Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Glenville State University Athletics

OFFICIAL ATHLETICS SITE OF THE GLENVILLE STATE PIONEERS

Hall of Fame

Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor

  • Class
    1960
  • Induction
    2014
  • Sport(s)
    Football
Name: Fred Taylor, Athlete
Class of: 1960
Fred Taylor, a native of Walton, WV, graduated from Walton High School where he was a three varsity sport standout in football, basketball, and baseball. He was a four year starter on the Pioneer football team at GSC and was starting safety for the 1958 WVIAC undefeated team. In 1959 he was starting quarterback, team captain, and leading scorer for the Pioneers. During his college career, Taylor was also a member of the Pioneer baseball team, G Club, and the Kappa Sigma Kappa Fraternity. Fred received a master's degree in Physical Education from West Virginia University in 1965 and obtained a degree in Education Administration from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies in 1989. He was head high school coach in about all sports starting in Avon, OH and then coming back to his native West Virginia at Walton, Ripley, and Ravenswood High Schools. Taylor's longest tenure of 31 years was at Ravenswood High School where he served as athletic director and head football coach. Fred had a career football coaching record of 209-129-6 and coached 36 all-state players. He coached State AA football championship teams in 1972 (undefeated) and 1976 (11-1). He also had a semi-finalist undefeated State AAA football championship in 1974. Taylor was selected West Virginia High School Football Coach of the Year in 1976 by the West Virginia Athletic Coaches Association and runner-up West Virginia High School Football Coach of the Year by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association the same year. He was nominated for National High School Football Coach of the Year four times by the West Virginia Athletic Coaches Association and was District National High School Football Coach of the Year in 1972, one of only eight football coaches to be so recognized nationally. This recognition was held in Jackson Hole, WY. Taylor was coach in three West Virginia High School Football North-South All-Star games. His coaching accomplishments were captured in Fred Toothman's book entitled "Wild Wonderful Winners"; Great Football Coaches of West Virginia. After retiring from coaching in 1996, he was an assistant professor in the Physical Education Department at the University of Rio Grande in Ohio. He was inducted into the Mid-Ohio Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. Fred and his wife Helen (Harper) Taylor (deceased) had three children: Joe, Sandra, and Robert. He has eight grandchildren and resides in Spencer.
Explore HOF Explore Hall of Fame Members