Article from the Wheeling Intelligencer, By JOSH STROPE – Staff Writer
WEIRTON – When Lou Holtz formed the Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame, it wasn’t meant as a way to brag about his accomplishments and boast about his success.
Holtz did it so he could show off the people that really mattered in the Ohio Valley, many of whom had nothing do with sports but instead made a difference in the lives of those around them in other ways than just scoring a touchdown or sinking a basket.
During Thursday’s induction ceremony at the Serbian American Culture Center, Holtz welcomed four new members to be enshrined, as well as awarded the 2010 Family Heritage Award to the Bruney family.
Accepting the award was Martins Ferry football coach and athletics director Dave Bruney.
”It is very special,” Bruney said. ”We have always been proud of not only what we’ve been able to accomplish athletically, but as teachers and coaches. We grew up with education and with what Coach Holtz eluded to in trying to make a difference in people’s lives.
”You better be generally interested in other people’s lives and we’ve been fortunate to be in a launching pad where No. 1, we felt wanted, No. 2, we were stable, and No. 3 you knew you were going to be responsible for your actions. I really believe that is our mission as high school coaches and teachers.”
Following Bruney’s speech, Holtz joined the 27 members of the Bruney family for a picture.
”It is so wonderful to honor the Bruney family,” Holtz said. ”Every time you played Martins Ferry, there was a Bruney on the team. Every time you played Steubenville there was a Jeter. Every time you played East Liverpool, there was a Pack, a Spencer, or a Bell.
”What we try to do is recognize people who made a difference in people’s lives. That is what it is all about. It’s not about somebody that is world famous but someone that has really, truly made a difference to the people around here.”
But the Man of the Hour was what Notre Dame fans hope is the Man of the Present and Future.
First-year Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly took time from his busy schedule to speak at the banquet and get to know a little more about the Ohio Valley, taking a tour of the Lou Holtz Hall of Fame, as well as playing a round of golf at Williams Country Club.
”It’s about what the Holtz Foundation and the Hall of Fame has done for the entire valley,” Kelly said. ”It’s more than just scholarships and it gives kids and opportunity to continue their education. He has not forgotten his roots and that is what is great about Lou Holtz and that is why I wanted to be here this evening.
”I am honored to be a part of a great event. When he gave me a call and asked me to be here, it was my first opportunity to reach out to Coach Holtz and that is why I’m here.”
Kelly has spoken at more than 155 social events since taking the Notre Dame job last December, joking he has ”three Brian Kellys” to help him out.
But with training camp only months away, the coach is ready to get back out on the field and do what he was really hired to do.
”I’m really excited to get back to football soon, but I understand there is a lot of responsibility and the bottom line is that you’ve got to win,” Kelly said. ”Winning football games is the most important thing and we are going to get to that pretty soon.
”Today is not about waiting two or three years, people want to win now and I understand those expectations. We have to win. Just coming to Notre Dame and being average is not why I took the job. I want to compete for championships and those are our expectations.”
Kelly admitted selfishly to coming to the valley, where he knows has a strong Notre Dame fanbase. He also knows the athletes fairly well, having Derek Wolfe and Adam Hoppel from Beaver Local on his team at Cincinnati.
He also spoke glowingly of another Bearcat who will look to pick up where he left off from last season, Steubenville native and likely Cincinnati starting quarterback Zach Collaros.
”First and foremost, he’s a winner,” Kelly said. ”He won here with Big Red and then came to Cincinnati and got his opportunity and he electrified the entire country with his run against South Florida. When he had his chance, he made the best of it. He’s a great teammate and a great leader and that’s why he will continue to win.”
For anyone who knows Holtz and watches ESPN, you can see the former Irish coach wears his heart on his sleeve when talking about the school he led to the 1988 national championship.
Therefore, it isn’t a shock to find out just how much he believes in Kelly.
”To have Brian Kelly here is really special,” Holtz said. ”There is no doubt in my mind that Brian Kelly is the ideal man for the Notre Dame job. His record speaks for himself. It was a bad day for all the Notre Dame haters in the country when they hired Brian Kelly.”
And speaking of ESPN, do you ever wonder what Holtz really thinks of his bickering announce partner Mark May?
”We have a good relationship as long as he calls me Sir and bows and kisses my ring,” Holtz joked. ”Seriously, he is a wonderful person and is very intelligent. The difference in opinion is sincere. He looks at it as a player, I look at it as a coach. I have great respect for him as an individual and he is a true professional.”
Joining this year’s class were East Liverpool native Larry Bruno (who coached Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath in high school), businessman Jack Hill, Marc D. Hoffrichter D.D.S., and former Wellsville mayor Nunzio Lombardozzi.
Also being honored, although not in attendance, was Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga with the inaugural ”Do Right” Award. The phrase ”Do Right” is a favorite of Holtz’s, and after Galarraga showed professionalism and humanity toward umpire Jim Joyce after a bad call that resulted in the loss of his perfect game, Holtz felt he was the obvious recipient for this award.
