SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 45

(By Senators Carmichael and Stollings)

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 18-68-0.44 (18A006) Lat/Long 38.94633, -81.76020, locally known as Ravenswood Town BR, carrying WV 68 over Sandy Creek near Ravenswood, Jackson County, the "James P. Spano, Jr. Memorial Bridge".

            Whereas, James P. Spano, Jr was born May 13, 1929, in Chattaroy, Mingo County. His parents were James Spano, Sr. and Mica Panzera Spano. He was one of eight siblings. He grew up in Chattaroy and was a star athlete and star basketball player for Chattaroy High School where he was the leading scorer at point guard. His basketball skills allowed him to earn a scholarship to Morris Harvey College in Charleston, West Virginia, being the only member of his family to attend college. Jim was encouraged by the late Eddie King to go out for football. He did and ended up playing all four years under the basketball scholarship that he had earned. Jim was a four-year letterman, starter and was noted as a superior blocker. Jim also started at nose guard, the position for which he was known best. He played in three bowl games while at Morris Harvey College, most notably the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando Florida. He was captain of the team his senior season in 1950 when the team was 11-0. He studied history and physical education while at Morris Harvey College. After college Jim joined the Navy and continued to play football and became a coach for the Naval Training Camp team. In 1951, Jim married Mary Winter from Fairplain, West Virginia. He was hired as head coach of the Ravenswood High School football and basketball teams in 1954. He also coached the baseball team, started the little league baseball program and the summer basketball league and wrote the Ravenswood High School fight song that is still used today. In 1957 he led Ravenswood High School to its first ever state championship, beating Rupert High School. Jim also coached the Little Kanawha Conference bowl game three times. In 1959 Jim led Ravenswood High School to its second state championship; and

            Whereas, Students who played for him remember Jim as a supreme motivator, getting the best out of each player. Jim Spano was a community service mentor as he started all of the youth programs, worked with the community and was instrumental in getting the current Ravenswood High School built. On June 27, 1962, James Spano died of a massive heart attack at the young age of 33 after coaching summer basketball games. He left the small community in shock and is still revered today 53 years after his passing. Jim left two sons, James P. Spano III and Joseph H. Spano, Sr., who carried on his rich football tradition. Coach Spano was inducted into the Mid-Ohio Valley Hall of Fame in 2002; and

            Whereas, Naming bridge number 18-68-0.44 (18A006) Lat/Long 38.94633, -81.76020, locally known as Ravenswood Town BR, carrying WV 68 over Sandy Creek near Ravenswood Jackson County, the "James P. Spano, Jr. Memorial Bridge" is an appropriate recognition of his contributions to his country, state, community and Jackson County; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 18-68-0.44 (18A006) Lat/Long 38.94633, -81.76020, locally known as Ravenswood Town BR, carrying WV 68 over Sandy Creek near Ravenswood, Jackson County, the "James P. Spano, Jr. Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the "James P. Spano, Jr. Memorial Bridge"; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and the surviving relatives of James P. Spano, Jr.