Long-time Rio Grande Assistant Coach Dies
Long-time Rio Grande Assistant Coach Dies
Rio Grande Sports Information
RIO GRANDE, Ohio - Long-time University of Rio Grande track & field assistant coach Burt Wood died Saturday morning after suffering a medical emergency while hunting on his family's farm.
Wood was in his 16th season working with the RedStorm's throwers.
"He was such a hard worker and was so gifted in that he could watch someone throw, be able to see what they were doing wrong and then tell that person how to fix it," said Bob Willey, Rio Grande's long-time track & field head coach. "He studied so much and was so knowledgeable. It seemed like he had at least one thrower qualifying for nationals every year. There's no way we'll be able to replace him."
Wood, 44, was a Gallia County native and a 1996 graduate of Gallia Academy High School, where he was a three-time state champion thrower during his prep career. He was inducted into the school's athletic Hall of Fame in 2016 and held the state record in the shot put for 10 years with a toss of more than 62 feet.
He went on to attend the University of Tennessee and competed unattached at numerous events while being redshirted as a freshman.
His career was cut short, however, due to a nerve injury in his throwing arm prior to the start of the following season.
"I recruited him while he was at Gallia Academy, but he really wanted to go to Tennessee," Willey said. "They decided to redshirt him, but he had throws of over 200 feet in both the discus and the hammer while competing unattached. After he left Tennessee, he came back and asked if he could help us here and the rest is history. We're just heartbroken and devastated that he's gone."
Rio Grande athletic director Jeff Lanham echoed Willey's sentiments.
"Burt was a legendary coach with Rio track & field. I'd call him a hometown guy. He sure loved Rio track, his family and friends," Lanham said. "Burt was a very talented coach with the field events. He enjoyed seeing student-athletes grow during their journey with him and he could often be seen helping opposing student-athletes to develop their skills. That was proof of his love for his sport. We were very fortunate to have Burt in our lives and will miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Burt's family."
Wood was employed on a full-time basis by the City of Gallipolis.
Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 at the Grace United Methodist Church, located at 600 2nd Ave. in Gallipolis.
Burial will follow in the Ohio Valley Memory Gardens, 1229 Neighborhood Road in Gallipolis.
Family and friends may call at the church on Tuesday, Dec. 20, from 6-8 p.m., and at the church on Wednesday, one hour prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, online contributions may be made to the Burt Wood Memorial Scholarship Fund at https://www.rio.edu/giving.