2015 Hall of Fame inductees:
Seated, L to R: Rod Auvil, Paul Jackson, Jared Gashel (for his father Barry Gashel)
Standing, L to R: Jim Hamric, John Peters, Mike Stump, Steve Shaffer

West Virginia Chapter Inducts Seven

October 25, 2015
Embassy Suites, Charleston WV

Seven new members were inducted into the West Virginia Chapter, National Wrestling Hall of Fame on this pleasant October Sunday afternoon.

Rod Auvil -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

Rod Auvil started his wrestling career at Victory High School in 1972, under Coach John Mazzi and Tom Hilton and lettered for 3 years from Liberty High School in 1975. After being awarded the Harrison County Coaches Scholarship, he earned his B.A. degree in Physical Education in 1980 from Fairmont State College and a M.A. In Curriculum and Instruction from Salem-Tokyo University.

Rod started his teaching and coaching career in 1983 at Flemington High. He continued his love of wrestling by volunteering his time at various schools (1979-89) and with the Clarksburg Youth Wrestling program (1988-1993).

In 1990 Flemington and Grafton High Schools consolidated, Rod transferred to Taylor County Middle where he became a department head and technology coordinator. He also continued his coaching career at Grafton High. During his tenure, he coached basketball, baseball, volleyball and wrestling. In 1994, he implemented Softball at Grafton High, implemented and directed Taylor County Youth Wrestling and in 1995 implemented Taylor County Middle wrestling.

Rod was awarded Taylor County Teacher of the Year 2003, West Virginia Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year 2003, Midwest District Physical Education Teacher of the Year 2006 and West Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Honor Award 2009. He was Big 10 Coach of the Year several times. Rod has produced 11 state champions, 3 outstanding wrestlers, 8 runner-ups, with over 50 place winners. His dual meet record from 1990-2013 is 450-192 and tournament individual record is 1302- 535. He stays involved with wrestling by working with other schools and wrestlers from South Carolina to Arizona.

Rod and his lovely wife, Lois have been married for 36 years. They have 2 children Casey and Cory and 3 grandchildren Reena, Lilyanna and Jedidiah.

Barry Gashel -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

Barry Gashel had a lifelong love for the sport of wrestling. He lovingly served the sport as a wrestler, official and coach. Barry started his career at McGuffey High School where he lettered all four years. After he graduated from Waynesburg, Barry transitioned from wrestler to official, as well as continued to coach. Barry refereed youth, high school and college wrestling matches for 36 years.

During that time, he served as the Washington County Wrestling Official's Chapter Interpreter for 20 years. He mentored and trained both new and experienced officials in the rules of the sport and provided interpretations, clarifications and counsel on any rules questions.

As a mat arbiter, Barry was selected to officiate numerous sections and regionals in Pennsylvania, 15 regionals in West Virginia, and 13 West Virginia State tournaments. In 2001, Barry was selected as the West Virginia Wrestling Official of the Year.

Gashel also served as a volunteer fireman, coached his daughters' softball teams and actively served his church and community.

Barry valiantly battled cancer for two and a half years. Throughout his many treatments, he never stopped officiating. His final match came on April 20, 2007, weeks after he had officiated his last West Virginia State Tournament.

Following his passing, he was so admired by his West Virginia officiating colleagues that they annually present "The Barry Gashel Wrestling Official of the Year Award" to the state's top referee at the WV Wrestling Championships.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Ruth; his three children, Amanda Gashel Dillon, Jill Gashel and Jared Gashel; and his six beautiful grandchildren, Kayla, Tyler, Alexandra, Barrett, Abbey and Riley.

Jim Hamric -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

Jim Hamric's career in wrestling started in 1970 as the coach at Walton High School, Roane County, enrollment 300 students. Wrestling was an infant sport at that time and had no mat, no uniforms, no scales and no place to practice. Resourceful efforts led to gym mats tied together, dyed long underwear, borrowed feed scales and the stage adjacent to the gym for practice. At that time in WV wrestling, in order to qualify for the state tournament, competition was against all schools - one class-one champ from each region. By the end of Coach Hamric's tenure at Walton, the Tigers had a new mat, new uniforms, a new set of doctor scales and an individual qualifier at the· state tournament.

In 1973, Jim moved to Spencer High School for the next 20 years of its existence to coach a variety of sports. At that time, wrestling at SHS was well covered with Tom Woods, so Coach Hamric began an officiating career that lasted until 1988 when his son, Jay became involved in organized sports. He moved up in the officiating circles to ·work numerous regional tournaments and the state tournament 8 times. As head coach in 3 sports and Athletic director of SHS, Jim organized and was director of many invitational, LKC and regional tournaments. Wood County hired Mr. Hamric in 1999 as Parkersburg High School's AD, partly because of his experience and wealth of knowledge of wrestling. He continued his "director's presence" as director of MSAC and regional tournaments until his retirement in 2005. He culminated a Director of Athletics career working at all 3 levels of high school in WV- A, AA, and AAA.

Jim is also a member of the Roane Co HS Sports Hall of Fame, the Mid-Ohio Valley Hall of Fame and was selected Coach of the Year in all sports by the WV Sportswriters Association in 1992, after the Yellow Jackets went 14-0 and won the AA State Football Championships. Jim and wife play golf nearly every day.

Jim and his wife, Margie have been married for 48 years and are retired and living in Mineral Wells. They are the proud parents of Amy, Lori, and Jay and have 7 wonderful grandchildren.

Paul E. Jackson -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

Paul E. Jackson graduated from Glenville State College and returned to his Alma Mater, Parkersburg South High School to teach and coach under Rod Oldham. He was very fortunate to have Rod for a mentor and friend. Paul later received a Master's Degree from West Virginia University. He then became Head Wrestling Coach at Parkersburg South and amassed an impressive record.

In 1995, his South Wrestling Team was ranked 20th Nationally. Coach Jackson's dual meet record was 325-56 with an outstanding 115 consecutive Wins and a total of 56 Tournament wins. During his tenure, he produced 26 individual State Champions and 130 State Placers. Under Paul's direction, Parkersburg South won 9 WV State Championships which is the record of any AAA coach. He was honored 7 times as AAA Wrestling Coach of the Year.

With his hard work and success, Paul has been honored with several awards which include OVAC Coach of the Year Award 2010 and 2011 and Finalist Bill VanHorne Coach of the Year Award 2010, 2011, and 2012. In 2012, he was honored as the West Virginia High School Coach of the Year. In 1996-97 and in 2010-11, Paul was chosen National Wrestling Coach Association Scholastic Division, Coach of the Year. Most recently, he was inducted In 2015 Mid-Ohio Valley Hall of Fame.

Paul and his wife, Rose live in Belleville, WV where he recently retired from teaching and coaching. They are the parents of a daughter, Dixi Gathman (Trevor) and have two lovely granddaughters Miah and Anna. Their son, Jeremiah is deceased.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Paul Jackson with a "lifetime Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2015.

John Peters -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

John Peters graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1970. While there, he lettered in football, wrestling and track. Under the fine coaching of Vic Peelish and Fred Hill, he was very influenced to attend college and pursue a teaching degree. He earned a B.A. degree from Glenville State College where he participated in football and wrestled under Coach Whitey Adolphson.

In 1974, John accepted a teaching position in Ritchie County in special education which he held for 38 years. John began coaching wrestling in 1975 at Harrisville High School which he revived after a twenty year absence. While continuing as assistant coach for five years, he started the Pee-Wee program which he coached for 15 years. During the 1982 season, John became the head coach of high school wrestling and track. One of his talented wrestlers was three-time State Champion Richard Cokeley.

Due to the consolidation of Pennsboro and Harrisville High Schools in 1986, John was hired as wrestling and boy's track coach at Ritchie County High School. He retired In 2001 as head coach, but continued with the Pee-Wee Program and helped implement the middle school program. Two years into retirement, John started coaching and continued as assistant in middle school for the next 6 years along with Pee-Wees. Upon retirement in 2010, he continues to volunteer with all levels of wrestlers. During his varsity coaching career from 1982 to 2001, John had 102 state qualifiers, 41 state placers, 5 state runners-up and 7 state champions. In 1999, he was named the Dix Manning AA Coach of the Year. Some of his other awards were being twice named as The Coach's Association regional coach of the year and the 1998-99 Wrestling Coach of the Year. John was elected to the Raleigh and Ritchie County's Hall of Fame and was a member of the WVSSAC Coach's Committee.

John and his wife, Aneta are the proud parents of Melissa, Melanie and Frankie {Beth}. They also have 5 lovely grandchildren.

Stephen Shaffer -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

Stephen Shaffer graduated in 1968 from Brockway Area High School in Brockway, PA. Then he attended the College of the Ozarks and transferred to West Liberty State College and graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education and Language Arts. In 1980, he received his Master's in School Administration from the University of Detroit. Stephen taught 5th grade at Madison School in Ohio County for 12 years before moving to teach Language Arts and Shop at Wheeling Park High.

Coach Shaffer began coaching wrestling as an assistant to Coach Buzz Evans. During his coaching career, he helped Wheeling Park win 3 State Tournaments and 5 OVAC Championships. He took pride in helping the young athletes develop into mature, responsible, and dedicated young men while accomplishing their athletic goals.

From 1998 through 2000, Stephen served a dual role in coaching when he was the assistant coach of the Wheeling Park girls basketball team, during which time he helped in winning 2 State Basketball Championships. In 2003, he was awarded the Assistant Wrestling Coach of the Year. From his coaching start, Stephen has helped with the running of the OVAC Wrestling Tournament. His greatest accomplishment is his creation of the Wheeling Park Duals which he began in 1990 and directed for 25 years. This is one of the largest Dual Meet Tournaments in the country. The tournament has hosted over 97 different teams over the last 25 years and at one point had 40 teams competing. He retired from teaching in 2007 and from coaching in 2015.

Stephen resides in Wheeling with his wife, Mary Ellen. They have 4 children: Shane Shaffer, Shannon Tamburin, Stephanie O'Donnell and Samantha McQuaid. Nine grandchildren complete the family.

Mike Stump -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

Mike Stump is a 1970 graduate of Calhoun County High School, starting four years for the Red Devil Wrestling team. He entered the US Air Force the same year and served active duty until 1974. In 1978, he graduated for Glenville State College and began his career as a teacher and coach in Calhoun County. He organized and coached youth wrestling team in 1977 through the next 10 years.

Mike became the head wrestling coach at Calhoun County High School in 1987, holding that position until his retirement in 2015. During that time, he coached 21 state champions and had 24 state runners-up. Five of his wrestlers were awarded the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award at the state wrestling tournament. His teams have won 10 LKC titles, 10 Regional titles and were state runner-ups in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2015.

For his dedication and coaching success, he was recognized with many awards: the Dix Manning AA/A Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2015, the National Federation of State High School Mideast Sectional Coach of the Year in 2008, the WV Schools Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1998-99, 2008-09, and 2014-15. He was the recipient of the Wayne Underwood Coach of the Year in the LKC in 2009-10.

In addition, he has served as an assistant and head coach for both the junior high and high school football teams and as an assistant and head coach for the baseball team.

Mike and his wife, Jean of 42 years reside in Chloe, Calhoun County. They are proud parents of one daughter, Michelle and 3 grandsons; Chris, Drue and Evan.