Fairmont, W.Va. – Dan Kupets, a 72‑year‑old native of Brownsville, Pennsylvania who has called Fayette County home for decades, was enshrined in the Fairmont State University Athletics Hall of Fame during the school’s Homecoming weekend on Oct. 2.
From high‑school standout to college record‑setter
Kupets graduated from Brownsville Area High School before becoming a four‑year baseball letterman at Fairmont State from 1973‑76. He quickly earned a reputation as one of the program’s most prolific hitters, capturing All‑WVIAC honors in each of his final three seasons. In 1976 he was named the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year after leading the league with a .444 batting average, 20 RBIs and 45 total bases, ranking 14th nationally in batting average.
Coaching milestones and community leadership
After his playing days, Kupets returned to Fairmont State as head baseball coach from 1984‑86, guiding the Falcons to a 14‑win season, a third‑place WVIAC finish and the program’s first appearance in the conference tournament. He later served three seasons (2016‑18) as an assistant and hitting coach, during which seven Falcons earned All‑MEC honors.
Beyond the university, Kupets has devoted four decades to baseball in Fayette County. He played until age 58, coached high‑school teams, and held leadership roles in the Fayette County Baseball League, including a stint as league president while also managing and playing for multiple clubs.
Family, faith and a lifelong love of the game
Accompanied to the ceremony by his wife Joyce Berkley Kupets, daughters Kara Wolfe and Katie White, son Casey, and their spouses, Kupets reflected on the honor. “For being 72‑years‑old and getting the call, it was pretty surprising,” he said. “I didn’t think about being in a Hall of Fame when I was playing. I’m glad they don’t forget about the wood‑bat guys.”
Kupets recalled his early start at age 11 with a wooden bat and expressed mixed feelings about modern equipment, calling today’s gear “mind‑boggling.” He also noted the evolution of the sport, lamenting the loss of classic strategies like the hit‑and‑run.
Legacy in the community
Even after stepping away from active play, Kupets remains a fixture in the local baseball scene, watching his grandchildren enjoy the game while occasionally finding it hard to follow contemporary styles. His dedication to Fairmont State and Fayette County baseball exemplifies the enduring impact one individual can have on both a university program and the surrounding community.
The Hall of Fame induction not only honors Kupets’ statistical achievements but also his decades‑long commitment to mentoring young athletes, fostering a love of the game, and strengthening the fabric of local sports culture.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
