Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Glenville State University Athletics

OFFICIAL ATHLETICS SITE OF THE GLENVILLE STATE PIONEERS

Hall of Fame

Whitey Adolfson

Earl "Whitey" Adolfson

  • Class
  • Induction
    2008
  • Sport(s)
    Coach
Name: Earl "Whitey" Adolfson, Coach - Assistant Athletic Director
Coach Earl "Whitey" Adolfson, a native of Belmont, spent much of his young life in Weston. He "walked-on" with West Virginia University's football team in 1949 before transferring to West Virginia Institute of Technology where he started as center and linebacker from 1950-1953 and graduated in 1954. "Whitey" received his Master of Science degree in Physical Education from WVU in 1962 then taught and coached in Lewis and Wirt County schools and at Southern High School in Oakland, MD before coming to Glenville State College in 1966 as an instructor and assistant football coach. He was defensive coordinator for the Pioneers from 1968-1974 and celebrated the 1973 team's NAIA Football National Championship Runner-Up honors. Additionally he was assistant basketball coach in 1966 and revived the College's wrestling program from 1968-1975. "Whitey" was head football coach from 1975-1979 and continued teaching and served as assistant athletic director from 1980-1985. After 30 years of teaching and coaching, he pursued a career with I. L. Morris Well Service until his retirement in 1993. Respected by his fellow coaches and student athletes, "Whitey" has been a loyal GSC advocate for over four decades. He received the 1996 West Virginia Coaches Association's "Retired Coach of the Year" honors for his contributions to coaching and is often referred to as "the players coach". Now retired, he continues to be one of the Pioneer's biggest fans. "Whitey" and his wife, Jean, who is deceased, are parents of daughters Tanya Barker '73 and Machelle "Shelly" Stalnaker '77, son, Greg Adolfson, and grandchildren, Daphne and Tyler Stalnaker and Brett Barker. Both son-in-laws, Charles "Chuck" Barker '79 and Lynn Stalnaker '80 played football for "Whitey" at Glenville State.
Explore HOF Explore Hall of Fame Members