Wheeling, W. Va. - Fifty years ago, the Wheeling University Women's Basketball team made their first appearance on campus during the 1975-76 season. One of the pioneers of that program is set to be honored for her athletic achievement during her high school career at Wheeling Central Catholic High School (Wheeling CCHS). Cindy Albert, class of 1980, is set to be inducted into the Wheeling Central Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, September 27th, in the Wheeling CCHS Great Hall at 10 AM.
"Being inducted into the CCHS Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor, one that fills me with pride and gratitude," said Albert. "However, the recognition is not mine alone – it belongs to my teammates, coaches, and family who supported and believe in me. We built something bigger than ourselves, and I am proud to know that our efforts helped open doors for future generations of young women in sports. To be honored for doing something I loved so deeply is truly humbling, and I am grateful to be a part of the rich tradition of CCHS athletics."
Albert joined the Wheeling University Women's Basketball team in their second season in 1976-77 and was a four-year player for the Cardinals. She joined a roster of eight players who helped Pioneer Wheeling Women's Basketball on campus and across the region. While a member of the team, the Cardinals would improve their win total for three straight years, going 2-8 during her freshman year and improving that mark to 6-12 by her junior season. She was on the court when Title IX was in it's infancy, and she and her fellow teammates would help pave the way for Cardinal student-athletes for years to come. On the court, Albert was known for her leadership and her competitiveness, during both her high school and college career.
Prior to coming to Wheeling, Albert was a four-year member of the Maroon Knights Basketball team and helped pave the way on the court for female athletes for Wheeling Central Catholic High School as well. After four years on the court at Wheeling CCHS, Albert would become the first Wheeling Central Female Athlete to earn a four-year college athletic/academic scholarship. On the basketball court, she would be known for her competitive leadership and her ability to support her teammates. This dedication to service continued throughout her professional life, where she spent over 20 years as an administrator and a volunteer in her community.
She would graduate from Wheeling College in 1980 with a B.S. degree in business and would come back to earn her MBA from Wheeling Jesuit. Following her graduation, she worked 13 years as an office manager for her father's local electrical contracting company. In 2024, Albert would retire as an administrator for the Congregation of St. Joseph in Wheeling, where she helped serve the local community. She lived the university's mission of life, leadership, and service with and among others, taking every opportunity to help give back to the community. Most recently, she would help as a volunteer in Wheeling University's auxiliary gym helping support local victims that were impacted by the flooding in June.
The Wheeling Central Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 27th, at 10 AM in the Wheeling CCHS Great Hall.
