“Coach” Myles Bernard Witchey
“Coach” Myles Bernard Witchey has run the clock out in the championship game and has taken his final checkered flag. He left this earth at 94 incredible years of age on May 8th, 2025, under the care of hospice at Jupiter Medical Center, Jupiter, Florida.
He was born December 19, 1930, in Shortcreek, OH to the late Walter Witchey and Hazel Mae (Reed) Witchey both of Belmont, Ohio.
Myles enjoyed a life well lived beginning as a basketball player at Belmont High School and later at West Liberty State College in Wheeling, WV; where in 1952 he was instrumental in getting the “Hilltoppers” to a berth in the NAIA Division 1 tournament as a sophomore. As a senior, he was one of the top 20 leading scorers in the nation averaging 26 points per game.
He graduated from West Liberty College with a BS in Health and Physical education and earned a Masters of Business from WVU.
During high school and in college he worked as an electrician. After graduation, he joined the Army and served during the Korean War in Anchorage, Alaska where he was also asked to play basketball for the Army team which later earned him a tryout for the 1956 Olympic basketball team. In 1962 he was named to the WVIACs All-time men’s basketball team after completing a Master’s Degree from WVU in Health and Physical Education.
He taught and coached basketball in the Ohio Valley and in 1962 he was hired as Head Basketball Coach and assistant professor of Health and Physical Education at California State College (PA) later becoming California University of Pennsylvania.
There he rebuilt the basketball program while spending his summers at Indiana University Bloomington, IN in pursuit of a doctorate degree. His most memorable coaching experience was taking the Vulcans, the mythical God of Fire, to win the PSAC division 1 state college championship against the rugged Cheney State College team in 1970.
Years later he organized the first summer basketball camp for youths age 12-18 featuring Pete Maravich at Cal State. This opened the door for basketball camps and in 1972 he was sent to Stockholm Sweden as US technical representative of the federal basketball association. Here he set up clinics for coaches and established youth basketball camps for ages 12-18. This also opened the door for recruiting potential players to the US.
Through the NAIA he represented the United States for scheduling the Cal State Vulcans to play in Stockholm Sweeden and in 1973 the Vulcans played in England, Scottland and Ireland.
He was inducted into the West Liberty (WV) Hall of Fame in 1993 and the California State College (PA) Hall of Fame in 2002.
Myles attended nearly every final-four game after becoming a coach where he welcomed many friends and former players to partake.
In 1987 Myles retired from California University to pursue a second career in Life Insurance and moved to Lexington, KY where he was head of pension maximization and retirement benefits for Kentucky Central Life Insurance until 1993. In 1999 he returned to Washington, PA in retirement. As a result of contracting covid in 2021 his residency changed when his two sons moved him to Jupiter, FL until his passing.
His affiliations include a 78 year membership in the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and a 62 year membership of the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches). He was a member of the NCAA Coaches Association, The Masonic Lodge, The Kentucky Colonels and many others.
Coach Witchey devoted much of his life to the game of basketball, but even more so to the young men he guided on and off the court. His influence extended far beyond the hardwood, leaving lasting friendships with generations of athletes from many sports, colleagues, and friends whose lives were enriched by his mentorship and open-minded friendship.
Beyond basketball, Myles found joy in the thrill of car racing; a passion that reflected his adventurous spirit and love of competition. He won many races in the Ohio and Pennsylvania valleys under the alias “Franny Gower” to protect his position at the University.
He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Hazel (Reed) Witchey; his sister, Maxine (Witchey) Ranck and Dr Merril Ranck (TX); his brother, Tommy Wayne Witchey, nephew Timothy Witchey and daughter-in-law Janene (Ferris) Witchey (VA).
He is survived by his sons, Myles B Witchey II (Gracia) Jupiter, FL, Bryan Wayne Witchey, Jupiter, FL; Grandson Wyatt A Witchey of Boston, MA; and a granddaughter Sierra Witchey of Jupiter, FL, his long-time companion Marie Horne; several nieces and nephews as well as the mother to his two children Bernadine (Schiavon) Witchey of Lexington, KY.
Last, but not least are the players of Cal State Basketball (and other sports) “The Band of Brothers”, those who have passed and those of present who have maintained a constant contact with “Coach” until his passing.
A celebration of life will be held during homecoming Saturday October 18th at the California University Vulcan (Adamson) Stadium College Farm pavilion from 12 until 9
Family and players can enjoy an intimate memorial from 12-3.
(Traffic warning as the parade in town starts at 12 and the game starts at 3)
Graveside services will be held Sunday October 19th at 11 AM at Belmont Cemetery, Belmont, OH with Chaplain Leo Gonot officiating. Full Military Graveside Honors will be conducted by the Moundsville Honor Guard.
Myles will be remembered for his love of family, his passion for coaching, his adventurous spirit, and the warmth he shared with everyone he met.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Coach Myles Witchey scholarship fund which, as he did; will help young athletes at Cal-U Penn West forever.