Submitted photo Three WVWC students placed first in the WVATA 2026 Quiz Bowl – Shelby Genes, Nicholas Gerosa and Hannah Murphy.

BUCKHANNON — The West Virginia Athletic Trainers Association recently inducted two people with long-time ties to West Virginia Wesleyan College, Dr. Jean Fruh and Dr. Rae Emrick ’95, into the WVATA Hall of Fame at its spring meeting held in Buckhannon.

Along with that, three WVWC students placed first in the WVATA 2026 Quiz Bowl – Shelby Genes ’26, Nicholas Gerosa ’26 and Hannah Murphy ’26, earning the honor to represent WVATA and WVWC at the MAATA District 3 Quiz Bowl.

 Brian Potter ’03, said, “Jean Fruh is Wesleyan Athletic Training. Every program director since Jean is a former student of Jean’s at West Virginia Wesleyan College. I think that is pretty special.”

Fruh taught at WVWC from 1984-2004, beginning as an instructor in physical education and later serving as program director of the athletic training from 1990-2004 and assistant professor of physical education and athletic training from 2000-2004.

Jean Fruh is now executive director of the nonprofit foundation called Outside Hilton Head, which works toward environmental sustainability.

“Everything that she was at Wesleyan, everything that she imparted into us, she is still using and doing those things.  I’m incredibly honored to have helped nominate Jean and I’m incredibly honored to be here to help celebrate that accomplishment in her career and in Rae’s career as well,” he said. “A lot of what I have accomplished professionally is because of my time here at WVWC with Jean and Rae.”

 Emrick has served in multiple functions in the athletic training department at WVWC including clinical education coordinator and athletic training program director. She also served as associate professor of exercise science and athletic training, director of the School of Athletic Training, vice president for athletics and senior advisor for athletics.

Dr. Drew Mason ’00, assistant professor of athletic training and exercise science, said, “I have had the pleasure of knowing or working some of the best in the state and Rae is well deserving of this recognition. Myself and so many others owe her a great deal in regard to where we are and how we have arrived at our locations in athletic training.”