Wheeling, W. Va. - Every year, one person living in the Ohio Valley is awarded for their service to the youth with the Ohio Valley Light of the Valley Award. This year, a Wheeling University alum, former coach, and lifelong fan is being awarded for his work with the youth of the valley. Tom Bechtle ('73) worked as Recreational Director for the city of Wheeling from 1973-2019 and helped with Wheeling University Men's Basketball in one way or another for over 50 years. He is being rewarded for his work on Wednesday at the Ohio Valley Light of the Valley Award Luncheon, where he will be named the 2022 recipient of the Light of the Valley Award. 

"I have been fortunate enough to win a few awards in my lifetime and I'm never big on those," said Bechtel. "My mission in life was to serve the youth of the Ohio Valley. Being recreation director was a great job for me and I loved every moment of it, and obviously it involved working with the youth of the valley." 

Bechtel grew up in the Ohio Valley and, when it came time to begin his college career, he didn't go very far. He arrived at Wheeling University in the fall of 1969 and was a two-year member of the Wheeling Men's Basketball team. Even after his playing days were over, he remained part of the team as an assistant coach for three seasons. After he graduated in 1973, he was looking for a job and landed a job as a program coordinator for the city of Wheeling. Initially, it wasn't going to be a full-time job for Bechtel, but 45 years later he retired as the city's program director. 

During his time with Wheeling, he worked to create more opportunities for the youth of the Valley through several initiatives. He helped create the city's recreation basketball league, the Wheeling Recreation shootout, and summer camps for several different sports. He also added more teams to the city's recreation softball league, which allowed more kids to participate. While he was serving as the City's Recreation Director, he remained loyal to the college that gave him so much and worked with the Men's Basketball team for over 50 years. 

He started as the program's Co-Freshman team coach with former teammate and friend Pat McCune as he helped Wheeling Freshman transition into the college game. He also served as the play clock operator, game clock operator, and eventually was a color commentator on the college's stream. Throughout the years, Bechtel's love for Wheeling University has remained the same even through his ever-changing roles. 

"I love Wheeling (University) and it was a great experience," said Bechtel. "I obviously stuck around and there aren't a whole lot of fans who can say they were fans of Wheeling Basketball for over 50 years. It was a great experience and for what I would up doing working with the public a Jesuit education was the best for me. It taught me how to be a good person and treat people right." 

Bechtel will be honored at a luncheon on Wednesday, August 24th at noon at the Wheeling Park White Palace.