New scholarship by four SHS/WLU friends, athletes established | News, Sports, Jobs

GIVING BACK — From left, John Blangor, Bryan Bunch, Neal Hudson and Clifton Spinner gather on the campus of West Liberty University where they all pursued studies after graduating from Steubenville High School. The four Steubenville High School graduates who left the, but hope others will continue to make the effort to give back a reality.
— Contributed

WEST LIBERTY — Just what does a college education mean for those dreaming of success? Everything — agree four former athletes who left their mark on the Steubenville Big Red and the West Liberty University Hilltopper Athletics.

“We are proud graduates of Steubenville High School, who all went on to attend West Liberty University,” explained Clifton Spinner, a 1987 alumnus of WLU and current resident of Columbus.

“My friends John Blangor, Bryan Bunch, Neal Hudson and I have been wanting to give back to our community for a long time. After a lot of thought, planning and prayers, we decided to establish a scholarship to send students from Steubenville High School to West Liberty University,” Spinner explained.

In 2022, Blangor, Bunch, Hudson and Spinner established this scholarship for the financial benefit of students from Steubenville High School. The four men grew up together in Steubenville and have been friends since the third grade. They attended Steubenville High School, played football and wrestled together.

After graduating high school, they moved on to West Liberty together.

Bunch was awarded a wrestling scholarship and had a successful athletic career as a three-time All-American. He was inducted into the WLU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.

Blangor, who was his roommate, also wrestled and was named an All-American. Spinner and Hudson were roommates, and both played football.

Spinner was fortunate enough to have a scholarship. Hudson completed his freshman year, then, in 1985, made the difficult decision to join the Air Force because of financial challenges that made college out of reach for him.

Hudson’s story remains an inspiration to the entire group, who all went on to pursue successful careers. The former Steubenville residents note that they have a passion for helping students from Steubenville High School pursue higher learning at WLU.

“It’s all about advancing opportunity for these students. Our parents instilled Christian values and encouraged us to always keep God first. It is these values and many prayers that have inspired us to pay it forward,” Spinner explained.

“West Liberty is a special place to each of them, and they found inspirational mentors like legendary head coach Vince Monseau,” noted Angie Zambito-Hill, president of the WLU Foundation which manages and will distribute the scholarship fund.

“Academically, all majored in criminal justice. Bryan and John joined Clifton in becoming criminal justice majors because there were good job opportunities available in the field,” Zambito-Hill said.

Bunch went on to work as a correctional officer for 25 years and was transferred all over the country while working for the Federal Bureau of Prison. Blangor also worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons for 30 years, retiring as a commander.

Spinner joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol as a trooper and retired as a commander after a successful 28-year career. He went on to become the director of public safety at Franklin University and now serves as security chief at Battelle, headquartered in Columbus.

After his career with the Air Force, Hudson went on to become a manager at a business in Indiana. All of the men remain active working for other organizations since their retirements.

“All four of us believe in the value of education, our community and our alma mater,” Spinner said.

We know how important a college degree is, and we are looking forward to helping students from our hometown move ahead. But we need others to help make this a reality,” Spinner added.

According to Zambito-Hill, the new scholarship must reach at least $25,000 to be endowed at the level that awards to students can begin.

“The goal for this new scholarship effort is to reach at least $25,000 to endow this scholarship and provide perpetual resources to students from Steubenville High School who are enrolling at WLU for many years to come. Donations will allow our students to pursue a degree in higher education,” Zambito-Hill said.

“We are seeking other donors to join us in growing this much-needed scholarship. No dollar amount is too small — everything helps. Please feel free to share this information with others through your social media or through other means. Thank you for your support. We truly look forward to making this dream come true,” Spinner said.

Scholarship contributions to the WLU Foundation are 100 percent tax deductible and assist WLU students directly.

To donate safely online click: wlufoundation.org/give. In the “Special Request Box,” indicate that the donation is for the Blangor, Bunch, Hudson and Spinner Scholarship or simply BBH&S Scholarship to ensure that the gift is properly registered.

For information on the WLU Foundation, call (304) 336-5635. For information on WLU and financial aid available, contact westliberty.edu/financial-aid (westliberty.edu) or call the office of financial aid at (304) 336-8016.

— WLU —