LOGAN, W.Va. (WSAZ) \u2013 Willie Akers, who was part of a dynamic duo that led West Virginia University basketball to incredible heights in the late 1950s has died. He was 89.<\/p>\n
Akers passed away Tuesday in Logan where the fieldhouse was renamed in his honor.<\/p>\n
The legend of Logan never forgot his Southern West Virginia roots, and his adopted hometown is remembering him fondly. <\/p>\n
WSAZ\u2019s Tim Irr sat down with people who said Akers was much more than a great basketball player and coach. <\/p>\n
Born and raised to play ball and win a state title in Mullens in Wyoming County, West Virginia, Akers ended up in Logan and never looked back. <\/p>\n
After teaming up with his friend and fellow in-state basketball legend Jerry West to make some history at West Virginia University, Akers played for Cleveland in the ABA before taking the head coaching job at Logan High School. <\/p>\n
Under his leadership, the Wildcats were a fixture in the state tournament — making it to the championship game eight times and winning four state titles. For 22 years, he crafted an atmosphere of victory. <\/p>\n
Willie Akers is a member of both the Logan High School Hall of Fame and the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n
For the full story from Tim Irr, check out the video above.<\/p>\n
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