If you’ve had any involvement with Athens High School during the last 50 years, more than likely you’ve met Wilson Blair.

Blair – a 1960 alumnus of Athens – has worked at the school for over four decades. During that time he’s maintained constant involvement with the school’s athletic programs as both a radio broadcaster and a loyal fan.

“You can’t mention Athens High School without bringing up Wilson Blair,” Athens football coach Allen Creasy said. “When we first came to Athens, the person we went to find out about the history and tradition of the program was Wilson. He’s been around this school for a long time and has always been one of its biggest supporters.”

Blair has had a lot of interaction with Athens athletes and coaches over the years, and they all have their own Wilson Blair stories. Here are just a few comments people have made about one of the Golden Eagles’ biggest supporters:



• “If anyone ever has been a true Golden Eagle, it’s Wilson Blair,” said East Limestone football coach Jeff Pugh, a former Athens and Jacksonville State football player. “I remember when we were just getting old enough to play football in high school, he would be at the stadium every day. We all thought he was a coach. In fact we called him coach Blair.

“The best thing about Wilson is that if you were a Golden Eagle, then he would support you forever. Before our (East Limestone) game with Athens this year, Wilson told me ‘You know I can’t pull for you tonight, but you know I’m pulling for you.’ That’s just the kind of guy he is. He’s a wonderful person and a lot of people are lucky to have had him involved in their lives.”



• “I’ve known Wilson ever since he was in the 10th or 11th grade, which is probably over 50 years ago,” said former Athens coach Marvin Young. “If anybody knows Wilson, it’s me. Wilson has always been around here helping out, doing things like getting line-ups and stuff like that. Wilson knows how special the tradition is at Athens. It really speaks well of the school that someone would stay here and devote that much time helping out.”



• “I think if you cut Wilson open, he’d bleed black and gold,” said Athens girls basketball coach Eddie Murphree. “The first word that comes to my mind when someone says Wilson Blair is legend. He knows more about this school and its history than anybody. It’s because he loves this place. He’s a very special person, and the student athletes here at Athens are lucky to have someone who loves this school’s athletic programs that much. He lets the players know how much he supports them by giving them encouragement anytime he sees them. Athens is lucky to have had a guy like him around.”



• “Wilson is packed full of knowledge about Athens,” said WVNN radio broadcaster Rich Herl. “When I first came here, I didn’t know much about Athens because I’m from Ohio. Wilson made sure I found out about the tradition and history at Athens. I’d say he’s one of our biggest supporters.”