The West Virginia sports community is mourning the loss of Dave Poe, a legendary sports editor and a defining voice in regional journalism for nearly four decades. Poe passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the age of 71.
Known as a “wrestling guru” and a staunch advocate for youth athletics, Poe’s career spanned several major publications, including The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, The Charleston Gazette, and The Marietta Times.
A Career Dedicated to the “Big Story”
Poe’s journey through West Virginia journalism was marked by a relentless pursuit of local narratives and an encyclopedic knowledge of regional sports.
Early Career: He began his career at the Parkersburg News before moving to Charleston. He returned to the Mid-Ohio Valley in 1983, covering city hall and sports for The Times.
WVU Beat: In 1987, he was hired to cover West Virginia University (WVU) athletics, a role he held with distinction, often providing sharp, opinionated analysis on the Mountaineers.
Leadership: He served as the long-time sports editor for The Parkersburg News and Sentinel until his retirement in November 2014.
Retirement Broadcasts: Even after stepping away from the newsroom, Poe remained active, providing color analysis for Williamstown High School sports broadcasts.
The “Wrestling Guru” & Advocate for Youth
While he covered every sport from football to basketball, Poe was most renowned for his passion for wrestling.
| Attribute | Legacy Impact |
| Integrity | Known for never writing derogatory comments about high school athletes, focusing always on their growth. |
| Expertise | Considered a premier authority on high school wrestling in the state of West Virginia. |
| Mentorship | Former players and coaches, including those from Parkersburg South, remember him as a friend who “really cared” about the people behind the stats. |
| Personality | Described by colleagues as an “excellent writer” who was “very opinionated” but always professional. |
Tributes from the Community
Colleagues and local figures have spent the week sharing memories of a man who was as comfortable in the press box as he was at a high school gymnasium.
“He did his job professionally, and he really cared. We became good friends because of the relationship we had, and that carried over to his professional life.” — Mike Hayden, Former Parkersburg South Football Coach
“He was a wrestling guru. He was for the kids… never, never a bad word.” — Dave Hall, Williamstown High School Broadcaster
