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Glenville State University Athletics

OFFICIAL ATHLETICS SITE OF THE GLENVILLE STATE PIONEERS

Hall of Fame

Jess Lilly

Jesse Lilly, Jr.

  • Class
    1948
  • Induction
    2001
  • Sport(s)
    Football, Men's Basektball, Coach
Name: Jesse Lilly, Jr., Athlete - Coach - Director of Athletics
Class of: 1948
Jesse Lilly, Jr., inducted posthumously, was a Beckley native. He competed in both football and basketball and was an All-Conference basketball player in 1947 and 1948, scoring over 1,000 points in his college career. Lilly coached for several years at Elkview High School before moving to Glenville State where he coached the Pioneer Basketball teams to 272 wins. During that time, his teams won two tournament championships. Coach Lilly, who also served as Director of Athletics for a period of time, was named West Virginia's Coach of the Year in 1972, and he was named one of the WVIAC's All Time Coaches during its 50 year anniversary. In 2002, GSC's gymnasium was named for him. He is survived by his wife, Anne Withers Lilly '43; sons, Tom '75, John '76, and Bill '82, and four grandchildren.
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