West Liberty University Athletics

    A basketball and tennis standout at West Liberty in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Richard "Dick" Pannett helped lead the WLSC basketball teams to multiple WVIAC titles before going on to a successful high school coaching and teaching career.
    The 1956 Follansbee (W.Va.) High School alumnus was a two-time All-WVIAC pick in basketball who was at his best when the lights shone the brightest. Pannett was the 1960 WVIAC Tournament MVP after leading the Hilltoppers past West Virginia Wesleyan in the championship game. He also earned All-Tournament honors the following season when West Liberty won the WVIAC regular-season crown but was upset, 67-66, by West Virginia State in the tournament final.
    Honored as a member of the WVIAC's All-Time All-Conference Team in 1974, Pannett carried his hardwood success into his high school coaching career. He was the 1971 Ohio District 5 Coach of the Year and won the 1976 OVAC boys' basketball championship while coaching at Mingo (Ohio) High School. He went on to win the 1987 OVAC girls' basketball championship at Brooke High School, leading the Lady Bruins to multiple West Virginia Class AAA state tournament appearances.