GMCT Awards Track and Field Scholarhsip

September 8th, 2008

Established to support runners and the running sports throughout West Virginia, The Friends of Track and Field (FOTAF) Fund of the Greater Morgantown Community Trust is pleased to award the Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship for the 2008-09 academic year to State Cross Country Champion, Ryan Beabout.   Currently a freshman cross country runner for the University of Tennessee, Beabout, received the award for his athletic accomplishments during his tenure on the Wheeling Park High School cross country and track and field teams, graduating in May 2007.

Two time AAA Cross Country Champion in the State of West Virginia, Ryan was named the Gatorade 2007 Cross Country Athlete of the Year for WV and received the Dapper Dan Achievement Award for Cross Country/Track and Field.Ryan is planning to major in exercise science. “Ryan is a true winner,” according to Wheeling Cross Country head coach, Michael Jebbia,”He leaves Wheeling Park High School as the most storied distance runner in school history.”  

At GMCT, the Friends of Track and Field Fund was designed to provide scholarship to support running sports in West Virginia.Its long term goal is to see collegiate men’s running teams reinstated at West Virginia University.The annual Twilight 5-Miler, held on July 11th, brought a great group of family, friends, and fellow runners together to remember and honor former WVU runner, Jim Dunn.

This year’s event held along the Caperton Trail with a buffet dinner and awards at the Wharf Parking Garage was the most successful yet with over 500 attendees.Many community businesses lent their support.BB&T was the events main sponsor.The Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitor’s Bureau also supported the event through its Innovative Grant Program. Jim Dunn, who passed away in May 2007, was well known to the local Morgantown community as manager of Pizza Inn, Special Olympics’ coach, and volunteer with many youth sports activities.

A 1972 West Virginia University graduate, Jim spent four years on WVU’s storied Men’s Track and Field Team, under the leadership of Coach Stan Romanowski.   

Scholarship applications for the spring will be available online by December 1st at www.gmctfoundation.org. For more information on eligibility please contact The Greater Morgantown Community Trust at 296-3433, or email info@gmctfoundation.org .  

Donations to the Friends of Track and FieldFund or the Jim Dunn Memorial Scholarship Fund are also being accepted online or by mail at GMCT, P.O. Box 409, Morgantown, WV