Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BLUEFIELD — Bob Pruett is a friend of coal. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same, and that worries the former Marshall football coach.“Right now the coal industry is under attack, it really is, it is under attack,” said Pruett, who served as the guest speaker for the Bluefield Rotary Club on Tuesday at the Holiday Inn. “I am not a political person, I’m really not, I’m not running for office.
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BLUEFIELD — Is it possible to use a football game as inspiration for a state whose most important natural resource is under attack.Why not? Who would have expected Marshall to win the GMAC Bowl in 2001, trailing 38-8 at halftime.
Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, said, “Not only is Greg a world-class racer, but he’s a West Virginia native who through his work in and around the coal industry understands the important role coal plays in everyone’s lives. We’ll all be rooting for him while he’s on tour and we’re sure he’ll pull out a bunch of wins.”
A Point Pleasant, West Virginia native, Fowler is an accomplished drag racer competing in the IHRA’s Hot Rod Sportsman’s Class. In 2007 he was the IHRA Division I Champion in the eastern U.S. and finished the year 7th in the world. In 2008, he finished 16th in the world.
Fowler’s 1980 Camero is powered by an 850 horsepower, 498 cubic inch engine and the lightening fast car now has the Friends of Coal logo emblazoned on the side.
“I’m proud to have the opportunity to showcase West Virginia coal and the benefit it provides to our state and nation as I travel the IHRA circuit,” Fowler said. “Working with the industry and having a tool like my car is a perfect fit. Race fans understand the need for power and I look forward to telling them what’s under the hood, so to speak, in West Virginia.”
Fowler plans to compete at the remaining IHRA National events and at the Divisional events in New York and Pittsburgh. The remaining National event schedule includes July 31-Aug. 2 IHRA Northern Nationals in Martin, MI; the Sept. 11-13 IHRA North American Nationals in Epping, NH; the Sept. 25-27 IHRA President’s Cup Nationals and the World Finals in Rockingham, NC Oct 22–25.
For additional information, contact Bill Raney at (304) 342-4153.
May 28, 2009 · The president of the West Virginia Coal Association visited St. Francis Elementary school in Beckley.
Raney spoke with third graders as part of a Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary project called Coal in the Classroom. St. Francis was the first school to adopt the curriculum but it’s expected to expand to the public school system this fall.
The fifth and final Coal in the Classroom session wrapped up on Wednesday.
Now, Morgan Hylton says she has a better understanding of what her dad does for a living.
“My dad is an above ground miner,” Hylton said. “Learn they burn coal to make electricity if we didn’t have it we wouldn’t be able to have a lot of stuff.”
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West Virginia Coal Association Annual Symposium, January 10-12 |
Spirit of Beckley awarded to Friends of Coal founder, Dec. 3, 2006 | Friends of Coal Soccer Fields at Trace Fork, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Oct. 7, 2006 | Friends of Coal Bowl, Sept. 2, 2006 | Friends of Coal Bowl Game Viewing Parties, Sept. 2, 2006 |
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| Friends of Coal sponsored Paint the Capital Green, Aug. 17, 2006 | Friends of Coal At The State Fair August 12, 2006 | Friends of Coal Auto Fair Concert. July 22, 2006 | Friends of Coal is making an appearance in Iraq. | Friends of Coal night at the Power Park with spokesperson Jeremy Starks - June 22, 2006 |
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| WV Coal Festival in Madison - June 22, 2006 | BrickStreet event with guest speaker, FOC spokesperson, Bob Pruett – June 12, 2006 | WV Coal Hall of Fame Inductions, May 5, 2006 | WVSSAC Basketball State Championships, March 11th and March 18th | Friends of Coal Honor Mine Rescue Teams, March 2, 2006 |
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| 17th Annual Mountain State Coal Classic, January 29th-February 4th, 2006 | WV Mining Symposium, January 18th-20th, 2006 |
