This category – entering its ninth year – serves as a way to thank those people who have made significant contributions or support to the athletic program, not as an athlete or coach, but in a variety of “behind the scenes”, motivational or inspirational ways.

This year’s selections are Roger Best, Vance Deihl, Paul Matuska and Nancy Shaffer,

While not directly part of the Hall of Fame, these individuals will be honored during Hall of Fame Day – both at the afternoon reception at the high school and during on-field ceremonies at halftime of the Purple Riders’ home game against River on Friday, August 30 – and their photos will be placed directly across from the Hall of Fame display outside the cafeteria at MFHS.

Previous honorees to the “Wall of Honor” were Jim Knellinger, Bill Meyers, Bill Pratt and Dr. Divakar Bangera (2016); John Applegarth, Fred Beck, Henry McCue and Robert “Shorty” Wilson (2017); Frank W. Bowen, Annie C. Tanks, Robert McNabb and Larry Deaton (2018); Warren Hood, Tony Collette, Russ Armstrong and Tony Suriano (2019); Larry Green, Heloise Knapp, Gail Horner and Bob Zilai (2020); Jack Boston, Ron Holzopfel, Larry Riser and Dr. Harold Meyer (2021); Evert Briggs, Ken Campanizzi, Bob Hill and Joe Kosar (2022); Joe Gala, Roxie Siburt, Edmund “Half” Joseph and Dwayne “Bubba” Coleman (2023).

Vance Deihl

Here’s a look at this year’s selections:

Roger Best

Best was a contributor to Purple Rider athletics in a variety of ways for more than four decades.

He served as head boys’ basketball coach from 1964-70, posting a 65-51 record with two sectional titles. He was also the head baseball coach from 1987-1996, with the Riders finishing as OVAC runner-up on multiple occasions.

He was a long-time booster and supporter of MFHS sports and he coached summer baseball for the Martins Ferry Civics for several years.

Paul Matuska

Best – a graduate of Maysville High School – was a high school math teacher and guidance counselor who later served on the Martins Ferry Board of Education and was on the Belmont–Monroe Career Center Board of Education. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 69.

Vance Deihl

Deihl was involved in Purple Rider athletics for 30 years as an assistant coach and athletic trainer. He was one of those individuals who would lend a hand when anyone needed help.

He was a history teacher at MFHS and a member of the Martins Ferry Education Association. He graduated from Big Spring High School in Pennsylvania; got his bachelor’s degree from West Liberty State College where he was a member of the Hilltoppers’ football team and his master’s degree from the University of Detroit.

He passed away in 2010 at the age of 69 and the “Vance Deihl Memorial Golf Scramble” named in his honor has taken place ever since, with proceeds going to a scholarship for a Martins Ferry senior.

Nancy Shaffer

Paul Matuska

Matuska has contributed to Purple Rider athletics in a variety of ways dating back to 1990 when he began his teaching/coaching career at Martins Ferry.

His coaching involvement included assistant track coach for a quarter of a century; football assistant for more than two decades and many years as a boys’ basketball and volleyball assistant. He was head girls’ basketball coach for two seasons (2017-2018). He was also responsible for the formation of the Purple Riders’ indoor track program.

In addition to his athletic contributions, Matuska has also served as National Honor Society advisor and Chy-Phy advisor; launched the Renaissance Program at MFHS, an incentive program designed to increase student academic achievement, decrease absenteeism and improve school climate by reducing discipline problems; served as a member of school’s district leadership team; became president of the Martins Ferry Education Association in 2011; and was honored as a “Master Teacher” by the state of Ohio.

Matuska also helped prepare food for the annual Athletic Hall of Fame luncheon for the first nine years, among his many behind the scenes contributions to MFHS.

A native of Shadyside and a 1982 graduate of St. John Central, he was a three-sport athlete in high school who was first team All-Ohio, All-Eastern District and All-OVAC in football. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Ohio University.

Nancy Shaffer

Shaffer was a 1965 graduate of Malone University in Canton with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with an emphasis on Tuba. In 1980 she earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Dayton University.

While in high school, she became proficient in tuba performance and this resulted in an invitation to join the School Band of America. In 1963 she traveled through seven European countries performing with the band. She later performed with them again in 1968 at the World’s Fair in Montreal, Canada.

In 1965, she was employed by the Martins Ferry School District as their first female instrumental music instructor and Junior High Band Director and Assistant High School Band Director.

For 35 years, she shared her love and knowledge of music with the children of the district and prepared them for participation in the high school marching and concert bands while working in concert with another Wall of Honor selection, long-time MFHS Band Director Russ Armstrong. She was also the Music Administrator for the school district and the first director of the MFHS Alumni Marching Band.

Shaffer’s legacy is an example of what women can accomplish when given the opportunity, which led to many young women joining her as band directors in school districts throughout the Ohio Valley.

Professionally, Shaffer performed in the Canton Symphony from 1966-1968 for 25 years (1967-1993), she performed in the Wheeling Symphony, and she was the first female principal tuba performer in both orchestras. Upon her retirement, she became a member and participant in both the Wheeling Park and Oglebay Park women’s golf leagues and the St Clair Lanes bowling leagues. She continued her musical performances volunteering with the Cambridge City Band and later the Hernando Symphony in Florida.

Shaffer passed away in 2023 at the age of 80.