Parkersburg High School began an elective course, "Sports in American Culture," for the 2020 - 2021 school year. The course focuses on the history, social impact, and cultural legacy of athletics, primarily with a focus on North America.

Starting with the 2022 - 2023 school year, Parkersburg High began offering 2 college elective courses (through WVU), "Sports in American Society" and "The Olympics." Students can earn up to 6 college credit hours. The fall semester is a focus on the sociology of sports and the spring semester is a focus on the history and impact of the Olympics.

To help student learning, engagement, and retention, the school has been able to provide some unique opportunities. Several field trips have been taken, including an in-depth look at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as guided tours of Acrisure Stadium (home of the Pittsburgh Steelers) and PNC Park (home of the Pittsburgh Pirates).

Additionally, several guest speakers from the sports world have been willing to share their journeys, thoughts, and advice to students, both with in-person interviews and more commonly "Zoom" interviews. These experiences have been wonderful, as the sports figure shares their personal thoughts, as well as PHS students work on their research and interviewing skills with hands-on learning.

This page is a way for students, alumni, and the community to see the wonderful students and unique interactions that are occurring at Parkersburg High School.

Jim Calhoun is a retired college basketball coach. Coach Calhoun led the basketball programs at Northeastern, University of St. Joseph (CT), and most famously the University of Connecticut (UCONN). While at UCONN, Coach Calhoun won 3 National Championships, coached 33 NBA players, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005. Coach Calhoun spent time talking about what he looks for in a high school prospect, the glory days of the Big East, his favorite player of all time, and his mantra of "Win the Day."

Steffen Hoos is a retired Winter Olympian and sports executive in Germany. He is also the father of a PHS foreign exchange student Nelly Hoos. Mr. Hoos represented Germany, participating in the Biathlon, at the 1992 Winter Olympics. Mr. Hoos spent time talking about his journey to the Olympics, growing up in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall, and his beliefs in getting to know people from different cultures, among other topics.

Rob Manfred is the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Mr. Manfred has been the MLB Commissioner since 2015, serving as a lawyer and baseball executive prior to his appointment. Mr. Manfred spent time talking about changes in Major League Baseball, his thoughts on the Baseball Hall of Fame, and even gave away 2 Yankees tickets to a lucky PHS senior.

Scott Van Pelt is the current host of the 11:00 PM SportsCenter on ESPN. Mr. Van Pelt has worked for ESPN since 2000, serving as a host, analyst, and other various roles. Mr. Van Pelt spent time talking about his time at ESPN, his thoughts on today's sports, and what it takes to be a great writer, among other topics.

Joe Mazzulla is the current Head Coach of the Boston Celtics. Coach Mazzulla is a former WVU guard, having helped lead the team to the 2010 Final Four, as well as a college Head Coach and Celtics' assistant. Coach Mazzulla spent time talking about a day-to-day routine for an NBA coach, his favorite memories from WVU, and even shared his music choices on gameday and how it relieves stress, among other topics.

Wren Baker is the current Athletic Director at West Virginia University. Mr. Baker spent time previously as the Athletic Director at North Texas University, as well as working with Hall of Fame Coach Eddie Sutton at Oklahoma State. Mr. Baker spent time talking about his vision for WVU, the importance of Title IX, and his standards for coaches at the Division I level, among other topics.

Fred Ridley is the Chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club. Mr. Ridley is the former U.S. Amateur Champion and former President of the United States Golf Association (USGA). Mr. Ridley spent time talking about his dream golf foursome, his favorite traditions at the Masters, and the joy of playing golf, among other topics.

Art Rooney II is the owner of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. Arguably the most successful franchise in the past 50 years of sports, the Rooney family has owned the family since 1933. Mr. Rooney spent time talking about his life growing up with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the importance of the Rooney Rule, and his favorite Super Bowl memories, among other topics.

Billy Beane is the Senior Advisor and Minority Owner of the Oakland Athletics' baseball franchise. Mr. Beane is the former General Manager of the Oakland Athletics and the inspiration for the book, "Moneyball," as well as the movie by the same name. Mr. Beane spent time talking about the future of logistics in sports, his thoughts on how to get a career in sports, as well as his love for PHS grad Nick Swisher, among other topics.

Joe Montana is a motivational speaker, spokesman, and investor. Mr. Montana is a former college quarterback at Notre Dame, retired Hall of Fame quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, and pioneer of the West Coast Offense. Mr. Montana won 4 Super Bowls, 3 Super Bowl MVP's, 2 Regular Season MVP's, and is often considered one of the greatest football players of all time. Mr. Montana spent time talking about his time at Notre Dame, his thoughts after winning his first Super Bowl, and the time as a rookie that the trainer thought he was the kicker, among other topics.

Greg Louganis is a motivational speaker. Mr. Louganis is a retired competitive diver, winning 5 Olympic Medals (4 Gold, 1 Silver) from 1976 - 1988. Widely considered the greatest American diver of all time, Mr. Louganis spent time talking about his upbringing in California, the feeling when the United States boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics, and the aftermath from hitting his head on the board at the 1988 Games, among other topics.

Andy Reid is a the current Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Reid is 2-time Super Bowl winning head coach, and currently the 4th winningest coach in NFL history. Coach Reid spoke about the mindset of Patrick Mahomes, what it takes to be a champion, and the importance of women in sports, among other topics.

John Stockton is a retired NBA player and former Olympian. Mr. Stockton is the all-time record holder in both assists and steals, playing his entire NBA career with the Utah Jazz. Mr. Stockton was also a part of the 1992 USA Basketball "Dream Team." Mr. Stockton spoke about his mindset as an NBA star, what it meant to get the call he was on the Olympic team, and his thoughts on his NBA records, among other topics.

This is a partial interview with Dr. Eric Heiden. The internet stopped working throughout the interview, so much of the interview was not recorded.

Dr. Eric Heiden is a physician and surgeon. Dr. Heiden is considered one of, if not the most, decorated Winter Olympians in American History. Dr. Heiden won 5 Gold Medals in Speed Skating at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. Dr. Heiden spent time talking about his favorite memories from 1980, his life now as a surgeon, as well as his mindset for being a successful athlete, among other topics.

Bill Curry is a motivational speaker and proud husband, father, and grandfather. Mr. Curry played 8 seasons in the NFL, winning 2 Super Bowls (including Super Bowl I), and coached collegiate football for nearly 40 years. Mr. Curry spent time talking about playing for both Vince Lombardi and Don Shula, the memories from Super Bowl I, and his keys for a successful life, among other topics.

Bob Costas is a 29 time Emmy Award winning sports broadcaster, who has 8 times been named SportsCaster of the Year. Mr. Costas has covered the Olympics, NBA Finals, Super Bowls, World Series, Kentucky Derbies, and other sports events throughout his career. Mr. Costas spent time talking about his love of baseball (and showed his Mickey Mantle card), the 3 events he would most like to go back and watch, as well as his role covering the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase, among other topics.

Jim Tressel is the current President of Youngstown State University. Mr. Tressel is the former National Championship winning head coach of both the Youngstown State Penguins and Ohio State Buckeyes. Mr. Tressel spent time talking about the attributes of becoming a great student-athlete, the best games he was ever a part of, and advice he would give to his 17 year old self, among other topics.

Erika Nardini is the CEO of Barstool Sports. Mrs. Nardini has helped Barstool Sports become one of the most successful and fastest growing media companies in the United States, creating opportunities for new sports media, including podcasts, internet shows, and other ventures. Mrs. Nardini spent time talking about her day-to-day work life, the changing world of entertainment, and her role with the WWE, among other topics.

Mike Eruzione is a motivational speaker. Mr. Eruzione was the Captain of the Gold Medal winning 1980 USA Olympic Hockey Team, remembered in sports history for the "Miracle on Ice." Mr. Eruzione spent time talking about believing in your dreams, the memory of Coach Herb Brooks, and the feeling of winning a Gold Medal, among other topics.

Bob Baffert is an American racehorse trainer, who is considered by many to be the greatest training in racing history. His horses have won 17 Triple Crown races, including a record 6 Kentucky Derbies. Mr. Baffert trained the two most recent Triple Crown winners, Justify (2018) and American Pharaoh (2015). Mr. Baffert spent time talking about his career in racing, the importance of the Kentucky Derby, and his philosophy on the sport, among other things.

Joe Lunardi is a college basketball analyst and "Bracketologist" for ESPN. Mr. Lunardi has worked for ESPN since 1996, most notably predicting the "March Madness" brackets prior to Selection Sunday. Mr. Lunardi spent time talking about his process for predicting the "March Madness" bracket, how he ended up at ESPN, and his predictions for the 2021 NCAA Tournament, among other topics.

Tony Caridi is the "Voice of the Mountaineers," serving as the play-by-play announcer for both WVU football and basketball. Mr. Caridi has worked for WVU athletics since 1984, and also is the co-host of the popular podcast, "3 Guys Before the Game." Mr. Caridi spent time talking about his favorite memories with WVU, his preparation prior to a game, as well as his famous catchphrase, "It's a Great Day to be a Mountaineer, Wherever You Might Be," among other topics.

Mike Golic, Sr. is a football analyst and current sports broadcaster on the Draft Kings Network. He formerly played collegiate football at Notre Dame, spent 8 seasons in the NFL, and worked for ESPN, remembered primarily as the co-host of "Mike and Mike" on ESPN Radio. Mr. Golic spent time talking about the recruiting process for high school athletes, the hardest player he ever tried to tackle, and his thoughts on present-day athletics, among other topics.

Dean Blandino is the Rules Analyst on FOX Sports. He covers both College Football and the NFL, often providing guidance on rules and officiating to TV analysts during football broadcasts. Mr. Blandino spent time talking about the road to becoming a referee, the importance of women in professional sports, and his thoughts on the officiating of the 2021 Super Bowl, among other topics.