WVU Sports Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2020

Written by Charlie Healy

Collegiate: Earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Springfield College in 1964 and a master’s degree in physical education administration from Bemidji State in 1965

Professional at WVU: Served as WVU men’s soccer head coach for 27 years, from 1969-95 … Earned a record of 202-181-45 at West Virginia and is the only coach in program history with more than 200 wins and the first of two with more than 50 wins … Coached West Virginia to five NCAA Tournaments, in 1971, 72, 73, 81 and 92 … Advanced to the third round of the 1981 NCAA Tournament, one goal shy of reaching the final four … Led WVU to a 1992 Atlantic 10 Tournament championship … Coached nine All-Americans and 17 All-Region honorees … Totaled 17 winning seasons and eight 10-win seasons … Took over the Mountaineers in their ninth season as a varsity program in 1969 … West Virginia was an independent in his first 18 seasons at the helm, before joining the Atlantic 10 in 1987 and the Big East in 1995 … Also served as a professor in the West Virginia School of Physical Education while at WVU … Prior to West Virginia, was an assistant coach at Cortland (N.Y.) College for one season and head soccer and basketball coach at Keystone Junior College for two years … Posted a record of 17-1-1 as Keystone’s soccer coach, and led the 1964 team to a fourth-place finish at the National Junior College championships.

Awards/Honors: Member of the NCAA Advisory Committee (past).

Personal: McGrath and his wife, Carolyn, have two children, Cherylen and John Ryan.