January 26, 2022

Wheeling University Selected as Host Site for the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football and Band Camp

Wheeling, W. Va., January 26, 2022 – The Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC) announced Wednesday that Wheeling University will become the new home of the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football and All-Star Band Camp. The camp will take place July 17 -23, and will bring more than 200 high school football players, band members, cheerleaders and Queen of Queen candidates to University’s campus for the week leading up to the annual all-star game.

Wheeling University President Ginny R. Favede said, “I want to thank the OVAC All-Star Program and the OVAC Executive Board for the opportunity to host this event that touches the lives of students throughout OVAC schools. We like to refer to ourselves as the city of Wheeling’s college and having the camp at our campus is a win-win for the University and the city. We are thrilled to become the new home of this OVAC  program.”

Favede explained that the process to bid for this camp began two years ago. Since that time, several members of the campus have worked diligently to prepare its proposal. “Hosting this camp is a fantastic opportunity for the OVAC All-Star players, band members, cheerleaders and Queen of Queen candidates to utilize our campus facilities, including Bishop Schmitt Field, our residence halls and dining services. The University looks forward to welcoming these young men and women as part of our Cardinal family this summer,” the President added.

After the players, coaches, cheerleaders and band prepare at Wheeling University, they will make a short drive to Wheeling Island Football Stadium to play the 76th annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game.

Wheeling University Athletic Director Carrie Hanna echoed the gratitude that Favede expressed and is excited about the opportunity the OVAC All-Star Football and All-Star Band Camp presents both to the city of Wheeling and to Wheeling University.

“I just want to reemphasize our president’s gratitude for an entrustment of the OVAC,” said Hanna. “We are excited to host this event, and I think it will be a wonderful event not only for our campus community but for the surrounding area as well.”

The Wheeling University Football program has seen several alumni of the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star game play essential roles in the development of its program. Current Wheeling University seniors Ryan LaFollette and Jake Keenan each played in the game during their time in high school, and in total the Wheeling Football team has 14 players who played high school football at OVAC schools.

Wheeling University Head Football coach Zac Bruney is an alumnus of the game himself, playing in the 2000 OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game, and is excited for the game to come back to Wheeling’s campus for the first time in 20-plus years.

“To have the camp back here after 21 years is a true testament to the evolution of college football in this area,” said Bruney. “Now that we have two full-time Division II programs in the Mountain East Conference playing in this area college football in this area has kind of taken off, but it’s always going to be about the OVAC. This game is very important to young men and young ladies, and it is kicks off football season in the area.”

The players also be exposed to Coach Bruney’s football team culture. President Favede and Hanna noted that in just two years, Bruney has built a football program in the right way – from the ground up. In this short time, his Cardinals are a .500 program, which is no small accomplishment for a new program.