Hall of Fame
Robert "Bo" McConnaughy was a multi-sport standout at West Liberty who returned to his alma mater after a professional baseball career to become one of the most successful and longest tenured head coaches in Hilltopper history.
The Wheeling native starred in baseball and basketball as a student-athlete. A first-team All-WVIAC shortstop on the diamond, he also ranks among the school’s basketball scoring leaders with 1,542 career points and still holds the Hilltoppers’ single-game assist record with 19. McConnaughy was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1970 and spent four years in pro ball before returning to the Ohio Valley.
McConnaughy spent 30 years as head baseball coach at West Liberty, leading the Black and Gold to seven WVIAC North Division championships and five league titles. His teams advanced to five NAIA Area 7 tournaments and earned a trip to the 1990 NAIA World Series. He also led West Liberty to its first NCAA Division II regional bid in 1998.
McConnaughy coached 54 first-team All-WVIAC performers, four WVIAC Pitchers of the Year, two WVIAC Players of the Year and a pair of All-Americans during his career. Five of his players were drafted by major league organizations with several others signing free-agent contracts.
In addition to his baseball coaching duties, the versatile mentor also served as an assistant coach in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, football and track and did double-duty for seven years as head women’s basketball coach from 1984-91. McConnaughy is also a member of the OVAC Hall of Fame.
