ATHENS, W.Va. – With so many new faces around the Carter Center for the 2025-26 school year, the Concord Sports Information Department will be highlighting all full-time employees in a Get to Know series throughout the first few weeks of the new athletic year.
Whether those friendly faces have been in Athens for five days or five decades, you'll know more about everyone in the Concord Athletic Department.
Name: Wes McKinney
Position: Sports Information Director
College Alma Mater: Concord (Bachelor's)
Year(s) at Concord: 13
How did you land at Concord?
I came to Concord as a student-athlete on the cross country and track & field teams in 2009. I was offered a graduate assistant position in the sports information office four years later. In 2014, I assumed the full-time role as sports information director.
Tell us a little bit about where you're from?
I'm from a small town in the north central part of the state, Masontown, West Virginia. It's located about 30 minutes from Morgantown. It's an area that is built on hard work and having a chip on your shoulder. I've tried to adopt that mentality in my day-to-day duties. Masontown is located in Preston County which is known for the world-famous Buckwheat Festival.
What's been your most rewarding experience as an athlete or coach?
There's way too many experiences to pick from. I like seeing athletes succeed in sport and competition. And I like being able to tell their stories and successes.
Outside of family, who's had the biggest positive influence on your life?
Tough question. There's several people that I feel like have made an impact on my life. My high school coach, Paul Martin. My college coach, Mike Cox. And two really good friends, Craig Pritt and Lance McDaniel.
What makes Concord such a special place?
The support system that develops around you.
Favorite vacation spot?
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee or Nashville
Go-to junk food?
Most any kind of chips. Also my sweet tooth is bad, so give me any kind of chocolate.
What advice would you give today's college student that you found the most valuable?
Give yourself a chance. You may not come in and be the best right away, but develop your skills and be the hardest worker in the room, and eventually you'll see the fruits of your labor pay off. And control what you can control.
What's one bucket list item that you have crossed off and are most proud of?
Being a dad ranks up there pretty high. Doing an MLB stadium tour in the summer of 2024 allowed me to cross visiting Fenway Park (Boston) and Yankee Stadium (New York) off my bucket list.
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