Willie Akers, legendary Logan coach, passes away at 89
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Willie Akers, legendary Logan coach, passes away at 89
Bill Lusk | WVOW Sports
LOGAN West Virginia is mourning the loss of one of its most enduring
figures.
Willie Akers, the legendary Logan High School basketball coach who turned
the Wildcats into one of the state’s premier programs, passed away Tuesday
at the age of 89.
For generations of Logan players and fans, Akers was more than a coach. He
became synonymous with winning basketball, hard work and the
unmistakable blue-and-gold pride of Logan High School.
Akers spent more than two decades leading the Wildcats, compiling a
remarkable 402-116 record. His teams captured four Class AAA state
championships and were runners-up four additional times. He was named
West Virginia Coach of the Year in 1983.
His first state championship came in 1964, followed by titles in 1977, 1978
and 1983. His teams were nicknamed the Running Wildcats for their fast-
paced style of play and relentless work ethic.
Where ever the Wildcats went, they filled gyms, drew large courts and filled
the seats of the state basketball tournament, mainly the Charleston Coliseum
and Convention Center.
A native of Mullens, Akers had an outstanding high school career at Mullens
High School where he led the Rebels to three state tournament appearance
from 1954-56. Akers led the Rebels to the 1955 Class A state championship,
was a three-time Class A all-tournament selection and a two-time all-state
selection. In three years, Akers guided Mullens to a 72-7 record.
Following high school, Akers played collegiately at West Virginia University
from 1958-1960. He played alongside Jerry West on some of the greatest
teams in Mountaineer history. During his three varsity seasons, WVU went 81-
12, won two Southern Conference championships and made three NCAA
Tournament appearances.
In 1958, West Virginia spent seven straight weeks at No. 1 and entered the
NCAA Tournament as the top-ranked team before getting upset by Manhattan
in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The following season, West Virginia defeated Dartmouth, rallied from 18
points down to defeat Saint Joseph’s and beat Boston University in the NCAA
East Regional in Charlotte and earn a berth in the Final Four against
Louisville.
On the Cardinals home floor at Freedom Hall, the Mountaineers defeated
Louisville, 94-79, before losing to California, 71-70, in the National
Championship game. Akers scored 10 points and hauled down six rebounds
in the loss to California and had five points and eight rebounds in the
Mountaineers win over Louisville.
The following year, West Virginia was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament
by 12 th -ranked New York University in the Sweet 16. Akers had eight points
and 12 rebounds in a 92-91 overtime loss to the eventual East Regional
champions. In a 106-100 win over Saint Joseph’s in the East Regional Third
Place contest, Akers scored seven points and hauled down 12 rebounds.
In 93 games at WVU, Akers scored 669 points, pulled down 573 rebounds,
was named to the Southern Conference All-Tournament Team in 1960 and
served as co-captain alongside West.
Akers briefly played two seasons of professional basketball for the Cleveland
Pipers of the American Basketball League before returning to West Virginia,
moving to Logan and beginning what would become a legendary 22 year
career at Logan High School.
Moving beyond the basketball court, Akers served as Dean of Boys and
Assistant Principal at Logan High School for 10 years before serving as
Assistant Superintendent for Logan County Schools for 10 years.
His impact on the community extended into civic life as well, serving 21 years
on the Logan County Commission from 1998-2020.
His accomplishments as a coach and player did not go unrecognized as Akers
was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, the Logan
High School Hall of Fame in 1994 and the West Virginia University Sports Hall
of Fame in 2002.
Akers was also a recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award presented by
the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences
in 1991.
His legacy remains visible at Logan High, where the school’s field house, the
Willie Akers Arena, dons his name.
For those who watched his teams, played for him or simply grew up following
Logan basketball, Akers represented an era when the Wildcats were a state
basketball power and the gym was the center of the community.
His record tells only part of the story. Leaving behind championships, victories
and Hall of Fame honors, but perhaps his greatest legacy is the generations
of young people he influenced through basketball and public education.
West Virginia has lost a coaching legend. Logan has lost one of its most
recognizable figures.
Forever connected to Logan basketball, the name Willie Akers will remain
woven into the history of West Virginia high school sports.
Akers is survived by his wife Linda, sons Darren (wife Alice) and Chad (wife
Michelle), four grandchildren, Connor, McKenzie, Jackson and Will and a
great grandchild, Miles.
PHOTO | Captured by the Moment Photography : Boothe Davis
