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Glenville State University Athletics

OFFICIAL ATHLETICS SITE OF THE GLENVILLE STATE PIONEERS

Hall of Fame

Jim Dobby Laughlin

James "Dobby" Laughlin

  • Class
    1951
  • Induction
    2010
  • Sport(s)
    Football, Baseball
Name: James "Dobby" Laughlin, Athlete
Class of: 1951
James "Dobby" Laughlin is a native of Ravenswood. He graduated from Glenville State College in 1951, lettering in football and baseball. Jim played at West Virginia University for one year before transferring to Glenville for three years of football and baseball. "Dobby" was an All-Conference back on the 1950 All-WVIAC football team. He was tied for team scoring honors that season with 18 points. Jim was Two Time All WVIAC in Football and Two Time All WVIAC in baseball. Team members and coaches remember him as an exceptionally tough baseball player. He served one year as assistant football and baseball coach at Ripley High School then coached football and baseball at Clifton Forge (VA) High School (1952-1955). Jim's team won the State Conference title with an undefeated and unscored upon season in 1954. Because of this, he was named 1954 Man of the Year. Jim coached football at Martinsville (VA) High School before moving to administration, first as a principal and later as a superintendent (Allegheny County VA schools), for twenty years before retiring in 1986. He holds a Master in Administration and Elementary Education from Appalachian State in Boone, NC and received additional hours at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Laughlin served twice as Interim City Manager for the City of Clifton Forge, VA ? these terms being in 1987 and 1989. Additionally he was Recreation Director for the City of Martinsville, VA from 1956-1959. Dobby counts being named to the WVIAC All Time All Conference Team in 1975 among his finest honors. He fondly remembers playing in the 1947 North-South football game in Charleston after high school. A WWII veteran, Laughlin served the Navy in the South Pacific (Guan) before coming to Glenville State College. Jim and his wife, Mary Ann, reside in Clifton Forge, VA. They count among their blessings, their son, Reid; daughter in law, Sheila; and their two grandchildren, Jacob and Zac Laughlin.
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