No one will ever replicate Jerry West.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Yesterday started like any typical sunny summer day. Arrive at work by 9 am, check social media, and contemplate leaving early to walk the dog. That's when my boss, Michael Fragale, entered with news that Jerry West had passed away.
"Time to get to work," he said.
Talk about a shock! As someone who writes obituaries, preparations are often made for legends like Hot Rod Hundley and Sam Huff, whose health had been declining. But Jerry West, known for his boundless energy?
Peter Pans don't typically fade away, until they do.
Where to begin with a man of such immense accomplishments? How to capture the essence of his 86 remarkable years?
It's impossible to summarize all that Jerry West meant to West Virginia University and its people in such a short time.
Who do you consult when he meant so much to everyone?
When unsure where to start, it's best to go back to the beginning. For me, that means digging into my file cabinet of interviews, including those with West himself. Over half a dozen transcribed telephone calls, each lasting between 20 minutes to half an hour, captured his insights.
Some people grant only fleeting attention, eager to move on. Not Jerry.
He willingly shared his time, especially on topics close to his heart—like his friend Willie Akers and his teammates at WVU.
I remember asking Jerry West once about the abundance of talented basketball players in West Virginia during the mid-1950s, when he was at East Bank High. I shared with him a story from the late Eddie Barrett about Virginia Tech coach Chuck Noe noticing high school game scores—40s and 50s in Virginia versus 80s and 90s in West Virginia—and deciding he wanted players from West Virginia.
That got Jerry talking.
"We played against the Kentucky all-star team, supposed to have the best players in America," he recalled. "Turned out, we were better. We beat them twice. It was a high-caliber group we had in West Virginia."
Jerry attributed this to style of play and coaching philosophy. "Coaches inherited their style," he said. "Maryland played a slowed-down game. I liked them, but couldn't play that way."
West Virginia coach Fred Schaus, newly retired from the pros, with assistant George King, gave personal guidance. King's NBA experience helped Jerry grow confident. "Great environment to learn," Jerry said. "Their teamwork was key to their success."
This set the stage for Jerry's later achievements with the Lakers, Grizzlies, Warriors, and Clippers. Schaus convinced Willie Akers to support Jerry at WVU, where winning mattered most.
"We were competitive," Jerry said. "Quiet, shy, serious—but it changed."
At a speaking event in Lewisburg, I saw Jerry's focus, preparing for tough questions on his personal book. I realized Jerry was elite, embodying West Virginia's values—respect, professionalism, commitment.
Study Jerry West's life, his successes, failures, and values. He epitomized West Virginia's spirit. Lower flags till June 20th for Jerry West—there will never be another.
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