HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 45

(By Delegate Toney)

February 17, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then the Committee on Rules

Requesting the Division of Highways name a portion of road, being the offramp beginning at the Mullins/Sophia Exit on the Coalfields Expressway, to the end of the offramp at its intersection with WV 54 in Mullens, Wyoming County, the "Lewis Joseph D’Antoni Memorial Road".

Whereas, Lewis Joseph D’Antoni was born in McComas, WV, December 31, 1913, to Andrea and Flora D’Antoni; he was the eldest of four children; and

Whereas, Lewis Joseph D’Antoni graduated from Mullens High School and received a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Concord College where he was president of the freshmen class and of Phi Delta Pi Fraternity, was a four year letterman in football and basketball (leading scorer all four years) and captain of both teams in 1936, selected for the WVIC All Conference Football Team (1936) and WVIC All Tournament Basketball Team (1935 and1936)  and later selected to the All-Timers WIVAC Football and Basketball Team; thereafter, he earned his Master’s Degree from Marshall University; and

Whereas, Upon graduation from college, Lewis Joseph D’Antoni began his teaching and coaching career in Pineville, while playing D League professional baseball in the summers; and

Whereas, In 1942, Lewis enlisted in the U. S. Navy during World War II; he served 44 months, 15 of those months in the Pacific, as a Lieutenant JG; and

Whereas, Lewis Joseph D’Antoni married the former Betty Jo Bailey and they had four children: Kathy Jo, Lewis Joseph D’Antoni II "Danny," Michael Andrew and Mark Bailey; and

Whereas, Both before and after his military service, Lewis Joseph D’Antoni was a high school teacher and principal and enjoyed an outstanding career as a basketball, football, and baseball coach, including: at Pineville High School, 6 man football coach (1938), basketball coach (1937 - 1941); Mullens High School- football coach (1946 -1950), basketball coach (1942 - 1959 with a record: W 223, L 75); selected baseball coach, South All-Stars (195I assistant coach; 1952- 1955 head coach); coached in five state basketball tournaments, including state runner-up basketball champions (1954); state basketball champions (1955); selected West Virginia High School Coach of the Year (1955); his basketball coaching career record is 450 wins, and  200 losses; and

Whereas, Lewis Joseph D’Antoni was also involved in community sports in Mullins; he organized the Little League, Babe Ruth League, and the basketball summer leagues in Mullens, and introduced marble tournaments in the area that produced a national champion; and

Whereas, After re-locating as head basketball coach at Chesapeake High School in Ohio, Lewis Joseph D’Antoni continued his successful coaching career, including coaching six Ohio Valley Conference winners; was selected Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year 6 times, head coach of the Ohio Valley High School All-Stars in 1980, and l982, winning both years; and

Whereas, Lewis Joseph D’Antoni was the recipient of numerous awards; he was inducted into the Mullens, Chesapeake and West Virginia Sports Halls of Fame and was distinguished as a charter member in the Concord University Hall of Fame. In 1992, 2010 and 2014, he was awarded the distinguished West Virginian Award; and

Whereas, Lewis Joseph D’Antoni died on October 28, 2017; he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo, and is survived by his children, Kathy Jo, Lewis Joseph II (Danny), Michael Andrew, and Mark Bailey, his grandchildren, Matthew, Andrew, Nicholas, Morgan, Michael, Bailey, Parker, Kennedy, and three great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Jackson and William; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate Lewis Joseph D’Antoni and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a portion of road, being the offramp beginning at the Mullins/Sophia Exit on the Coalfields Expressway, to the end of the offramp at its intersection with WV 54 in Mullens, Wyoming County, the "Lewis Joseph D’Antoni Memorial Road"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs at both ends identifying the portion of road as the "Lewis Joseph D’Antoni Memorial Road"; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.