by Mickey Furfari
for The Register-Herald
West Virginia University coaches and co-workers from throughout the athletic department paid tribute to Shelly Poe at a farewell reception Monday afternoon in the Coliseum.
She is leaving after 26 years of distinguished, dedicated service, the last 19 as sports information director, to become director of athletics communications at Ohio State University. Monday was her last day on the job.
It was an at-times tearful departure for Poe, but she won’t be forgotten at her alma mater.
Allan Babcock of Fairmont donated $25,000 to the Mountaineer Athletic Club for a scholarship in her name. It is to assist students who would like to major in sports communications.
“This is so wonderful,” Poe told him. “It is an unbelievable gift.”
She also has received numerous cards and an assortment of other gifts. But that one highlighted her going-away fete.
Babcock, who has served as official scorekeeper at WVU men’s home basketball games for 63 years, already had contributed funds for two similar scholarships previously. The office complex in which the SID unit’s interns work has been named for Babcock.
He also has served many years as press box steward for home football games. And he donates his modest fees back to the university.
Babcock said, “I’ve been around so long and, while not a part of the sports information staff, it has been my privilege to serve 10 different SIDs in my time. And of all the ones I’ve worked with, I think Shelly is head and shoulders above everybody else.
“And the information she has gathered and the crew that she had here have done an excellent job in promoting university athletics. I just thanked her so much for giving me the opportunity to serve WVU.”
Babcock asked that the scholarship money and interest earned be used to enhance the importance of sports communications. “I’d like them to offer grants to deserving students that might some day become rising stars themselves,” he said.
“Shelly Poe has done an excellent job, and she’s the longest tenured SID we’ve ever had. It’s just great what she and her staff have done for WVU sports.”
He also presented her with a personal plaque commemorating her lengthy service.