WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Excellence on the track and cross country course helped make Donald Jernigan one of the top distance runners in West Virginia Conference history. More than five decades after his time on the Hilltop, Jernigan remains connected to the sport that shaped his college experience and to the teammates who shared it with him.

A 2013 inductee into the West Liberty University Athletics Hall of Fame, Jernigan competed in track and field and cross country from 1972-76. During that time, the Mentor, Ohio, native established himself as one of the region's premier distance runners, earning first-team All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors four times in both sports while capturing multiple individual conference titles.

Jernigan's accomplishments extended well beyond conference competition. He broke numerous stadium records across West Virginia in the two-mile, three-mile and six-mile runs while establishing school records in multiple events.
In 1975, Jernigan ranked No. 2 nationally among NAIA competitors in the six-mile run with a time of 29:33. He also ranked among the nation's top 15 in the three-mile run with a clocking of 14:05.

His success earned him opportunities to compete on the national stage in both cross country and track and field. Jernigan finished 31st overall at the 1974 NAIA Cross Country National Championship in Salina, Kansas. In 1975, he placed sixth in the two-mile run at the West Virginia National Outdoor Hall of Fame Track Classic.

Those accomplishments helped establish a legacy that ultimately led to his induction into the West Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.

For Jernigan, however, his West Liberty experience was about more than records, rankings and championship performances. Some of his most lasting memories came from the daily work that prepared the Hilltoppers to compete.

When asked about his favorite memory from his time at West Liberty, Jernigan recalled the early-morning training sessions led by coaches Martin and Weaver.
"Coach Martin and Coach Weaver pulling the van up to Bartell Hall and Martin blowing his whistle at 6 a.m. every morning for our morning runs," Jernigan recalled. "We'd drive the van out six miles and run back to campus!"

Those demanding mornings helped build the discipline and camaraderie that defined the program. Jernigan credits Coach Weaver in particular with playing a major role in the team's success.

"Coach Weaver put in countless hours bringing our track and cross country teams to conference championships," Jernigan said. "We were winners, and everyone on campus acknowledged us!"

Jernigan also looks back fondly on being part of the Hilltoppers' WVIAC championship teams from 1972-76. The shared success, he says, remains one of the most meaningful parts of his college experience.

"I loved being involved in athletics at West Liberty and called West Liberty my home," Jernigan said. "I will always cherish the memories of being part of those WVIAC conference championships we won from 1972-76."

Jernigan's connection to running did not end when his competitive college career was over. After graduating from West Liberty, he built a career in education, spending nearly four decades as a teacher in the School District of Lee County in Florida before retiring in 2016.

Following his retirement, Jernigan moved to Johnson City, Tennessee, where he continues to run and compete in local road races.

His continued involvement in running reflects the lasting influence of a sport that provided opportunities, lifelong friendships and memories that remain important decades later.

That connection to teammates is something Jernigan hopes current West Liberty student-athletes will carry with them long after their playing days have ended.

"Stay connected with your classmates and teammates," he advised. "I'm still connected after 54 years with teammates on the cross country and track teams."

It is a simple message rooted in his own experience: the relationships developed through college athletics can last a lifetime.

From conference championships and national rankings to early-morning runs and friendships that have endured for more than 50 years, Jernigan's story reflects the lasting impact of being a Hilltopper.

His achievements earned him a place among the top distance runners in West Virginia Conference history, and his enduring connection to West Liberty demonstrates that the legacy of a student-athlete extends well beyond the finish line.
 
 
 
Timeless Toppers: Q&A with Donald Jernigan

What sports did you participate in at West Liberty?
Track and field and cross country.

What years did you attend West Liberty?
1972-76.

What are you doing now?
I retired from the School District of Lee County in 2016 and moved to Johnson City, Tennessee. I'm still running and competing in local road races.

What is your favorite memory of West Liberty?
Coach Martin and Coach Weaver pulling the van up to Bartell Hall and Martin blowing his whistle at 6 a.m. every morning for our morning runs! We would drive the van out six miles and run back to campus!

What advice would you give to current student-athletes?
Stay connected with your classmates and teammates. I'm still connected after 54 years with teammates from the cross country and track teams.

What does it mean to be a West Liberty alumnus and former student-athlete?
I loved being involved in athletics at West Liberty and called West Liberty my home. I will always cherish the memories of being part of those WVIAC conference championships we won from 1972-76.

Who were the most influential coaches or teammates during your time at West Liberty?
Coach Weaver put in countless hours bringing our track and cross country teams to conference championships. We were winners, and everyone on campus acknowledged us!
 



West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.