West Liberty University Athletics

    Jerry Fato was a three-year starter at quarterback for the outstanding Bob Roe-coached teams from 1968-70, leading the Black and Gold to a 19-7-2 record and the school's first NAIA national playoff berth.
    Fato transferred to West Liberty prior to the 1968 season and immediately began rewriting the Hilltopper record book. He threw for 652 yards as a sophomore, followed that up with a 1,227-yard junior season and finished with 935 aerial yards during West Liberty's 1970 NAIA playoff run.
    That 1970 team finished the season ranked No. 4 in the NAIA with an 8-0-1 record, earning a berth in the NAIA national semifinals against Wofford (S.C.). The Hilltoppers came up just short, falling to the Terriers by a 12-6 score. Fato ended his career with 2,994 yards of total offense, 2,814 passing yards and 27 TD passes – all school records at the time!
    After graduating, he began a 30-year career with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel while also finding time to coach football at Steubenville (Ohio) Catholic Central and Weirton Madonna high schools.