West Virginia State University Athletics

Publication: THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE
Published: Thursday, August 01, 2002
Page: P1P
Byline: Ben Calwell

bcalwell@cnpapers.com Michael Gallion is a bear of a man who walks confidently and speaks softly.

He's a former professional football player and a retired coach, teacher and boxing official. He's devoted most of his life to athletics, but is now an actor and a minister.

Gallion, a Native American and a graduate of West Virginia State College, was honored recently in the nation's capital for his contributions to athletics. He was inducted into the Washington, D.C., Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame for his achievements in coaching track, cross country and boxing.

Gallion taught and coached at Cardozo High School in Washington, D.C., where his track teams won seven cross-country championships.

He was born in White Oak, Okla., and came to Dunbar in 1946. As a student at Dunbar High School, he lettered in football, basketball and track. While attending DHS, his football talents caught the attention of the football coach at State.

"Coach Burris at West Virginia State thought I had potential for football," said Gallion, who splits his time between homes in Institute and Washington.

He enrolled at State and was twice named to All West Virginia Conference football teams. He is also a former record holder in the shotput for the West Virginia Conference and was a four-time state conference performer in track.

"I was the first Native American to participate in football and track at West Virginia State. I was also inducted into the West Virginia State College Sports Hall of Fame in 1991," Gallion said.

After graduating from State, Gallion played professional football for the Quebec Rifles of the Canadian Football League, and in 1965, he played football for the Charleston Rockets.

"After that I went to D.C. and got into coaching at Cardozo High.

During that time, I also became chief of officials for the Washington, D.C., Boxing Commission," he said.

He established the first weightlifting program in Washington, D.C., schools in 1968, and he encouraged and assisted Cardozo High athletes to attend West Virginia State.

"I recognized growing up that sports could help you find yourself. In the inner city, lots of guys don't get the encouragement they need at home," Gallion said.

In recent years, Gallion has been involved in acting "and performing my ministry in spiritualism in the Washington, D.C., and Charleston areas." Gallion said he started acting about five years ago and is now a member of the Screen Actors Guild. He's appeared in television promotional pieces for the American Red Cross and other organizations.

Although he maintains residences in Institute and Washington and has traveled to 68 countries, Gallion said he would probably move permanently to West Virginia.

West Virginia "is a beautiful, spiritual area. The people are humble, and they see the best side of people. There is poverty, but the people help each other," he said.