WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – West Liberty University Football will celebrate nearly a century of championship tradition this fall as the Hilltoppers honor the program's conference championship teams during the Saturday, Sept. 26 home game against Concord at West Family Stadium.

Former players, coaches and staff members from West Liberty's conference championship teams will be invited back to campus for the celebration. West Liberty captured 15 West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) football championships before the historic league concluded following the 2012 season. The Hilltoppers claimed conference titles in 1927, 1929, 1929, 1930, 1936, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1950, 1956, 1963, 1970, 1971, 1979, 2000 and 2009.

Much of that championship tradition was established by some of the most successful coaches in program history. Harry Sweeney guided the Hilltoppers to the program's first three conference championships in 1927, 1929 and 1930 while compiling a remarkable 44-15-3 record, the highest winning percentage of any football coach in school history.

Joe Bartell elevated West Liberty into one of the nation's premier small-college football programs during his legendary 24-year tenure from 1933-56. Bartell captured a school-record six conference championships in 1936, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1950 and 1956 while coaching three undefeated teams, leading the Hilltoppers to back-to-back postseason bowl victories and putting together a conference-record 25-game unbeaten streak. Bob Roe added two more championships in 1970 and 1971 while leading West Liberty to consecutive NAIA playoff appearances. The 1970 Hilltoppers advanced to the NAIA national semifinals and featured the program's first two NAIA First Team All-Americans in Tom Priest and Dennis Knight.

George Kovalick guided West Liberty to the 1963 conference championship, while John Westenhaver's 1979 title team was led by future Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Mark Murphy. Bob Eaton ended a 21-year championship drought in 2000, earning WVIAC Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Hilltoppers to an 8-2 record and the program's first league championship since 1979.

The 2009 Hilltoppers authored one of the greatest seasons in school history under head coach Roger Waialae. After rebounding from an opening-week loss, West Liberty won 10 consecutive games, including a perfect 8-0 mark in WVIAC play, to capture the conference championship. The Hilltoppers earned the program's first NCAA Division II playoff berth, advanced to the national quarterfinals and finished the season ranked No. 9 in the nation behind Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up Zach Amedro, Gene Upshaw Award winner Ben Staggs and a collection of All-Americans.

First-year head coach Chad Salisbury said celebrating the championship teams provides an opportunity to connect today's Hilltoppers with the generations who built the foundation of one of the winningest traditions in program history.
"Championships aren't built overnight—they're built on the standards, sacrifice and commitment of the players who wore this uniform before us," Salisbury said. "We're excited to welcome these championship teams back to West Family Stadium because they laid the foundation for everything this program represents today. Our players have an opportunity to learn from those men and appreciate what it means to be a Hilltopper. As we honor our past, we're also building toward the future and working every day to create the next championship team that will make our alumni, former players and fans proud."

The championship teams will be recognized during halftime of West Liberty's Saturday, Sept. 26 Mountain East Conference matchup with Concord at West Family Stadium.

The day will serve as a celebration of one of the most successful football traditions in the former WVIAC while bringing together generations of Hilltoppers who helped establish West Liberty Football as a championship program.



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.