This Saturday, we will gather at Cebe Ross Memorial Field for the first football game of the season. Memorial Field….we should remember Cebe Ross. Many have never known of this legend of WVWC athletics. Others may have forgotten, or only known part of the story.
Cebe the Student
This photo from the 1921 Murmurmontis shows Cecil B. Ross as a Freshman in 1919-1920. He was on the Football and Basketball Teams, and a member of the Chrestomathean Literary Society.
The coach of the WVWC football team from 1920-1924 was Bob Higgins (a three-time All American standout player from Penn State who eventually returned there as head coach from 1930-48 and also played professionally for the Canton Bulldogs in 1920 and 1921.) He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954. He certainly must have seen some great potential in young Cebe Ross.
By the 1921-1922 season, Cebe appeared as Halfback and Quarterback and had the reputation of being a powerhouse on the team. The photo caption read:
Cecil Ross, Halfback and Quarter
“Cebe played more or less in all the backfield positions this year. He was in practically every game, showing to especial advantage on the defensive against the University.”
That year the team had great success!
By his Senior Year, this is what was listed under his name.
Upon his graduation, Cebe coached at Buckhannon High School for a few seasons, leading them to a State Championship in 1924, and then returned to Wesleyan in 1925 as Coach of All Sports. That year, he also married his college sweetheart, Mary L. Morgan.
1924 Murmurmontis. Cebe and his future wife, Mary L. Morgan were side by side on the page.
Cebe the Coach
Along with his other athletic duties at WVWC, Cebe coached the football team from 1925-1941, coaching such greats as Cliff Battles (Class of 1933) who was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1968. Battles joined Earle “Greasy” Neal (Class of 1914) who was also inducted to that body in 1969.
During these years, the Bobcats played and defeated such teams as:
New York University
West Virginia University
Navy
Kentucky University
Duquesne University
A Break in the Action
Sadly, football was dealt a major blow when the 1942-1945 seasons were cancelled due to disruptions caused by World War II. During this time, Cebe Ross left Buckhannon to coach at Morris Harvey and to serve in the Navy.
Cebe (Class of 1923) was not the only member of his family to be involved with WVWC.
His older brother, Kelcel (Class of 1920), was also a standout athlete at the school and did some teaching of Physical Education and coaching before leaving to pursue his calling as a lawyer.
Kelcel Ross, 1925
Brother Perce Joseph Ross (Class of 1925) was a successful businessman in Buckhannon, operating the Perce Ross Men’s and Ladies’ Wear Store for many years. He was also a Trustee of the College from 1961-1976 and served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1939-1946.
Photo by Howard Hiner
Wife, Mary Morgan Ross (Class of 1923), was the Circulation Librarian and Instructor of Library Science from 1961-1970.
Son, Samuel Morgan Ross, taught Physical Education, and held several administrative positions from 1956-1988.
Photo by Howard Hiner
Sister-in-Law Alice Nason Ross taught Physical Education for Women from 1921-1940. She was married to Cebe’s older brother, Guy Ross ca. 1939.
Alice Nason 1933
Cebe’s Football Legacy at WVWC
Cebe (Class of 1923) coached David Reemsnyder (Class of 1930)
David Reemsnyder (Class of 1930) Coached Hank Ellis (Class of 1943)
Hank Ellis (Class of 1943) Coached Kent Carpenter (Class of 1963)
Kent Carpenter (Class of 1963) Coached Bill Struble (Class of 1977)
Bill Struble (Class of 1977) Coached Current Coach, Del Smith (Class of 2005)
Grab your seat at Cebe Ross Memorial Field on Saturday to cheer on the current Bobcats
Who, by the way, are being coached by Del Smith…who was coached by Bill Struble…………Here’s To Old Wesleyan!
Photo by Sarah Sisson
*Note: It turns out that Paul Price, Coach for Concord University is also a WVWC Grad (1984) and was coached by Kent Carpenter. And Paul Price was an assistant coach who coached Del Smith.
The game was tied at 31 until Concord kicked a field goal with 2 seconds to go. The spirit of Cebe Ross was in high evidence in the stadium that afternoon.
The February 24, 1926 issue of the Pharos tells us that,
Since earliest times of civilization people have built walls around their cities and castles as a means of protection. The gates of these walls required much time and money because they were to be ornamental as well as useful. And then, as civilization advanced, there was no need for these walls and they gradually crumbled away, but the custom of using gates for ornamentation has been preserved to the present day. It is a rare thing to find an institution that does not have a gate somewhere on its grounds.
Of the hundreds of students that daily pass through these gates on Wesleyan’s campus probably few ever give a thought of them.
That was true then, and it is even more so today. In fact, the true stories behind these gates are becoming a bit fuzzy and dim.
Take, for example the Harmer Gateway.
1908
For many years, each class would choose someone they admired and would take the name of that person. The Class of 1908 was known as The Harmer Class after Harvey Walker Harmer.
In appreciation of this honor, and in honor of the class of 1908, he donated the funds for the Harmer Gateway.
The Honorable Harvey W. Harmer was a Trustee of the college from 1906-1937, and a Trustee Emeritus from 1937-1961.
Photo from Bench and Bar of West VIrginia
He was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1894 and to the West Virginia Senate in 1900. He served on the Board of Regents of the State Normal Schools and for the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind. He was the mayor of Clarksburg, West Virginia.
In George W. Atkinson’s 1919 work, Bench and Bar of West Virginia,Harmer is described as “a safe and wise counselor, a conscientious adviser, and is deliberate in all of his acts; and better than all else he at all times seeks to be just and entirely fair with his fellow men.”
1910 Catalog
1917 view of the Harmer Gateway
1926
On February 3, 1926, Harvey W. Harmer married the former Dean of Women – Florence Warden Stemple. Dean Stemple had been a member of the class of 1908! After receiving her degree from WVWC, she went on to get her masters degree from Columbia University before coming back to her alma mater as the Dean of Women from February 1924 through January of 1926.
Florence W. Stemple, 1926
She is quoted in the January 27, 1926 issue of the Pharos as saying,
It is necessary for someone to build a foundation upon which another woman, who has had special training, can build upon.
She was known as one who gave independence and guidance to the young women at Wesleyan. This just six years after women were given the right to vote when the Nineteenth Ammendment was passed in 1920.
Harmer Gateway 1950
2016
Gift of Harvey W. Harmer
Restored in 2014
In the summer of 2016, the area was renovated and rededicated as part of a collaborative sidewalk project between the City of Buckhannon and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
Benches and plaques were included to honor President Pamela Balch, who was President of Wesleyan from 2006-2016 and Dr. Barry Pritts, who had been Vice President for Administration and Finance for a decade.
New Places, New Perspectives
A gateway leads us to a new place.
You can go through it from more than one direction and with more than one perspective.
Gateways Go Both Ways
Since 2008, this is the way you walk from campus to the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. The next time you pass that way, give a thought of appreciation to Harvey Walker Harmer (and his wife).
Or, perhaps imagine in your mind’s eye the days when this was the front door of campus, and framed one of our oldest buildings.
Some words have very deep meanings, and we use them a lot.
We sometimes use them so much that we don’t stop to think how powerful they really are. Lifechanging at times.
Already this week I am hearing one of these words multiple times a day, and in the next week or so I expect to hear it spoken, shouted, and squealed. There will be a convocation in which I predict that the word will be used hundreds of times. It will appear on signs, tweets, posts, syllabi, webpages, and will actually permeate the air. There will be hugs involved. That word is……..Welcome!
Proof
Why do I think this will happen? Because it has happened here for over a century — and there are witnesses.
2018 (Already)
Tweeted in August 2018 with the #IChoseWVWC
Multiple teams and groups and bands and organizations have Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. All of them are sending out messages of welcome to new folks and welcome back to returning members.
2017
Student Leaders in 2017
Here is a photo from Orientation Weekend last year, for example. These students stood at the corner of College Avenue and Meade Street for hours waving to new students and their families as they came to campus. They answered questions and pointed the way. With huge smiles, they shouted, “Welcome to Wesleyan!”
2009
Family Weekend 2009
On Family Weekend of 2009, student Robbie Quarles manned the post for parent nametags. He welcomed them and helped with questions or the directions that they needed. (p.s. he is now the Director of Multicultural Programs and Services and we call him Dr. Quarles as of this summer.) In 2015 he was welcomed back in his new role.
1980s
New Faculty 1980
New faculty are also welcomed!
1950s
Freshman Handbook 1952-1953
This has been going on for decades! Sometimes it is the faculty doing the welcoming. Other times, it is the students.
This handbook, given to the entering students in 1952-1953 includes a welcome letter from the Community Council President which begins:
Greetings and welcome to West Virginia Wesleyan College!
It goes on to say…..At Wesleyan you’ll find that everyone just about breaks his neck to make you feel you belong here. It won’t take you long to find that out. Don’t ever be afraid to ask any of these worldly and wise-looking characters about anything you might want to know. They’ll always be glad to find someone who can answer your questions.
Who Is Welcomed?
New Students
Returning Students
Prospective Students
New Faculty
New Staff
Families of Students
Teams
Small Groups
Whole Classes
Alumni
Artists and Musicians who come to perform
Speakers who come to bring us words of wisdom
Groups and Camps all summer long
West Virginia United Methodist Annual Conference
Living Witnesses – Our Beautiful and Very Old Trees
Original Seminary Building (Burned in 1905) and Trees 1900Nearly 120 Years Later…this tree towers over the Lynch-Raine Administration Building.
Recently, I came across some information about something that I’ve never stopped to consider before: Witness Trees. For example, there are some trees that have been present at key moments during American History. See more about these in an article from the Smithsonian.
The many old and beautiful trees on our campus have witnessed thousands of welcomes, welcomed thousands to campus, and watched many a welcome back reunion. They are our very own Witness Trees.
The Band is Coming! This statement marks the beginning of things. As a small child, I can remember the excitement of standing on the street corner waiting for a parade and the electricity that ran through the crowd as we heard the drums in the distance.
It is August, and a new year is about to begin at West Virginia Wesleyan College. And, next Saturday The Band is Coming! The 2018 WVWC Bobcat Band will be arriving to prepare their show (Music from the Incredibles). The drums will be beating, the sounds of music will fill the air, the flags will wave.
Marching band at WVWC has had an interesting history. Although instrumental music groups the early years of the college were generally more in the form of an Orchestra, the 1915 catalog does begin to include band as well (although not necesarily in marching form.)
1915 Murmurmontis
The 1912 band was organized by Flavius Fay Smith, from Fairmont, who graduated from WVWC in the class of 1916. Student organized. Student led. Student enthusiasm.
With the graduation of Fay Smith, the world in turmoil throughout World War I , and the Great Depression, the band had its ups and downs. The Orchestra kept going strong, as it was part of the curriculum.
In the October 3, 1934 issue of the Pharos, a letter to the editor indicates that there was still a desire and a need for a band.
The competent instructor mentioned in this article is actually C. Lawrence Kingsbury, WVWC Class of 1935, who was an Instructor in the Music Department. (He later went on to get his Ed.D. in Music from the University of Indiana and to become the Chairman of the Music Department there, and also at Marshall University.) Again, students past and present provide great leadership.
1940s
The 1940 Marching Band was led onto the field by Drum Major Ronald Sleeth, future president of the college, and Drum Majorette Gloria Harvey.
WVWC Drum Major and Drum Majorette, 1940
1950s
1950 Homecoming Parade
The 1955 Band had a great time and added to school spirit under the direction of C. Buell Agey, according to the Murmurmontis.
1960
The 45 member band, under the direction of Assistant Professor Owen West presented four shows that year. Apparently Professor West loved to design and name shows.
Half-time in Blue
Salute to the 49th and 50th States
Around the World
Music, Music, Music
Owen West
They had a busy schedule and high hopes.
Pharos 09-27-19601965 Homecoming Parade
The Milburn Years 1970s through early 2000s
David A. Milburn
The 1966 arrival of David Milburn, known to his earlier students as Slide and later students as Doc, coincided with the growing popularity of Jazz Music. This was evident in the selections of music chosen for the marching band shows.
1968
Goin’ Out of My Head
Windy
Up, Up and Away
1969
Joshua
Swing Low
When the Saints Go Marching In
1970
Witchcraft
America
1970 Murmurmontis
In 1970, the October 6th issue of the Pharos tells us that the band is limited due to uniforms. David Milburn says that the 60 member band could easily become a 100 member band if there were enough uniforms.
Even with the shortages of uniforms, the band grew and was very successful. In 1973, they were the Honor Band at the Mountain State Forest Festival. Their sound was described as “Tremendous.”
By 1975, the band was marching 80 people, dressed in a different type of uniform. This was followed by a band for the next few years who took the field sporting jeans and Polo Shirts.
1975 Band
The 1977 season featured songs that brought the crowds at football games to their feet:
Old Days (by Chicago)
Ease on Down the Road (from The Wiz)
Beethoven’s 5th “Rock Style”
The band was honored that year when President Ronald Sleeth (former Drum Major) came by and conducted the Wesleyan Fight Song in the Stands.
35 Year Marching Band Drought
Due to many factors, the band did not field a Marching Band again for many years. It was not due to a lack of interest on the part of students. The music program in general was very healthy and robust, especially in the area of Jazz and Choral Music. The band continued to sit in the stands at football games, although in fewer numbers.
In 2014, the decision was made to revitalize the Marching Band. They started small that year, with 25 students, but have shown steady growth, enthusiasm, talent, and downright passion. This year they will field about 90. Yes, they are still in search of uniforms, but their sound is intense and electrifying. Their show is the music from the Incredibles. And I have NO doubt that the term will be fitting.
Here is a video from their Facebook Page, showing them as the honor band at the Fairmont Band Spectacular last fall. The crowd had just seen 18 excellent high school bands in fancy uniforms. They were tired, and probably all ready to head home. Probaby a 19th band was a bit of a stretch for their patience. But the WVWC Bobcat Marching Band did not disappoint!
The WVWC Band had already had a busy day. They had played pregame concerts, home football game halftime, and pep music in the stands for a home game in Buckhannon. Then they headed to Fairmont, watched (and cheered for) all of those bands, and still managed to be amazing.
The girl sitting in front of me that evening said that she was considering going to WVWC, but only “if the band was any good.” She watched and cheered and got very excited about this performance. Maybe she will be among those gathering for Band Camp next Saturday. I hope so!
I think that Flavius Fay Smith who was from Fairmont, WV (and who organized the first WVWC band in 1912) was probably cheering somewhere in those stands at the Fairmont Band Spectacular as well!
The Band Is Coming!
Photo from Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram
Update 2022-03-04
Logan Lindsey left in 2019 to pursue his dream of performance music. During his time at WVWC, the band was invigorated and grew. New uniforms were purchased!
Ronald Sleeth was the Drum Major for four seasons: 1939, 1940, 1941, and 1942.
Right after that, there is no record of a marching band in the Murmurmontis in 1943 and it was not published in 1944, 1945, or 1946 due to World War II.
WVWC Drum Major, 1942 with Drum Majorette, Gloria Harvey
While at WVWC, Ron Sleeth was active in many areas of campus, showing great leadership along the way. Among his accomplishments and activities Ron was President of his class in 1938, President of Playshop in 1942, sang in the choir, played intramural sports, and worked on the Pharos staff.
After his graduation, he went on to receive his Divinity Degree from Yale University in 1947. He served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy from 1945-46, and came back to WVWC to teach Speech from 1946-48. He became an ordained Methodist Elder in 1947 before returning to academia to earn his masters and Ph.D. in Communication from Northwestern University. In 1976-77, he came back to WVWC once again to serve as the president of the college. Realizing that administration was not his passion, he stepped down after one year to go back to teaching and writing.
After the war, various others served in student leadership capacity for a year or two, and under such titles a student director, drum major, and drum majorette. Each one had a different story about how they came to be chosen, different leadership styles, and different skills.
Jude Gore
Jude Gore was the Drum Major of the Bobcat Marching band for four seasons: 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977. Right after that, the marching band ceased to exist for 34 years. There was an upswing (pun intended) in interest for the Jazz Band, and that truly was the passion of David Milburn, professor and director of bands. Concert band and pep bands continued, but marching band did not.
After his graduation, he went on to have a very successful career in Music Education, and kept right on leading students through music for decades to come.
In the fall of 1978, Ron Sleeth and Jude Gore teamed up to direct the band in the stands at a football game. A true meeting of the minds!
2014 — They’re Back!
In 2014, the Bobcat Marching Band returned. It had only 25 members, but they were mighty! Doubling by the second year, and with steady growth each year, they are now marching about 100 and share their vast amount of school spirit with all of us. Since their return, they have been led by Drum Majors Christen Shell (2014, 205, 2016) and Patrick Withers (2017, 2018). This year, Cassidy Hoffman has been tapped for this leadership position.
Band Camp 2019 with Drum Major Cassidy Hoffman
Drum Major 101
Each drum major
must earn and deserve the respect of those they lead
leads the band onto the field and keeps them all going in the right direction
keeps the band literally and figuratively on the same page
plays a crucial role in communication between band and band director
has the opportunity to facilitate change
needs to know music and marching drills inside and out – for all members
They are supportive, enthusiastic, prepared and professional.
They set a good example.
These are great life skills!!!
Here’s to a great year for the Bobcat Marching Band in 2019. Their new uniforms have been delayed in production, but hopes are to debut them later this season. And those who wear them will be taking the field under the leadership of Drum Major Cassidy Hoffman.
In 2014, the decision was made to revitalize the Marching Band. They started small that year, with 25 students, but have shown steady growth, enthusiasm, talent, and downright passion. This year they will field about 90. Yes, they are still in search of uniforms, but their sound is intense and electrifying. Their show is the music from the Incredibles. And I have NO doubt that the term will be fitting.
Here is a video from their Facebook Page, showing them as the honor band at the Fairmont Band Spectacular last fall. The crowd had just seen 18 excellent high school bands in fancy uniforms. They were tired, and probably all ready to head home. Probaby a 19th band was a bit of a stretch for their patience. But the WVWC Bobcat Marching Band did not disappoint!
The WVWC Band had already had a busy day. They had played pregame concerts, home football game halftime, and pep music in the stands for a home game in Buckhannon. Then they headed to Fairmont, watched (and cheered for) all of those bands, and still managed to be amazing.
The girl sitting in front of me that evening said that she was considering going to WVWC, but only “if the band was any good.” She watched and cheered and got very excited about this performance. Maybe she will be among those gathering for Band Camp next Saturday. I hope so!
I think that Flavius Fay Smith who was from Fairmont, WV (and who organized the first WVWC band in 1912) was probably cheering somewhere in those stands at the Fairmont Band Spectacular as well!
The Band Is Coming!
P.S.
The band will once again be beating out the strains to “Here’s to Old Wesleyan.” If you are in the stands, why not sing (or at least clap) along!
