West Liberty, W.Va. - The West Liberty University athletic department is continuing to grow their

relationship with the West Liberty Lions Club Family Support Center. The center opened in

August of 2022 and is for families in need through the support of the West Liberty community as

well as West Liberty University students. The Family Support Center is a nonprofit organization

that resides in the town of West Liberty, supporting local families and their needs.

West Liberty University Director of Athletics, Brad Forshey, and other WLU administrators

recently met with FCS leadership; Executive Director Wendy Robinson and former WLU

basketball standout, Chaz Hinds who is now the assistant director. The two groups shared

ideas on how WLU and the FSC can work together to help the local community.

That is exactly the goal for West Liberty Director of Athletics Brad Forshey and the athletic

department.  "Meeting with Wendy and Chaz was motivating" stated Forshey. "The entire WLU

campus has always been generous in giving back to the local communities and this partnership

allows a platform to really impact these families. We couldn't wait to get started on the ideas

that were shared and what better way to get started than to host the FSC at the next football

game."

The athletic department hosted the FSC group at a Hilltoppers football game, where members

had the opportunity to tailgate, tour the Panhandle Performance Zone and the ASRC with WLU

student athletes Kayla Mancuso and Zach Rycroft being the tour guides. A parent of one of the

students who attended said, "Our kids loved today and we as parents were happy to see them

enjoying themselves and we really appreciated everything everyone has done."  Another parent

added, "They had a fantastic time and enjoyed every part of the day! Their favorite part was

meeting a cheerleader" another parent added,  "Overhearing parents discuss how wonderful the activity was made me smile, but when a young teen girl rushed up beside me while on the tour and said I love teen group, because we get to do stuff like this, was when I truly realized how special working with WLU is going to be." Stated Hinds.

"The West Liberty Lions Club Family Support Center serves Bethany, West Liberty and all the

dirt road population of rural Ohio and Brooke Counties. Events like attending the Hilltopper

Football games are very important for their students and families. Hearing the kids get to bond at the football game tailgate and all the things in between was amazing to see. To see the kids

faces light up when they get too high five the football players. It was truly a special feeling. I can't help but think about all the wonderful things that this can bring. We are very excited to be

connecting families and teens with the university." To learn more of what the Family Support

Center offers, tune into the September 30th episode of "Your Town" on Topper Station.

"We plan to collaborate multiple opportunities with the Family Support Center this year" stated

Forshey. "This includes hosting the group at multiple sporting events throughout the year,

mentoring opportunities with student athletes, and much more. The collaboration is campus

wide. Wendy and Chaz have met with other divisions across campus and are planning other

events as well. We say the Hilltop is Home, and that includes all of campus and the

surrounding communities."

The West Liberty Lions Club Family Support Center has no income guidelines. The program is

for every single child, so no kid is left out. Every child and every family is welcome at the center.

The center has hosted several bake sales at WLU basketball games as the kids learn how to

raise money on their own. Their goal this past year was to raise money for a fun end of the year

trip to the Sand Castle. Anybody interested in donating to the West Liberty Lions Club Family

Support Center, please contact Wendy Robinson at gwenspat1@gmail.com.