[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 10, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S10206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JEROME R. VANMETER

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I want to pay tribute to a 
special West Virginian, Jerome R. ``Coach'' VanMeter. For more than 50 
years, he was a high school football and basketball coach from Beckley. 
He is known throughout southern West Virginia as a man who not only has 
won many high school sporting events, but also as someone who has 
touched the lives of many young people. It is in this month of August 
that Mr. VanMeter celebrates his 96th birthday.
  Mr. VanMeter received numerous awards during his long tenure as a 
coach. He was named Coach of the Year from 1948 until 1951 and was 
later selected to the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1963. Being 
one of the founders of the West Virginia High School Coaches 
Association is another one of Mr. VanMeter's crowning achievements. He 
was also proud to serve on many State selections committees responsible 
for choosing outstanding basketball and football players throughout the 
State.
  Coach VanMeter has achieved much more than just personal awards. He 
has coached many of his teams to great success. His football teams won 
three state championships while his basketball teams won six. Four of 
those six State basketball championships were won consecutively, still 
a State record for the longest consecutive State basketball tournament 
wins.
  Mr. VanMeter has not only contributed on the field and court, but has 
also been deeply involved in community endeavors. While living in 
Beckley, he served as president of the local Kiwanis Club later 
becoming lieutenant governor of the West Virginia District. In 
addition, Mr. VanMeter has also contributed some of his precious skills 
to the Raleigh County Education Association and the Heber Street 
Methodist Church as chairman of the board of trustees. Furthermore, he 
volunteered his time to serve on the junior and senior chamber of 
commerce for several years.
  Jerome ``Coach'' VanMeter's numerous accomplishments merit notice and 
praise. His enthusiasm and concern for the many athletes he coached and 
his commitment to his community provide a model we should all strive to 
attain.

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