2003 Award Honoree

Paul Moore
West Virginia Wesleyan College
National Collegiate Athletic Association

On November 2, 2002, cross country teams from the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) met to compete in the conference championships. These men and women were out to show who was the best in their sport. What they found was much greater than just recording the top finishing times.

Paul Moore, a senior from West Virginia Wesleyan; Ryan Donahue, a senior from Wheeling Jesuit; and A. J. Monseau, a fifth-year senior from West Liberty State College, were among the cross country runners vying for the conference title. Donahue crossed the finish line ahead of Monseau. They congratulated each other on their races. Monseau asked Donahue where he had placed and Donohue responded by saying 10th place. By placing 10th, Donahue secured a spot on the All-Conference team.

A short time later, as the top-place finishers and awards were handed out, Donahue's name was left of the list. Instead, 10th place had been awarded to Paul Moore of West Virginia Wesleyan. Moore and Donohue sprinted to the finish together, with Donahue out-leaning Moore; however, there was a slight problem.

For this race, a small computer chip had been placed on the shoes of each runner. Donahue had crossed the finish line first, but somehow Moore's computer chip registered that he had crossed before Donahue.

The story could end here, but thanks to the honesty and integrity of Paul Moore it has a much better ending. Moore knew a mistake had been made. He notified race officials and then made his way to the Wheeling Jesuit bus where Donahue sat dejected. Moore stepped onto the bus and, in front of Donahue and his teammates, apologized for the misunderstanding. Moore conceded 10th place to Donahue and handed him the 10th place plague, which signified the All-Conference honor.

In a letter written by Monseau, he stated that Moore was a courageous athlete who was strong in character. He wrote the following: "Personally, I do not know Paul Moore but he has once again revived my faith in sports. He has given another great example of sportsmanship and I am proud to tell this story."

As the team captain for the men's cross country team, Moore coordinated activities and organized practices according to his coach's direction. Moore supported every athlete, whether they were a teammate or an opponent. He has also worked to raise funds for West Virginia Track Against Cancer.

Paul Moore is the type of athlete who allows us to tell stories of an athlete reaching deep into himself to summon a strength of character, honor and sportsmanship.

He resides in Toronto, Ontario.