John “Ted” Mattern

(Class of 1958)

Physicality, rebounding and scoring were all plus features in Ted Mattern’s game during his stellar basketball career at Wheeling Central Catholic High School. The three-year starter twice was named to the West Virginia Catholic all-state team and following his senior year Mattern earned a first-team berth on the Mountain State’s “big school” honor squad. He broke into the Maroon Knights’ starting lineup as a sophomore, averaging eight points and nine rebounds as CCHS won the state Catholic tournament. The following year saw the rugged front court performer up his average to 17.4 points and 11 rebounds earning first team laurels on the all-City, all-Ohio Valley Athletic Conference and all-Catholic honor squads. Mattern saved his best for his senior year, averaging  21.6 points and 12 rebounds in sparking the Maroon Knights to another state crown. In the season-ending tournament, Central Catholic upset undefeated and nationally-ranked Parkersburg Catholic in the semifinals and then knocked off Huntington St. Joseph in the title game. In addition to making the first-team all-state Catholic and all-WV Big School squads. Mattern captained both all-City and all-OVAC clubs. He then was selected to play in the Ohio-West Virginia All-Star Game.

  Mattern  played three years of football at Central Catholic. The two-way end part-time middle linebacker earned three letters and was named to the all-City team as a junior.

 Although his collegiate career was interrupted by a back injury for one season and three years in the military, Mattern continued his winning ways by  playing on West Liberty University’s WV Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship team in 1960. Ted returned to the Hilltop campus for his senior year in 1966-67, averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds a game.

  After graduation, Mattern was an assistant coach for three seasons at West Liberty and then began a lengthy and highly successful career in teaching and administration in his home state.

  His first job as a principal was at Triadelphia High School prior to the Ohio County consolidation. He was an assistant principal and principal  in several counties throughout the state, often being sent in by the State Board of Education to help rescue schools in financial or academic deficiencies.   He also was appointed to serve on he Board of Governors of Southern West Virginia Community College  and then named by Governor Joe Manchin to the West Virginia University Board of Governors.  Prior to retiring in 2011, Mattern had a two-year term as the State Superintendent of Schools and he still serves as as a liaison between the WV Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools. In 2011, Gov. Manchin named Mattern as a Distinguished West Virginian.