The Putnam County School Board, the town of Winfield, the Putnam County Commission, and the Office of the Governor of West Virginia all turned out to honor National Girl's High School Track Coach of the Year David Bailey of Winfield High.

Coach Bailey, who has coached at Winfield High School for 21 of his 28 years in the Putnam County school system, received notification in January that he had been named West Virginia's Track Coach of the Year. He later was named Regional Coach of the Year, and finally, National Track Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High School Coaches Association.

Bailey gave all the credit for his honor to others. "Without the administration, athletes, and teachers of Winfield High School, and my family, this wouldn't have happened," he said. In addressing the student body at an assembly in his honor, Bailey stated, "Thank you for being part of Winfield High School. No one will ever appreciate you more than I. I love you for what you do; I love you for who you are."

Bailey is the first coach in the state to be named a National Coach of the Year in any sport, according to Principal Bill Hughes.

Superintendent of Schools Chuck Hatfield praised Bailey, a product of the Putnam County school system for his dedication. "He has reason to be proud," Hatfield stated, "He won this because of the long hours and the dedication it takes to do what he has done."