CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Clarksburg native Jimbo Fisher is a lifetime athlete, dedicating many years to athletics, and even decades after calling Harrison County his home, he still gives back to the athletes of his home community.
Fisher alma mater, Liberty High School, dedicated its strength and conditioning facility to the new Texas A&M head coach in a ceremony Monday.
In 2016, Liberty staff and coaches decided it was necessary for a bigger facility due to the increasing number of students interested in fitness.
According to Principal Pamela Knight, the school held fundraisers to help pay for the building, but it would not have been possible without generous donations like the one from former Liberty Mountaineer, Jimbo Fisher.
In an area that is unfortunately affected by drug use and obesity, Strength and Conditioning Coach A.J. Harman said the greatest thing that came from the new facility is the passion students are getting for fitness.
“Thank God for people like you, Coach, that are giving them another chance, for giving them something better to work for,” Harman said, speaking of Fisher.
The facility is now known as the “Jimbo Fisher Strength and Conditioning Facility,” serving Liberty High School and Mountaineer Middle School students year-round, helping to instill values of hard work and goal-setting in them.
“Being able to come back and give back and help these kids that walk these hallways, I had dreams when I was there and luckily God blessed me and I got the right opportunities I was able to capitalize on it and I hope you all do too,” Fisher said. “Take advantage of it. Wear it out. A.J., don’t cut ’em a break. Wear ’em out.”
Fisher expressed his humbleness for the dedication.
“Hopefully this building can help some young man or young woman live her dreams and go to where she wants to go,” he said. “And more importantly take a ball and turn it into a life.”
Fisher was an all-state athlete at Liberty High School, college football player and served as a coach for different college football teams since 1998. He will take the place as head coach for the Texas A&M Aggies this football season.
This story was written by Hannah Williams.