09/05/2026
Marysville High School Names Football Field
For Martins Ferry Native Rich Weiskircher
By Jeff Harrison
Martins Ferry native Rich Weiskircher received a big surprise Friday night.
Weiskircher – a 1969 graduate of MFHS and a 2017 inductee into the Martins Ferry Athletic Hall of Fame – had his name literally etched into Marysville High School athletic history when the Monarchs’ football field was named “Weiskircher Field” in his honor prior to the home opener against Lancaster.
The now 75-year-old Weiskircher cut his coaching teeth as a Purple Rider assistant from 1974-85, also serving as the head girls’ basketball coach from 1978-85.
He became head football coach at Buckeye North High for three years (1984-86), posting a 28-4 record. He was named OVAC and AP Eastern District Coach of the Year in 1985 and ’86 for leading the Huskies to the OHSAA playoffs and was tabbed the Ohio Division IV Coach of the Year in 1986.
Weiskircher moved on to Marysville High in central Ohio where he coached from 1987-2006 with a 122-80 record. His teams reached the OHSAA playoffs five times (1991, ’94, ’99, 2000, ’01).
He was named Ohio Capital Conference Coach of the Year five times (1991, ’94, ’99, 2000, ’01); Ohio Region 10 Coach of the Year twice (1991 and 2000); Central District Football Coaches Association twice (1999, 2000) and he was an assistant coach for the Ohio Big 33 All-Star Team in 2000. He was also an assistant boys’ track coach at Marysville for six years.
His overall high school head coaching record was 150-84.
He was a member of The Ohio State University coaching staff beginning in 2007 as program assistant (football recruiting and academics); academic encourager for football (2008-2012); and academic assistant for football (2012-2014).
As an athlete at MFHS, Weiskircher was a three-year letterman/starter at quarterback and safety on the football team, earning honorable mention all-OVAC and all-Eastern District recognition.
He was a three-year letterman in basketball, serving as team captain as a senior and gaining all-OVAC honorable mention.
In track, he again lettered three times, competing in various events including the 400, high jump, long jump, 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400. He was a member of the school-record 4x400-yard relay team and earned all-OVAC honorable mention.
Weiskircher went on to a fine career on the gridiron at West Virginia University, earning three letters and starting two years at cornerback under Coach Bobby Bowden. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in physical education, health and recreation with minors in speech communication and driver’s education.
In addition to the Martins Ferry Athletic Hall of Fame, Weiskircher is also a member of the Marysville High School Hall of Fame and the Central District Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
