WVU Hall-of-Famer Willie Akers dies at 89
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MORGANTOWN - Willie Akers, a starting forward on WVU's 1959 national runner-up men's basketball team and an award-winning high school coach in West Virginia, died Tuesday in Logan at the age of 89.
The Mullens native was inducted into the WVU Hall of Fame in 2002. He was a two-year starter for the Mountaineers, including the 1958-59 season in which WVU fell to California in the national championship game. He averaged 7.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game that season.
Along with Jerry West, the two in-state products forged a longtime friendship during their high school days that led to them both enrolling at WVU in 1956, setting up what is known as the "Golden Era" for the program.
The duo helped guide the Mountaineers to three Southern Conference tournament championships and three trips to the NCAA tournament. WVU finished 81-12 overall in those three seasons.
Akers earned his bachelor's in physical education from WVU in 1960 and a master's degree from the school in 1968.
After college, Akers had a two-year stint of professional basketball, playing for the Cleveland Pipers of the ABA. That led to his career in high school education, first becoming the head coach at Logan High School, where he led the school to four state championships over 22 seasons. He was named the state's Coach of the Year in 1983. Akers finished his coaching days at Logan with a 402-116 record.
Akers' dedication to education also led him to becoming an assistant principal at Logan, as well as the Logan County assistant superintendent of schools.
During the 1957-58 season, WVU defeated both No. 5 Kentucky and No. 1 North Carolina in consecutive nights, vaulting the Mountaineers from No. 8 to No. 1 in the nation. Akers helped in the win against the Tar Heels by grabbing 13 rebounds off the bench.
The following season, Akers moved into the starting lineup, along with West, Bobby Joe Smith, Bob Clousson, and Bucky Bolyard. WVU began that season ranked No. 4 in the country, and advanced through the NCAA tournament with victories against Dartmouth, St. Joseph's, Boston University and Louisville.
That set up a showdown with California for the national championship game. The Bears held on for a 71-70 victory. Akers finished with 10 points and six rebounds in the game.
As seniors, Akers and West were named co-captains. The Mountaineers reached as high as No. 2 in the AP Top 25 and Akers scored a career-high 21 points against VMI in the opening round of the Southern Conference tournament. Akers was named Southern Conference All-Tournament in 1960.
WVU was upset by No. 12 New York University in the second round of the 1960 NCAA tournament and Akers' college career came to an end the next night with a consolation victory over St. Joseph's. In his final two games, Akers combined for 24 rebounds.
Akers wrapped up his college career with totals of 669 points and 573 rebounds.
Along with the WVU Hall of Fame honor, Akers was also inducted into the West Virginia Sportswriters Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Logan High Hall of Fame in 1994. He was also recognized with the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences in 1991.
Akers is survived by his wife, Linda, as well as two sons, four grandchildren and a great grandson.